The Scenario:
You come down a descent behind someone, hit the base of a climb, and have the momentum to blast around them.
What do you do?
Most riders think: "Never brake! Use all that momentum!"
Wrong.
Why Using Your Brakes Is Actually Faster
Here's what happens when you slingshot around them using your momentum:
✖ You accelerate out of the draft into the wind
✖ You hit the top of the climb pulling in the wind
✖ You pull the downhill in the wind
✖ The riders you passed? Sitting on your wheel the whole time.
You just towed them over the climb.
The Smarter Play
Use your brake like a clutch. Fan it a little, shift to an easier gear, and stay in the draft.
Here's why it works:
✔ Let the accordion happen at the base (there's always an accordion)
✔ Use that gap to catch up halfway up the climb
✔ You're on their wheel right when they start their acceleration
✔ Follow them over the top in their draft
✔ Let them pull the downhill
You saved massive energy by letting momentum go.
The Lesson
In your mind, you think you're saving energy by carrying speed at the bottom.
But you're actually just hurting yourself.
Draft = less watts. Every time you leave the draft to "use momentum," you're paying a price that costs more than the momentum was worth.
Strategy beats strength. Position beats power. This is how races are won.
