My on-the-road Coach

[RaffCycles]

When you ride outside do you:
Ever wondered how smooth you ride?
Feel that your back is rounded too much?
Wonder what your pedal stroke looks like?
Wonder if you're handle bars are too far away or too close?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, take a lesson from the sun. That's right the closest star to Earth can be your coach. If you ride with the sun at the correct angle, you can watch your shadow and make form corrections if needed. It is a great way to check yourself for form breaks since there are no mirrors like some have in our studios.. You can check your upper body movement, check if you're bouncing in the saddle, see if you're pointing your toes during the pedal stroke, and just get a real sense for how you look on the bike. It is a way to get feedback when you're out on your own and hammering down the road.

Remember, your shadow is not an exact representation of how you ride (we could have a physics lesson on this one), but it does give you immediate feedback.

Consider the sun your coaching partner and take a quick look at your shadow, just long enough to see your form, but not long enough to put you at risk of rear-ending a parked car.

Ride on

[lizardbiker]

Very cool suggestion!! I'll give it a try on my next ride.

My wife and son will love it too - now they don't have to drive beside me hanging a full length mirror out the passenger side of the car! :D

[megale3]

Raff this wild! but if you ever see me bouncing on my saddle out of doors stick a tire pump in my spokes- the sudden landing will do me some good :P
Meg

[like2bike]

Wow that is very cool (or hot!). Thanks Raff. I will definitely be paying more attention to this. I love little tips like this so again, thanks! :D

[RaffCycles]

Raff this wild! but if you ever see me bouncing on my saddle out of doors stick a tire pump in my spokes- the sudden landing will do me some good :P
Meg

Just like in Breaking Away!!

[megale3]

Raff this wild! but if you ever see me bouncing on my saddle out of doors stick a tire pump in my spokes- the sudden landing will do me some good :P
Meg

Just like in Breaking Away!!

Yah that was a great movie do you own it?
M

[Pink]

Actually, I have to be careful about shadow-watching. When the sun is directly behind me and my shadow is in front of my wheel, I tend to become mezmorized by it. Honestly, the gentle swaying can put me into a spin-like trance. Not good on the road. But I've actually used the experience to coach spinning.

[kszspin]

With no room for error on these country roads (narrow and no space), I'm afraid to look anywhere but straight ahead and ride that line. If I start watching my shadow I'll be all over the place (more than I am now, if that's at all possible). :roll:

[RaffCycles]

Actually, I have to be careful about shadow-watching. When the sun is directly behind me and my shadow is in front of my wheel, I tend to become mezmorized by it. Honestly, the gentle swaying can put me into a spin-like trance. Not good on the road. But I've actually used the experience to coach spinning.

Pink, I guess you should only take a brief look at your shadow when it is on either side of you. And only do it briefly.

I've been mezmorized on a ride befor. However it wasn't my shadow, it was the beautiful rider in front of me. Her gentel swaying and rounded .... wait, wait !!! I better get back on topic before I get into one of those trances again.

[like2bike]

I've been mezmorized on a ride befor. However it wasn't my shadow, it was the beautiful rider in front of me. Her gentel swaying and rounded .... wait, wait !!! I better get back on topic before I get into one of those trances again.

Ahhhh....how sweet of you to mention that Mrs. Raff puts you in a trance like that! Nice to hear! :D

[RaffCycles]

I've been mezmorized on a ride befor. However it wasn't my shadow, it was the beautiful rider in front of me. Her gentel swaying and rounded .... wait, wait !!! I better get back on topic before I get into one of those trances again.

Ahhhh....how sweet of you to mention that Mrs. Raff puts you in a trance like that! Nice to hear! :D

Who said anything about the Mrs? :wink:

[Pink]

I've been mezmorized on a ride befor. However it wasn't my shadow, it was the beautiful rider in front of me. Her gentel swaying and rounded .... wait, wait !!! I better get back on topic before I get into one of those trances again.

Ahhhh....how sweet of you to mention that Mrs. Raff puts you in a trance like that! Nice to hear! :D

Who said anything about the Mrs? :wink:

Raff, we remember your pride after Mrs. Raff's ride! You can't fool us.

[RaffCycles]

Got me on that one Pink.

[love2spin]

I check my shadow often. :lol: It is like a mirror.
You do have to be careful, which shadow is your own though. :wink:

[lizardbiker]

I check my shadow often. :lol: It is like a mirror.
You do have to be careful, which shadow is your own though. :wink:

The shadow I recognize as my own. It's the voices I have trouble with...

[BFSpin]

Umm . . . good luck with those voices, Liz . . .

I use the shadows most in paceline riding. A quick glance (and I mean quick), gives me a check on the whereabouts and spacing of the line.

Personally, I listen to my body for coaching. If something hurts or gets fatigued out of what's normal for me, I know it's time to adjust.

When I'm out by myself I spend more time saying "hi" to the cows. Now if only they could give coaching feedback . . . :?

B

[RaffCycles]

When I'm out by myself I spend more time saying "hi" to the cows. Now if only they could give coaching feedback . . . :?

B

Don't they tell you to keep Moo...ving. :lol:

[BFSpin]

When I'm out by myself I spend more time saying "hi" to the cows. Now if only they could give coaching feedback . . . :?

B

Don't they tell you to keep Moo...ving. :lol:

:lol: :lol: :lol:

I'll be listening better next time. . . :mrgreen:

Beth