Getting up to speed

mikesbytes

I tried a higher gear on my track bike last night, switching from 48/15 to 48/14. A dozen or so laps showed that the gear felt good, so I decided to try some 250mtr standing sprints. What they do, is hold you and as the motor pace goes past, the let you go (they only let you go if the track is clear as you sprint out blind) and you sprint around the outsiide of the motobike and the bikes following. My PB is 17.5 seconds. The first attempt my left calf cramped and I did 18.6 seconds. My Second attempt, I spun the back wheel over a bump and I did 18.3 seconds and then the rain came, so that was the end of that - track closed.

Not really enough data to make a assessment on, but my gut feeling is that I wasn't getting up to speed quickly enough.

I should also note that I do weight lifting before work, approx 13 hours before these sprints, so there is a variation in my performance, based on how stuffed I am on the particular night.

Anyway, what I thinking is that, for whatever reason, I'm accelerating quick enough over the first 50 metres, I need to learn how to get the wheels turning quick enough on a fixed gear.

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alfeng

Why not try an intermediate gearing?

... say, 53t + 16t cog which will give you a 3.31:1 ratio which is about halfway between the two you have indicated (3.20:1 & 3.43:1) ... that may let you accelerate with a smoother power transfer.

taras0000

With times like that, you should be starting the team sprint for your national team.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/track/20.../men_one_lap_tt

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Taras

sv650s

I would say that Mikes time is over 250mt not the 500m that the rest do. Even though that is quite quick! My best 200mt is 12.27 sec which gives me a 500 of about 30sec.

6002

If your P.B. 200m time is 12.2 you will never ride 500m in 30 sec.

And the previous poster is right, if mikebytes is doing 18.3 on a bad day, where has he been hidding?

mikesbytes

How fast do the pro's do 250mtr? Are there some records anywhere? I thought that real trackies did it under 16.5 seconds.

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6002

I think that we have been had.

mikesbytes

Sorry, can you expain your post.

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sogood

As the facts demonstrate, Mike is real pro material...

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Morphed Bianchi Camaleonte IV 2006, Ridley Damocles 2006, Garmin, Mac

mikesbytes

I'm not as fast as Lindsay on the track. On the road is another matter. Sogood, you should drop by for a visit at the track on Monday or Wednesday night.

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sogood

Yes, would love to. Was thinking of it for Monday but being the start of the school term and the foul weather, I postponed it. Will see how next Mon works out.

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Morphed Bianchi Camaleonte IV 2006, Ridley Damocles 2006, Garmin, Mac

mikesbytes

I'd be there about 7.30. Lindsay a bit earlier.

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mikesbytes

They have got it wrong, if I count around the 10 metre markings, it looks like its a 200 metre sprint. That would explain the times.
4 sprints tonight (handl held)
1. Time stuffed up.
2. 17.86
3. 17.69
4. 18.06
Best time tonight was 16.06 by a bloke in his early 20's.

It is really clear that I'm simply not getting up to speed quickly enough.

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sv650s

Just remember mate if you can crack a 10.55 flying 200m sprint you make the national team.