[Bent] A + ride report

[JOHN TETZ]

Steve wrote;

>I once averaged 21.7 on my F40, but that was only for 3 miles.
......Well as terrific as the F-40 is there is quite a large difference between aerodynamics between it and a hardshell streamliner. 

In order to average 21.7 you have to be pushing into a much higher speed. The reason is the ground is seldom flat. Climbing is slow and takes  much longer time. It quickly eats away from the average. Climbs can be say two minutes and downs are 35, to  40 seconds. 
This is one reason up right guys are so proud of their climbing ability. They loose less time even though their top speeds are low. 

I looked at that ride data plot and saw lots of 27 mph stuff, and downs in the 13 mph range and even  few 10 mph.. 

My VFS CdA is around 0.8 sq ft. so at 27 mph the power is 141 watts. The F-40s CdA might be in the 1.2 range so the power at 27 is a whopping 180 watts, way beyond my max of 150 watts (and I bet yours Steve). I can only hold 150 watts for maybe 20 minutes. 

So by slowing the F-40 down to 141 watts the speed would be 24 mph max, a  3 mph difference. 
Just imaging someone pulling away from you at a 3 mph difference. You wont see them for very long. 

Looking at the ride plot I was at 35 minutes when the pack pulled away from me.  
I was able to go to 35 minutes because the max power was 141 watts and there were a few down grades where I could rest a bit and do a little drafting. I couldn't draft a lot because there was a leader falling off the front and rejoining the rear. I had to leave room for him. 

Its interesting to see that the lead man in the pace line is putting out near the 250 to 300 watt range. They were changing leaders in less than 2 minute intervals. In the draft pack their effective drag would be similar to mine so they  probably were in the 140 watt range. 

 On slight down grades I was able to ride along side them. Quite an exciting sight to see a row of bikes inches apart from each other all moving as one. Leaning thru the corners. Every one intent. If you screw up you can take down several riders. I tried to stay out of their way. 

But later when I was tiring, once I lost whatever draft I could find I didn't have enough power left over to climb up in speed to catch them. The game was over, so I took the short cut. 

John Tetz 

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