[background music] Hank: The end is near. Pain in the legs.
Suffering. Hoping to stay in the group and not get dropped. All you have to do
is stick on the wheel in front of you. Oh. Manon: We thought we'd share some of our
top tips with you, so next time you're out riding, you're going to hang onto that wheel.
Hank: Manon. Manon: Come on,
Hank. Hang on. Hank:
Manon. Manon: You, pay attention.
Hank: What, me? Manon: Yes. I know the
scenery is amazing and all, but don't get too distracted. If you do, you can find it really
hard to get back on when you get dropped. Hank: Now, that doesn't just count for
idle scenery watching, or it could be daydream, or even eating,
or even looking down at your gears, because it might just mean that lapse of concentration
will mean that wheel will slip away from you. Manon:
It only takes a few seconds of riding into the wind, and you can find it really hard to get
back onto the group. So pay attention, and that's from the safety aspect too.
Hank: Yes, it can be really hard to get back. Manon, man down.
Manon: Come on. Manon:
Sometimes you can be suffering so much on the bike,
you really don't know how much longer you can hang on for.
Hank: Yes. Now, this could be on a steep climb, or on a drag,
or just when you go really quickly. Like now. Manon: You can save around 30% of your energy
by riding behind someone. When they're going gets tough, hang on in there.
Hank: Yes. If you can survive those tough moments, knowing that it's going to get easier in the end,
all you have to do is dig deep and wait for it to relax and ease.
I guess, you're going through Manon? Manon: No.
Hank: No, she's sticking on my wheel. Manon:
When you're sheltering behind someone, make sure you tuck in and get out of the wind. When you're
suffering, you want to avoid the wind at all costs because it's going to make your life harder.
Hank: Yes, what you want to do is get more aerodynamic. What I mean by that is, drop your
head, get on the drops, elbows in, shoulders down. That way you're making the most of your body,
and getting the most advantage, I guess. So get close to the wheel and get as much draft as
humanly possible. Pity, Manon, so blooming small. Manon: Where's Conor when you need him?
The wind is the devil. Hank:
Now, this is a key point. Think about wind direction. If it's a crosswind,
you want to be behind the rider, but you also want to be to the side, that way you're getting
most of the shelter from that pesky crosswind. Manon: If your rider partner is riding right in
the gutter, and you can't get any shelter from the crosswind, call them out on it. Hank, move over.
Hank: Yes, Manon. Manon: I need some shelter.
Thank you. Don't be afraid to call them out on it. They're going to need your efforts later.
Hank: Also, the last place you want to be is in the gutter. You won't get any shelter, and trust
me, it's a horrible place to be. Manon:
Don't be offended if someone asks you to slow down, or don't be afraid to ask someone to wait
for you. It's common in races that riders will ask each other to slow down so they can work together,
and it's the same for any ride. Hank: Yes, equally though.
If you feel like you want a bit of a race within your group and you get that competitive aspect
going, do so. The one thing I would say though is, make sure you communicate that
with your riding buddies. The last thing you want to do is attack out front, and you'll lose all
your friends. Manon, are you up for a ride- Manon: Yes.
Hank: -or a race? Manon: One thing before we do,-
Hank: Go on. Manon: -you need to set
a finishing goal. On top of a quiet climb would be perfect. So, top of this climb?
Hank: This one? Manon. Oh, Manon. Manon: If you see a beast of a climb coming up,
have a thing to yourself of how to give yourself the best possible chance to get up in the group.
Hank: Yes. Now, there's some tips and tricks that I like to use. One of them is my personal
favorite. Emptying some water out to save weight on the climb. What you don't want to do though is,
stuff your face before you hit the climb full of food. You'll feel sick and sluggish. There
is though a trick you can implement, which is saving energy before you hit a climb. Maybe
missing some turns and sitting in the draft. Manon: Give yourself the best possible chance,
and most importantly, believe in yourself. If you get dropped, so what, at least you tried.
Hank: I'm believing in myself, but you're still dropping me.
Manon: Believe, Hank. Hank: I don't know how this is working.
Manon: Believe. You'll get back on. Hank: Is this because I just
sprayed you in the face? Manon: Yes, it's
revenge. Hank:
Thanks for watching, everybody. I hope you've enjoyed this video,
and I hope it's helped you survive one of those group rides, whatever that may be.
Manon: Before you go, we'd like to hear from you. Have you got any funny stories
of being dropped on a group ride? Hank: I have got a funny story.
Manon: Drop them in the comments section below. Hank: I've got a funny story.
Do you want to hear it? Manon: No, we want to hear from you.
Hank: Yes, we do. We want to hear from you. You sure you don't want to hear my story?
Manon: No. Hank: Really?
Manon: Be quiet. Hank: Really?
Manon: I've had enough. Hank: I've got a really, actually- no, this is-
Manon: Please. Hank: No, this is actually a really good
story. Manon. All right, I'll tell you guys. [00:05:46] [END OF AUDIO]