How Does Understanding Racing Lines Improve Cycling Performance?

Question

I have come across the term racing lines quite often, and it is stated that they have quite a bearing on the performance of the rider. What specifically is the advantage of grasping these concepts? How does it help me improve as a cyclist?

Answer 1

It isn’t enough to know how to ride; it helps to know how to properly corner and this begins with the racing lines. The racing lines are efficient as they allow cornering with more velocity as the angle of turn is less; thus it is possible to maintain more inertia. Moreover, by mastering techniques such as utilizing the entire road, properly entering the Apex, and efficiently coming out of the corner, one can pedal quicker and more economically as well.

Comments

because accelerating is so much harder on a bike than with a motored vehicle, you most often tend to sacrifice distance for the highest exit speeds. i learned this through fixed gear racing, where even braking cost you energy ...

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When I learned to ride a motorbike I was taught the moniker “outside-inside-outside” to keep track of where you need to be in the turn. It still helps me.

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Rule 1, go as wide as you can (within road and traffic limits) until you see the exit. This gives best visibility and fastest exit speed. Poor riders always pull in too early.

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If you want to learn the racing line go play some driving games.  You can usually even get it to show you the racing line for braking and position all from the safety of your home.

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Lots of helpful info about race line, I thought I understood already, but truth is corners are way more complex and usually multiple together, or hazards making them different to what the maps show.

Would be interested in content detailing camber. Also when to wash off speed safely, as sometimes I feel like an uncontrollable runaway train on a straight section of downhill.

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riding for 30+ years and not figuring out what line to take through a corner on your own? I really don't mean any offense but how many times per year did you go for a ride within those 3 decades? what's explained in the content really is the most 101 basic stuff that everyone should have down after 10-20 rides, especially if they are done on the same route. I was looking for an explanation on bodyposition in corners (leaning, counterleaning, neutral) and what benefits and drawbacks these different styles of riding would get you. would be nice to know if you can offer additional info or learned something about that topic from these "skill coaches". did I miss something in the content or is the thumbnail just misleading?

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Gilbert was following the line the Moto was taking...moto took a narrow line and Gilbert followed, obviously the braking and traction the moto has is better than that of a road bike. One of the rules of racing bikes at club level is that when your at the front of a bunch, make sure you chose safe lines as the safety of the riders behind you depends on you. Meaning if you come off the road due to under steer, everyone else behind you is likely to follow. Gilbert figured out too late that the same line as the moto wasn't going to work out well for him.

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Well presented, however, a few flaws in the science.
I suggest researching “early apex” as that is the safest and usually fastest line selection outside of a purpose built racetrack as it delivers the exit closer to the inside of the turn, leaving more options.
Keep in mind that the apex is in the line, not the corner, so you move it where you need it. The confusing bit comes from multi apex terminology- a double apex turn can often only have a single  apex in the line, but it sums the situation best so that is the term.
And just to point an obvious piece of the gilbert vid, the motorcycle was actually on the correct line, at the apex, when  you stopped motion.
Source: former motorcycle roadracer, car racer, shifter cart racer, cyclist.
Again, well presented! (but follow up with one explaining late apex)