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Bike 'Throws' at the Finish Line
Last Post 01/22/2015 05:23 PM by Nicholas Arenella. 10 Replies.
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jmdirt

Posts:775

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01/18/2015 10:55 AM
Frequently I see racers 'throw' their bike before the finish line and I think that they could have gone faster if they would have pedaled a few more revolutions. Watching the sprints at the STDU this morning it was crazy how far out those guys were throwing their bikes. Isn't somebody telling them "pedal more"? I know they're pro (and I'm not) but this is something that many of them are not getting correct.
longslowdistance

Posts:2886

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01/18/2015 05:47 PM
Pros and amateurs alike throw bikes at the line because it works. If done correctly. Even mediocre bike handlers like me could gain a foot - and a few dollars and hardware over the years I raced. Good bike handlers can gain more. Many major races have been won with bike throws. Here's a former trackie demonstrating how it's done, winning a Tour stage from Eddy in the process.
jmdirt

Posts:775

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01/18/2015 06:43 PM
We're saying the same thing...I'm just saying that many of them could do it better.
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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01/18/2015 07:05 PM
The question in that pic, LSD, is did Eddy ease up at all, allowing the "throw" to win?

A well-executed throw can be effective, but most roadies really don't know how to do them well.
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
longslowdistance

Posts:2886

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01/18/2015 08:05 PM
Hey CK, I wasn't there, and I know of no video of the 72 Tour, but what I read was that Eddy did indeed ease up at the last second. Guimard had cat-like reflexes and capitalized. (Successful Trackies have these skills!)
Any of us who have road raced a lot know that a good bike throw can gain a place or even a win, regardless of whether the competition sprints to the finish line or eases up before.
I think I understand jm's original post better now - maybe (s)he's referring to the less effective throw made a couple of pedal strokes before the line - because the rider has given all they have and the throw is all that's left. Been there too.
jmdirt

Posts:775

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01/18/2015 10:48 PM

If we are sprinting side by side and you throw you bike while I pedal five more revolutions before I throw my bike, I am going to win 10 out of 10 times. But obviously I don't understand racing like you do.
Master50

Posts:340

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01/19/2015 10:47 AM
Posted By Justin jmdirt on 01/18/2015 10:48 PM

If we are sprinting side by side and you throw you bike while I pedal five more revolutions before I throw my bike, I am going to win 10 out of 10 times. But obviously I don't understand racing like you do.


You clearly don't understand throwing a bike. if you can pedal 5 revolutions and I throw my bike I must still be 10 meters from the line and throwing way too soon. A good throw is timed to 1/2 a revolution and a really good throw will also be on the power stroke. weight of the rider is at the front of the bike then the rider pushes the bike forward. If I do that too soon then my body weight must get over the bike again thus pulling the bike back. Timing must be perfect such that the rider throwing must do it less than a meter from the line as this is about the effective range of a throw if that much. I doubt a rider can do more than 1/2 of a meter. Throwing a bike reduces your bodies speed and throwing the bike too soon will slow you down as pushing the bike forward pushed you back at least as much as the mass of the bike, hence the critical need to time it perfectly which is almost at the line and certainly not 5 pedal strokes before..
Orange Crush

Posts:4499

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01/19/2015 11:40 AM
Its a crit we're talking about, right? Maybe just a case of poor acting.
jmdirt

Posts:775

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01/19/2015 02:17 PM
Master50, Exactly! I clearly do understand throwing a bike because I beat him 10 out of 10 times!
Master50

Posts:340

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01/19/2015 06:38 PM
Posted By Justin jmdirt on 01/19/2015 02:17 PM
Master50, Exactly! I clearly do understand throwing a bike because I beat him 10 out of 10 times!


I think I get you. You are a good bike thrower and you are criticizing the ones that throw at 4 meters to go. I am having trouble figuring out who is whom in your descriptions. Am I getting dyslexic?
Nick A

Posts:625

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01/22/2015 05:23 PM
Are these guys that are a little back in the places? Maybe just making a show of it/not particularly paying attention/not caring?

N
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