Internal Mono(b)log

I’ll jump straight to the answer…

YOU BET IT DOES!

Yesterday while doing my morning cycling hill repeats I decided to do a very unscientific experiment:  I had to do 10 repeats which of course meant 10 descents. For 5 of the descents I’d get into the tightest, most aero position I could on my bike (knees tucked, back on the saddle, back pressed down, chin up, arms stretched out on aerobars) and for 5 of the descents I’d try to present the largest profile to the wind resistance as possible (sitting up in the saddle, shoulders squared against the resistance, knees wide, feet at different levels in the pedals).  I wondered, given that there was no breeze, “What would the difference be?”

Well, my average peak speed descending the hill in non aero was 37km/h.  In best aero… 48km/h! 

11 km/h for FREE!  That’s EPIC!!!

Now sure, I couldn’t actual pedal in the “best aero position” but I’m willing to bet that the savings is roughly the same in a pedaling position being aero vs not.

What does this mean?  Simply put, if you’re racing and aren’t in an aero position 90-95% of the time, you’re wasting energy and losing time!

Build that aero endurance!  Get down on those aerobars!  Train hard and kick some butt!!!