This might be easier to do in a race. It’s in a sportive surrounded by nervous riders that concern me

@simonbuchanan1184

Жыл бұрын

Agreed. After racing for a few years at increasing levels you'd have confidence in those around you. Or as Alex put it, everyone is relaxed and has no intention of crashing.

Something you just briefly touched on is “be a good wheel”. Bad vibes and nervousness are contagious. Being a good wheel might help one and others be relaxed in the chaos

Learned more in two months of Belgie life, than I had in my first three years of local american crits. Very first day off the plane, headed out for a 90min recovery ride between race days along the canal path w/ 8 kermis pros, they rode so close 2x2, that basically you are rubbing shoulder every 30 seconds, leaning into each other talking about life... they grew up like this, we didn't. Moral of story, be born in Belgium

@calebking4443

Жыл бұрын

Mike!!!! Long time!

Good tips mate! @5:40 who is riding in the bunch with hands away from the brakes lol. That is what happens when you do. Couldnt stop in time and over the bars into collarbone sling!

🙏Thanks for the tips, Alex, glad you’re spreading your wealth of knowledge down to the rest of us!

In the bad old days of toe clips and straps we used to lean on each other at traffic lights! Sometimes it was good and sometimes it ended in a tangle.

This guy does not need to use his valuable time doing these vids.. THANK YOU!!!

Can you make a beginners guide video: How to ride in a group, eg responsibilities, etiquette, hand signals and how to be a safe wheel? i think you’d be engaging and do a good job of explaining that and would carry more weight as a respected (retired) pro mentor?

Thank you for the talk, actually I felt it went beyond cycling!

Great video, Alex. When I raced, I incorporated 'reflex work' into my training...by riding in downtown traffic one day a week (as a former bike messenger). If enough cars brush up against you - or you have to dodge opening doors often enough, the peleton isn't that scary lol. I don't advocate recklessness, however. In stressful situations, people always revert to their 'training'. So training, imo, should mimic those situations.

@PeeBeds

Жыл бұрын

Not gonna lie, Im not sure that riding between cars and dodging car doors is the safest way to train your reflexes. Maybe join a club who have group rides and practice peleton riding in relative safety?

@ianmiddel2898

Жыл бұрын

I can appreciate your perspective (and I was part of a club as well), but if you're looking for the 'safest' way, I would stay away from bicycles as well. Based on the previous experiences I had, I didn't have any problem with it related to comfort zone, etc. That's just me.

Another really insightful video! Thanks for sharing, Alex.

Im just coming into my second season racing as a junior and I think this is the single most helpful cycling video I've seen. Thanks Alex Dowsett!

Thanks for this video, Alex. Over the past 2-3 years I’ve built up good fitness and feel that I am ready for local crits but have been too nervous because of the dread of crashing or causing a crash. Thanks for the tips, I think I am going to take the plunge.

Thank you for sharing, well done!

Thanks for the wisdom and insight…really enjoy your content and first hand experience mate. Keep it up 🤜🤛

I'm only a fitness/recreational cyclist, but I really enjoy your stories and insight from professional racing.

I'm going to show my boys this in the morning. Great video!

Excellent advice Sir Alex. All the best and hi from Australia :)

The friendly font of knowledge 🙏

Awesome fun ! more please !

The difference between a pro peloton and an amateur ‘race’ must be poles apart. I did the World Gran Fondo race final in Poland in 2019, absolute carnage, very little consideration, especially from the Russians, who were mostly flying through the air, not on their bikes! Happy to have survived it intact.

You're a legend

LOVE the plant!

Great video :)

Very good. First time I've seen a clip on this issue. How about a descending class? And echelon riding.

What a gentleman

My imagination keeps popping up images of a hairy fairy. Great video. Thank you

the peloton is like a washing machine, their are some areas that tumble more than others. IMO the top 20 is easier than 21-40, or be at the back 1/4 and relax.

Could we have a critique of some old races

I really appreciated this video. I just did my first race in Europe, and you can watch the videos, visualize the moment, but actually being in the peloton is a whole new thing. Sounds like confidence is the key. I belong here, this is my wheel, relax.

Review Hinaults cycling book please

Mark Renshaw has joined the chat.

That was really cool, though at my level, 30 is a big field 😂🤣😂

Top drawer segue from surfing the peloton to Surfshark 😆

Do contact drills in the grass

Great advice here, but how do you think in the heat of the moment, thats my issue.

@AlexDowsettOfficial

Жыл бұрын

That’s a tough one, I think instinct comes from knowledge and practice, so work on the basics and when it’s crunch time there’s more chance you’ll make better decisions in that moment

At the start of the peloton bully section, was that an overhead of the Lion of Cologne lying on the floor? Is that a hidden message?

@AlexDowsettOfficial

Жыл бұрын

Not at all. ☺️

Small riders will have advantages in the peloton as they are passing through smaller gaps?

@AlexDowsettOfficial

Жыл бұрын

Only if their handlebars are narrower. The smaller guys often have big visibility issues within the peloton

Nice money plant, may it bring you good fortune

@okantichrist

Жыл бұрын

It’s no crassula ovata 🤣

Riding in the gruppetto seems to be much more fun

@stevemawer848

Жыл бұрын

It's no easy ride though, making the time cut! If you can't climb like the whippets, you have to really go for it on the flat!

Is this aimed at Ethan Hayter?

Regarding the fitness imo Fitness breeds confidence I once was in a steep downhill (30-35mph) on a live road way the rider in front braked up and dropped as they veered into oncoming traffic Being behind that rider I had no choice but to brace and roll over them at the next "rest stop" I realized the "interaction" had released my skewer Had I panicked I believe I would have went down as well (and these 56 yo bones dont like pavement) :)

Great video, but you need to do something about that dandruff, mate!

I would have thought you could easily ride 500W for 8km

@AlexDowsettOfficial

Жыл бұрын

I was 500 for 5min (though i tried to avoid doing those efforts! 8km at the end of a 200km stage, at the end of a 7day stage race was a bit more of an ask though. It was also about what neeeded to be done after, there was 8km still to the finish after this corner, where another big effort was needed that ramped up.

Reasons to be a time trialist #212341. Also, every group rider should have a label on the back of their kit... knuckles ready, forearm ready, shoulder ready, or headbutt ready based on their skillset.

Pros and most high level amateur racers have started group riding at the age of 12-14. They learn all group ride things by a lot of practice and a lot of falling (btw, youth dosen't have fear!). So if some of those boys gets to some kind pro peloton he has all this already in his blood and spinal cord. Nobody who starts in his late age can't get so good in riding in peloton as these fellows.