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2023 Event 11: Gravesend, Sunday 24th Sept
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DavidKK View Drop Down
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Points: 124 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DavidKK Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 October 2023 at 2:01pm
I eventually got round to sorting out some photos.  They can be found here https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAYrcf
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Kim View Drop Down
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Points: 1256 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kim Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 October 2023 at 4:55pm
That sequence of Nigel looking uncertain of his line before making a bid for Unfortunate Scotsman is magazine material.  Clap
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NigelSlee View Drop Down
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Points: 161 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote NigelSlee Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 October 2023 at 7:41am
Originally posted by Kim Kim wrote:

That sequence of Nigel looking uncertain of his line before making a bid for Unfortunate Scotsman is magazine material.  Clap

Yes, good support material for an article by an experienced low racer pilot who can shine a light on the mysteries of how to tackle hairpins? 

I still don't really know what I'm doing. I have learnt it's a good idea to practice the bend a few times at a sub race speed or take it easy on the first few laps following someone else to get the feel for entry point, speed and angle. Something I didn't do at Gravesend as this was the time trial.

What surprised me most in David's brilliant camera work, is how much floppy skin I have on my face. In picture two it looks like I'm experiencing a high G Force. Surely that's not the case??

I'm serious about an article if someone wants to write one.


Edited by NigelSlee - 30 October 2023 at 7:44am
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melle View Drop Down
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Points: 198 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote melle Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 October 2023 at 11:44am
I'd certainly be interested in reading that article Nigel, hope someone will write it. I've been riding recumbents on the road for the best part of 25 years, but I'm relatively new to riding one on a track and I tend to lose a lot of speed (and sometimes my balance!) in hairpins.
Optima Stinger | 2x Baron
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Kim View Drop Down
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Points: 1256 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kim Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 October 2023 at 12:16pm
+2

I've been having a bad cornering season.  Dave Minter gave me some good advice at Gravesend, vis the white cones that had obviously been left there to mark the right line to take the bend.  As I wasn't really trying in the longer race, I took the opportunity to try that line at a variety of speeds, and decided it worked up to the point where I chickened out because of the unpredictable sidewind.

The other thing I've discovered, courtesy of the untimely demise of my Streetmachine, is that I'm a lot more confident on the track if I've been riding the Baron on the road vaguely recently.  Dodging potholes and rolling hills do wonders for your bike handling skills.
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russellbridge View Drop Down
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Points: 843 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote russellbridge Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 October 2023 at 1:54pm
I put the cones out to help judge the turn in point and apex for that corner - it was very very easy to overshoot.....oooooooooooo


The best tactic is just to follow someone faster than you.  But not Dan... LOL


Edited by russellbridge - 30 October 2023 at 1:56pm
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LWaB View Drop Down
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Points: 277 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote LWaB Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 October 2023 at 5:23pm
You can get an idea of the theory of fast cornering by studying the ‘racing line’ = wide in, clip the apex, accelerate out wide. This is obvious in any motor racing or when watching a bike racer descending quickly. Aerial shots are brilliant for this.

I have done fast mountain descents (80-110kph) on quite a few upright bikes, tandems and trikes and some recumbent bikes and trikes. The basic theory or racing line doesn’t dramatically change regardless of the machine ridden. I haven’t done a fast descent on a lowracer yet but can’t imagine why that would make a huge difference.

Repeated descents at increasing speed builds confidence. Fit tyres you absolutely trust to stick and don’t push your speed envelope if there is a chance of sand, gravel, oil or wet leaves. Leave that for your second run down, once you are familiar with the locations of dubious road surfaces. Follow a known fast descender reasonably closely to show you the racing line and to see how far they lean, where they brake and how hard. Take the approach that “If they think they can get through this, then so can I.”

Edited by LWaB - 31 October 2023 at 6:20am
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NigelSlee View Drop Down
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Points: 161 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote NigelSlee Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 October 2023 at 11:34pm
Thanks for the replies - almost enough there for an article on cornering!

All we need now are a few simple line drawings of example corners like the hairpin corners at Gravesend and Stourport showing example 'turn in' and apex points and some single lines showing perhaps good, bad and ugly scenarios.

It would also be useful to know about making adjustments to your line once committed. 

And any 'learn from me' tips from those of us who have come off i.e. what we now realise we did wrong.

I've also been trying out some Rugby shorts with protective pads. I now have some practical experience with these and can write about that too. 

Save these extra things for the magazine so please send to editor@bhpc.org.uk or via PM
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NigelSlee View Drop Down
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Points: 161 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote NigelSlee Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 February 2024 at 5:38pm
Originally posted by Kim Kim wrote:

That sequence of Nigel looking uncertain of his line before making a bid for Unfortunate Scotsman is magazine material.  Clap

Originally posted by Nigel Nigel wrote:


I'm serious about an article if someone wants to write one.

I'm now working on #155 issue of Laidback Cyclist - thanks for early cornering contributions. If anyone else has anything to add - or would like to rate three notorious hairpins from 'no sweat' to 'short shredding' then you can do so on this form.
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