Hi Ted,
I'm thinking that "hang on" means to not get dropped; to stay on the wheel(s).
"Shook off" means to get somebody off your wheel. You might do it by attacking repeatedly while hooking and chopping the poor guy. I'm feelin' the tightness in my abs!!!
If a guy is really strong he can "ride you off his wheel". In other words he could ride so hard and for so long that you just couldn't "hang on". That is pretty much the ultimate display of raw strength. Tactics schmactics!!!
In the late '50s they say that Arne Urlass won the big 50 mile criterium at Sommerville by riding the whole field off his wheel. He started the race by going to the front and riding as hard as he could. 50 miles later he crossed the finish line alone.
The next year he tried the same thing but he couldn't "shake off" National Sprint Champion Jack Disney; so Arne had to settle for second.
A "big wheel" is a plastic tricycle with a "stiff wheel" for little kids. : )
I used to know how old timers referred to their positions but I forgot : )
I figure a couple of wise-ass answers are better then no answers at all.
Regards, Jamie Swan - Northport, N.Y. http://www.centerportcycles.com (mapped) http://www.limws.org http://www.liatca.org http://www.cabinfeverliquidations.com
On Oct 10, 2005, at 12:28 AM, ternst wrote:
> Had a superbe time at the Velo Rendezvous put on by Chuck Schmidt and
> his cohort of conspirators.
> As we descend from the clouds of cycle heaven, it's time for me to get
> to terms with you all and the first term is ( back ) " In the clouds"
> Remember we were riding on the track and decided to go under rather
> than
> over when at all possible. Track banking, shorter distance, "chopping"
> squeezing guys down, etc., all positive strategies.
> When you are in the field on the track, and as you try to come by to
> get
> to the front all of a sudden the guys are rolling up the track banking,
> whether on straightaway or turns, then you slowly are forced to go up
> to
> not ride into the other riders. They are not cutting you off but
> following the natural contour of the track.
> As you keep riding up, the pole line guys are riding the shorter
> distance and away from you. Up high on the track, lost in the shuffle
> and going backwards up high on the banking, YOU are "In the clouds".
> BAAAD!
> It also happens when the front is whipping along. The field swings
> slowly higher from momentum upwards as you try to come around and you
> know you are a dufus, then you have to shut down as you go up the
> banking, and voila you're in the clouds, again. Sh-Grrr.
>
> I hope I didn't stiff you on this one. It should be stiff hub, gear, or
> wheel. Then it gets easier. But I wanted to see if you would pick up on
> it and make a transition into the flow. How the hell am I going to make
> you into racers if you can't get the connection and activate the
> synapses to make the following moves in your minds after all these
> lessons? Don't you guys play chess? Gals, too, by the way, no mercy.
> ALL
> the old timers referred to their machines as stiff hubs, gears, wheels.
> Come on you guys and gals, get on the wheel, feel the aura of the field
> around you, connect with the psyche of the moment, connive and make the
> race happen.
> How can you appreciate the taste of your perspiration and tightness in
> your abs if you don't get with the program?
>
> Boxed: Jamie had a good handle on it but he was taking the view of a
> rider doing it to himself. That's the result of poor or bad position,
> strategy and your own fault as he describes it.
> Getting "boxed" is usually the result of nefarious activity on the part
> of your competitors. For whatever teaming reason, fear of your ability,
> dislike of you, payback time, or any and all of the above or some other
> obscure motivation, several other riders would gang up on you and "Box"
> you in. They would get on the side, front and back of you, sacrifice
> themselves and placing if necessary to keep you from winning. Often
> they
> could hold you in while one went off to win or place, but you got
> screwed. This type of teaming is illegal, but if done "right" is tough
> to detect by the officials.
> This is done on track or road, to prevent a rider's forward movement,
> but real sweet revenge or outright keeping victory from you and the
> nasties take home the bacon.
> So, the lesson is watch out on position, always leave an escape if
> possible to get through, and ride smart. However, if some guys want to
> work you over, you may not be able to escape the deleterious activity.
> The fight goes on. It's Great!
> Next week's terms:
> 1) Hang on
> 2) Shook off
> 3) Big wheel
> 4) How did the old timers refer to their bicycle positions?
>
> Ted Ernst
> Palos Verdes Estates, CA