pavedwave longboarding

model.citizen

hi all,

are different pumping styles dependent on how much rolling speed you have at the time?

reason i ask is that i went for a nice 16 mile ride yesterday, but had varying degrees of "pump success". somehow i'm managing a top clip of 22-23mph, but damned if i can easily keep the pump going at lower speeds. well, not to say that i can't, but it feels like soooooo much work by comparison.

i have a feeling that my Walkabout setup with it's longest wheelbase might be a factor? or could it be the uber-soft wheels (73a Avilas) keeping the acceleration down? or, are there specific pump styles that should be used at certain speeds? (i always seem to have to resort to the snakey-slalom-style to keep rolling).

cheers!
neil.

LDPanda · Joined: 21 Nov 2008 Posts: 418 Location: Seattle, WA

I would equate pumping styles with the gears on a bike, some are more efficient for higher speeds, some for lower, some for up hills, etc. I would be VERY interested to see what style youre using to reach 23 mph, you might want to consider professional slalom racing if youre able to reach those speeds (Michael Dong, considered one of the best slalomers in the world only reaches about 18 mph on the flats). I find that pumping farther forward, with my feet closer together works well at lower speeds. When i get going faster i pull back on the board a bit, spread my feet more and put more weight on my rear foot. Also keep in mind that it is always easier to maintain speed than it is to build it, so it might be better on long journeys to push up to the speed you wish to maintain and then maintain it with pumping.

petary791 · Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 7:25 pm Post subject:

WOW that's friggin fast. I am also wondering the same question. My Mistress has 3 different wheelbases. Which one would be faster? I'm know the longer one requires longer pumps, but I'm just wondering.
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pavedwave · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 1120 Location: seattle wa usa

The Cyber Mile would be a good place to test out your average speed -- clock TWO miles from point A to point B, then from point B to point A, and average them. Take a lengthy rest in between if you like, but try to do both miles on the same day.

http://home.comcast.net/~jampet99/rides/cyber.html

I find my most efficient pump to be in the 9--12 mph range. Below that, I'm cranking harder and wider to maintain, and above that, the extra effort to sustain 13mph++ is fun for short bursts, but starts feeling like a more vigorous "workout" and is the kind of pace I'd only strive for in a marathon-type situation.

Big wheelbases = big pumps and more speed, but the real question is how much your body can manage to maintain. Just like having long legs and taking huge running strides, versus short quick steps. My buddy Munson always makes this comparison of Lance vs. Ulrich on the uphills, and how a quicker cadence can generate more consistent power on the "long" run. The Cyber Mile is an all-out sprint compared to an ultra or marathon for example, so it'll be interesting to keep collecting data from people who can skate a sub-4-minute mile.

On the Cyber Mile, you should find it pretty challenging to hit 15mph+ and stay there. Just ask Greg (stocago) who's been cranking at this and just cracked the 4-minute barrier!!

I've just recently sent out a mail to the top five Cyber guys, I want us all to re-establish our times (including my own) because I really want to increase the legitimacy of this course before contacting Guinness and setting up an official attempt -- possibly later this summer.

model.citizen · Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 1:22 pm Post subject:

yeah i've been looking at running a few cyber mile runs to get a completely accurate indication of speed. what's the best way of hitting the clock - simply having the stopwatch in your hand?

when i hit my top speed i was doing a couple of back-to-back 1km runs (hard to find a decent stretch of smooth flat trail here...probably just me not looking hard enough!), resetting the GPS at the start of each.

one way i managed 36.8km/h, back the other way 37.3km/h. this was done on a trail that follows the harbour/coastline, with a small onshore breeze, the trail being nicely smooth but endless undulations where the tree roots are lifting the ashphalt (gotta watch my head going under some of the low branches!).

i'm hoping that my GPS was indeed correct and i am indeed getting this kinda speed. endurance-wise i certainly feel that there's no way i could keep this speed up endlessly, tho once i got it in the pocket it was surprisingly easy and flowed effortlessly...until i had to alter trajectory to avoid others on the path.

pavedwave · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 1120 Location: seattle wa usa

model.citizen · Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 6:35 pm Post subject:

good info, thanks mate. luckily i DO have a velodrome not too far down the road, and i don't think they'll have a problem with me taking my board on it (hell, i've seen people doing solo runs in go-karts on the thing!).

as for the Start and Stop - is Start as soon as the front wheels hit the start marker and Stop as soon as the front wheels hit the end marker?

it's a shame that LDP'ers are so spread out around the world, it'd be magic to get everyone together for a "proper" cyber mile on the same course.

pavedwave · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 1120 Location: seattle wa usa

The bikers are okay with other people using our Vel, just as long as we get off the track when a real track-bike shows up for practice (no brakes...)

Technically the best start and stop would be using a time/tape-switch, so it's when the front wheels hit the line.

I agree it would be cool to get us together, but I'm hoping by doing this in 'tribe' format around the globe eventually we might get there!