Pavé and white roads are the nightmare of all cyclists on racing bikes. They are insidious terrains that often lead to the fall even big champions during races such as the Eroica and Paris-Roubaix. Therefore, how to deal with them? Here are some tips to follow:
1) Keep the right pedaling frequency
Continuous and inevitably recoils that are experienced on sampietrini and dirt track make it difficult to keep a steady rhythm. To help with this problem, keep a pedaling frequency between 80 and 90 rpm. Lower or higher frequencies would not make us pedal efficiently, tire before time or slip the rear wheel.
2) Push on the pedals
When the ground is unstable the basic rule is to put a short ratio and push on the pedals as much as possible. In the long run is tiring, but you keep a good stride avoiding falls.
3) Stay relaxed
The vibrations that arrive from the wheels to the frame and then to our body when you pedal on disconnected roads, tire very much the muscles. A relaxed grip on the handlebar, neck and shoulders relaxed allow us to keep our muscles flexible and better absorb the vibrations.
4) Move the weight on the rear wheel
When pedaling on pavé or white roads, especially if in high humidity condition, it’s best retreat back a few inches on the saddle to move the weight on the rear wheel.
This allows you to exert more force on the rear by avoiding slipping or loss of contact with the ground.
5) Steering control
Shakes caused by sampietrini make difficult to maintain a linear trajectory, for better steering control, it’s best to keep hands on the center and horizontal to the fold or on curves with at least one finger on the brakes to be ready when needed.
6) Avoid tight curves
Especially with rain, the exterior of pavé roads and white roads becomes even more slippery and puddles can also be formed. Better avoid facing too tight curves and keeping yourselves in the middle of the road.
7) Choose the pedal ratio
It’s important to choose the ratio before entering the pavé and dirt road stretch and then, not touching the ratio until the end of it. Change during the ride on uneven ground can entail the loss of the chain and break your pedaling rhythm.