Minimising Aerodynamic Drag
BE IT INTERVAL TRAINING TO increase VO2 max or dietary intake of carbohydrates versus proteins, there is literature and coaching guidance accessible to many.
Most also appreciate the gains to be made through aerodynamic refinements, however, the science may appear inaccessible without access to a wind tunnel test facility.
No doubt aerodynamic gains can be purchased off the shelf in the form of disc wheels and teardrop tubing in streamlined bike frames, but the bicycle represents about one third of the total aerodynamic drag; the remaining two thirds being drag on the human body themselves.
Body position on the bike is critical to reducing aerodynamic drag, yet there is very limited guidance available to the recreational cyclist. By grasping some key concepts in aerodynamics however, the cyclist can have a working knowledge sufficient to reduce their own aerodynamic drag.
Furthermore, the improvements can be measured without access to wind tunnels.
AERODYNAMIC DRAG AND WIND TUNNEL TESTING
Aerodynamic drag force acting on a cyclist can be represented by mathematical equations containing many variables, and for the more technically motivated there is further background explanation accompanying this article on the Bicycling Australia website – simply search ‘Bike Position, Minimising Aerodynamic Drag’ at www.bicyclingaustralia.com.au to find it.
Aerodynamic drag increases rapidly as we cycle faster and