<[email hidden]> wrote in message
Quoted message said:Quoted message said:
Gilmore did not break any hour record, just the maximum (1 lap, I guess)
speed record for women behind the derny, now 66 km/h. From the article,
it's not absolutely clear whether that's a track, national, or world
record. I wouldn't know. I was highly surprised because the men's HOUR
record behind the derny is 66.114 km/h; I'd've thought the women to be
over that for top speed.
I understood, and agree with you that it seems slow. But on
the other hand how many people have actually taken a shot
at the absolute speed record?
I assumed either record would take at least some practice
behind the derny. You don't just hop on a bike and ride 66 km/h
behind a derny. In fact, it must take quite a few laps to accelerate
up to 66 km/h without blowing up. Maybe Sundquist has an
idea of how long.
Sprinters frequently spend time behind dernies. Sometimes the dernies are
used as warmup pace vehicles, sometimes for windup (as opposed to hard jump)
sprints, and sometimes to help the rider exaggerate their top speed by just
sitting behind the derny as it goes faster then they can achieve on their
own. Also, events that include the keirin (both men and women). Making a
decision to try for a speed record, especially one as esoteric as this,
doesn't require much in the way of preparation.
I couldn't find any information regarding the distance for certification,
but am guessing it's no more than one or two laps (250 or 500 meters).
Considering the women's absolute (unaided) 200 M record is 10.831 (Olga
Slioussereva, 25 April 1993 in Moscow) at a speed of 66.6 kph, one could
expect to be disappointed that Gilmore's speed wasn't superior to the men's
hour record.
As for distance to accelerate to top speed? Three laps from a standing
start, max. More likely two with a generous push from the start line.
