DOWNS DAWN PATROL (4/21): Lookin at Lucky sparkles..

[the_fat_man]

Originally Posted by slotdirt

I say this with all due respect, but this is the first time I've ever heard someone say that clipping heels is basically no big deal in the context of lost momentum.

Here's what I suggest. Seriously. Get a track bike and head over to your local park or velodrome. Hook up with a peloton and position yourself behind and between a pack of cyclists. Note how much easier your trip is when you're drafting as opposed to when you're going without cover. Sooner or later you'll get cut off, be forced to 'check'. If you're behind/between, and it's during a 'break', you'll be surprised how it doesn't really matter, as you're:

1) still being carried along by the draft
2) able to make up whatever difference was lost easily, as those breaking before you have only a finite amount of energy and they've used it before you.

In fact, 'checking' is an ADVANTAGE in these cases.

If you're outside and not drafting, and you're dropped because you're forced to check, it's a lot harder to make up. Of course, it really depends on how intense the 'break' was. If they went too hard, you still have an advantage -- especially if the 'race' collapses and favors late runners.

If you're going to remark that cycling is not horse racing, I will point you to Mr Dominguez and how he rides them like track bikes.

P.S. The reason this isn't obvious is because of the BIAS on dirt tracks. DIRT goes against PHYSICS.