im already mid wheel pull up on this, your graph is not starting at the absolute zero
One thing that really helps is setting up a second barrier which doesn't sound like a big deal but getting the first barrier right at race speed is usually the easy part the second is either, goes smooth or oh shit this is going hurt moment. The main thing that keeps me from riding the barriers is 99% of the time is the spacing is too close to do them with enough speed for it to be faster then running, if you watch most of the euro races they space the barrier further apart. Also one thing I see a lot of is people forget is that hoping barriers when your at or above threshold towards the end of a race is a lot different and a lot harder.
im already mid wheel pull up on this, your graph is not starting at the absolute zero
too many local courses put barriers on slow sections....either just after a turn or on an uphill. Putting barriers on a slow speed section is dumb because it prevents them from being a decisive element in the race. Essentially, there's just one speed they can be run. Barriers should be used to break up fast sections or to force a dismount and reward those who are more technically competent.
I just had a flashback to one of the earlier editions of Cooper River. They had a high-speed set of barriers on the long backstraight that scared the crap out of me every single lap. You could essentially ride at them flat-out, so they were a pretty intense test of barrier technique, particularly as the race went on and fatigue started playing a role.Also, IMHO (not that anybody cares what I think but anyway) too many local courses put barriers on slow sections....either just after a turn or on an uphill. Putting barriers on a slow speed section is dumb because it prevents them from being a decisive element in the race. Essentially, there's just one speed they can be run. Barriers should be used to break up fast sections or to force a dismount and reward those who are more technically competent.
I like the barriers that don't 100% impede flow, if you have skills. Like the above "king of the skateparks" photo.that and figurin' half of 29 as something lower than 12.
They should add a table top in there too.
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Those took out Helen Wyman one year. Be very afraid.I remember Nittany having some super fast barriers up by them trees
I just had a flashback to one of the earlier editions of Cooper River. They had a high-speed set of barriers on the long backstraight that scared the crap out of me every single lap. You could essentially ride at them flat-out, so they were a pretty intense test of barrier technique, particularly as the race went on and fatigue started playing a role.
I'm not racing cross this year, but this thread has me wanting to set up some barriers and work on my hops anyway.
BTW - I'm not the best person to follow on road rides. As I really do tend to jump over obstacles and pot-holes rather than going around them.
Back in high school Hunterdon County had more RR crossing remnants. I would always hop them on the hoods.
I came down the one on upper mtn yesterday, man is that one sketchyMy road riding loop at home in Bucks Co has a RR crossing that's been there for ages - on Aquetong Rd near New Hope, for those familiar with the area. You cross it coming down a hill, so having enough speed is never an issue (unless there's a slow car in front of you). I used to launch the crossing in my Toyota pick-up back in my youth.
But there is a difference between hopping to clear distance vs height. The former really doesn't need skill as much as speed and commitment. When I'm descending on a road bike, I feel more stable in the drops, so when hopping over that RR crossing, it's generally in the drops.