Chaingang riding

birdy247

Hi

I am fairly new to chaingang riding and just wanted some advice.

When performing through and off, I sometimes find myself leaving a gap when moving from the inside line to the faster line. I find it hard to keep the wheel.

However, when the hammer drops and the chaingang goes out the window, I can comfortably drop people in the group.

Am I doing something wrong when moving from the back of the slow line, to the faster line? I feel like I have to really work just to stay with the group.

rozzer32

Just practise. If the chaingang is working as it should you should always have the same rider in front of you. So when you notice him at the side of you then you know it's time to get on his wheel soon.

The more you do it the easier it will be and it will soon become second nature.

Life gets more difficult when people start missing turns and just staying at the back not working. But again it comes with practise.

a_n_t

always helps if the last man informs you of the fact as he draws level.

P_Tucker

Ideally, you'll know when the last man is going to come around you; so leave half a wheel gap, and as he comes past you start your acceleration slightly earlier than you apparently do, such that as his back wheel clears your front, you're going near as dammit the same speed as him.

It does depend a lot of the quality of the chaingang - if you've got muppets sprinting through for their turns, then it makes it harder for everyone and difficult to avoid big spikes in effort.

ridelikeapro

Try this on your next chaingang ride:-

Note who the second last rider is, then you're ready for the last rider coming by. Now as the last guy comes past you start edging sideways towards him so that as his rear wheel passes your front wheel you're virtually on it! Careful though, you don't want to be colliding with him. Watch the pros... that's how it's done.

Check out this link:-

http://www.gregarios.co.uk/cycling-club ... d-off.html

SteveR_100Milers

The key is consistency, no sharp acceleration. It takes practice to judge a constant speed (if on the flat) or effort if rolling terrain, and also to judge how much to back of when on the recovery line.

Tonymufc

Are chaingangs specifically for riders preparing to race or can they used for improving strength, fitness, stamina, etc.

benno68

a_n_t wrote:

always helps if the last man informs you of the fact as he draws level.

I agree, nothing hard about calling "last man" and works well.

Remembering who is the last man is is ok, until someone gets dropped and it changes!

sheffsimon

Tonymufc wrote:

Are chaingangs specifically for riders preparing to race or can they used for improving strength, fitness, stamina, etc.

You can use them for whatever you want, but they will improve all the above. Nobody will care why you are there, not round these parts anyway. You need to be reasonably fit though, otherwise you just get blown out the back early and have a nice ride home by yourself.

Was reading about the benefits of motor paced training - Cycling Weekly I think, a small article between the adverts - and how those benefits come from all the little accelerations. Bit like a chaingang I suppose, especially a ropey one.

MikeWW

Tonymufc wrote:

Are chaingangs specifically for riders preparing to race or can they used for improving strength, fitness, stamina, etc.

They will do all of the above. So long as you know what you are doing its fine but bear in mind they tend to be pretty serious

badly_dubbed

i did a chaingang ride tonight, the avg speed didnt drop below 19mph, which is fast for me

markos1963

Tonymufc wrote:

Are chaingangs specifically for riders preparing to race or can they used for improving strength, fitness, stamina, etc.

Can be for all of them. You have to be pretty motivated and fit as others have said. Most chaingangs have a 'no prisoners' policy meaning if you fall off the back you're on your own. I don't mind this and find it motivating to see how far I can hang in with the gang. Have been in some chaingangs that have averaged 22mph!!!(not for too long though!)

Tonymufc

markos1963 wrote:

Tonymufc wrote:

Are chaingangs specifically for riders preparing to race or can they used for improving strength, fitness, stamina, etc.

Can be for all of them. You have to be pretty motivated and fit as others have said. Most chaingangs have a 'no prisoners' policy meaning if you fall off the back you're on your own. I don't mind this and find it motivating to see how far I can hang in with the gang. Have been in some chaingangs that have averaged 22mph!!!(not for too long though!)

Just something for me to aim at once I get a bit fitter and a bit more confident riding in a tight group. Lack the experience at the moment of close riding but after a few months with the new club hopefully I'll be there or there abouts.