[DVBC] Did anyone ride?

[Ira Josephs]

Bob
So glad you asked. I've been thinking about this post a lot.
I wouldn't have ridden (Sun.) except that Don called and dragged me out. I was sure glad he did, we had a great ride. I did 36, he 42. We ran into ice in Ridley Creek State Pk. (where we saw 2 other unnamed riders), so turned around and stayed on the regular roads.
I used all the knowledge gained from the posts from the DVBC science team and decided to COOL my water bottle before going out. Not only did my water not freeze, but my fingers and toes were warmer than the ride with Adam 2 weeks prior where I'm pretty sure the temp was a little warmer. Also I think that trick somehow enabled me to ride a little faster too. Great advice everyone!
So now I have another question for the science boys (were there any girls?). Folks that know me from work always inquire about my riding in the cold and especially snow and ice. They always assume it must be really treacherous riding a skinny tire road bike (I think 25c's) in the slippery stuff. I always say it is no problem and tell them my theory. Maybe you techies can give some science to back this up. I say if you are riding in normal dry conditions the larger the contact patch between tire and ground, the more traction you will have. But, when you are riding on really slippery stuff like snow and ice, a large contact patch is just more opportunity for slippage, therefore you want skinny tires for a small contact area. It works for me!
Ira (who dropped out of his Master of Science program many years ago)
PS I just put this huge piece of locust (my favorite firewood) into my stove that was collected from the side of the road in about the middle of Sweetwater Rd.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Bob LaDrew 
  To: dvbc-list at dvbc.org 
  Sent: Monday, February 05, 2007 11:11 AM
  Subject: [DVBC] Did anyone ride?


      Did anyone in the whole club ride outdoors over the weekend? If so, I would like to hear about it. Sorry but indoor rides don't count.
      --Bob LaDrew



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