Watch Your Line: Techniques to Improve Road Cycling Skills (Second Edition)

By Alan Canfield

This book presents a systematic approach to improving road cycling skills and efficiency.

The author presents the "Four-P's" to orient, organize, reinforce, and remind the rider of the principles presented:

- Position
- Pedal
- Precision
- Practice

An overview of proper positioning and bike fit is presented in the Position chapter, followed by recommendations and drills for developing and maintaining a smooth pedal stroke in the Pedal chapter. Discussion and techniques to reduce rider negative inputs to the bicycle are discussed in the Precision chapter. Finally, the author presents numerous drills in the Practice chapter to develop and refine the road bike handling skills discussed.

The book is targeted at the intermediate cyclist interested in developing and improving road bike handling skills. The material will also be beneficial to the beginner cyclist, and includes advanced techniques and tips for the fast recreational rider or racer.

The updated second edition has been expanded with over 40 figures, 7 tables, drills, and additional references.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alan Canfield
• Release date: May 21, 2011
• ISBN: 9781458109262

Alan Canfield

Alan Canfield is an engineer residing in Panama City, Florida. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Missouri, and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florida. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Florida. Canfield is a licensed USA Cycling Coach and has been a recreational cyclist and amateur racer for twenty years. He provides coaching, bike fit, and dynamic video analysis services to friends and clients. His client base includes road riders, mountain bikers, and triathletes. Canfield uses Kinovea software for dynamic bike fit and spin analysis. He is active in local road and mountain bike clubs and attends rides, tours, and races across the southeastern United States.

Book preview

Watch Your Line

Techniques to Improve Road Cycling Skills

Second Edition

Alan Canfield

Liability Limitations and Disclaimer

The information in this book is intended to supplement, not replace, proper road cycling training and skills development. As with any sport involving speed, equipment, balance, and environmental factors, road cycling poses inherent risk. The author and publisher advise readers to take full responsibility for their safety and know their limits. Before practicing the skills described in this book, be sure your equipment is well-maintained and properly tuned. Do not take risks beyond your experience, aptitude, training, and comfort level.

Reference to specific companies, organizations, and authorities in this book does not imply endorsement by the author or publisher. Nor do references or photographs of specific equipment, components, companies, organizations, or authorities imply that they endorse this book.

Internet addresses provided in this book were accurate at publication

Copyright Notice

Copyright (C) 2012 Alan Canfield

Smashwords Edition

ISBN: 978-1-4581-0926-2

Front cover photo by Delbert Osborn. Cover design by the author. Interior photos, figures, and tables were photographed and developed by the author.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic or photocopy or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author or publisher.

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your sole use, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1: The Four-P’s

Chapter 2: Position

Chapter 3: Pedal

Chapter 4: Precision

Chapter 5: Practice

Acknowledgements

Recommended Reading

About the Author

Introduction

This book is provided as a collection of recommendations to improve road bike handling skills. If you are reading this, I thank you for interest and appreciate your desire to improve your cycling skills.

By improving our skills we make cycling more enjoyable, comfortable, and safe. While this book is generally targeted to the intermediate cyclist, I hope that the principles, techniques, recommendations and drills will resonate with cyclists of all levels.

I believe a smooth cyclist is a more efficient and safer cyclist. A more efficient cyclist may be able to ride tempo and climb more efficiently, saving valuable energy and time. A safer cyclist will pose less risk to themselves and other cyclists in a group or fast paceline. I also believe a smooth cyclist is better received by the non-cycling public, which might possibly reduce motorist-on-cyclist aggression. By demonstrating smooth, confident, and predictable pace and handling, we show other cyclists, motorists, and creatures that we belong sharing the road.

This book consolidates many of the ideas, principles, and observations I have developed over several decades of riding. By writing down these lessons learned, I hope to provide objective and constructive recommendations for us all to review, contemplate, and implement, at our leisure and convenience.

I hope you gain a measure of the satisfaction and payback reviewing this text, and applying the principles, that I have had in developing, writing, and revising it. It is my sincere desire that the principles and practices contained here will improve your cycling.

Chapter 1: The Four-P’s

Figure 1: Mental Queue for the Four-P’s

Every time we get on our bike and ride down the road, we are advocates and ambassadors for cycling. We should strive to provide a positive representation of the sport to all the cyclists, pedestrians, motorists, and officials that we encounter. We also owe it to the new generations of cyclists to provide positive examples and helpful instruction for the continuation and evolution of the sport. After several decades of recreational cycling, I still reflect on the early years of development and the friendly, positive instruction I received. Some of those early suggestions still resonate:

When you stand up, do it as you come over the top of the power stroke.

When you take over a pull, keep the same pace.

Relax your arms and shoulders.

"When you