Gear Restrictions?

I was just browsing through the infinitely complex road racing rulebook on the BC website, and noticed the section on gear restrictions. It says I'd be restricted to a maximum gear of 6.93 metres. According to Sheldon Brown's gear calculator, that means I can only use the bottom 5 cogs out of 9 (up to a 52x17). How are the rules enforced, and what do I need to do to comply with them? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Charlie.

Charlie,

That was a mean attack you put in on the climb to the bat and ball. You were Contador like in your climbing. Now I can only tell you from the days when I was racing. When you sign on there is always a mandatory bike check and in order for you to comply to the requirements of the gear ration you will need to have adjusted the rear mech screws so they don't go down lower than your 16th tooth sprocket.

Now this was over twenty years ago and what happens now I'm not sure, but a rear mech is still a rear mech with adjustment screws.

Hope this helps a bit.

Carl

Fit a compact it will help you up the hills and with only a 50 on the front you won't have so many gears you're not allowed to use.

Sorry I missed your attack, I was too busy paying Jose and Tom back for last weekend hahaha

Thanks, Carl. Unfortunately, Tom followed me and when that happens, he usually beats me . According to the same gear calculator, I wouldn't be able to use any more gears if I fitted a compact as the next cog down (a 15 tooth) would still give a development over 6.93 metres. Though on most steeps hills I do run out of gears with a 52-39 up front and a 12-25 on the back (I don't like getting out of the saddle ).
Charlie.

Hi Charlie, good question and thanks for asking. When you next go to the Mountbatten track look at the floor next to the 'sloped concrete access ramp' into the building. On the floor outside next to the ramp are white painted markings. When you are in your 'age restricted lowest gear', one full pedal revolution should be completed within the permitted marks (sound complicated - it isn't). If you're unsure to the sprocket that is your lowest permitted sprocket, change gears until one revolution of the pedals keep you within the marks. See one of the officials inside taking licence details prior to a race, or ideally see one of the coaches running a training session and they can check your bike. Once the correct gear is selected, your rear mech small sprocket limit is adjusted (by a screwdriver) to prevent you changing into a smaller sprocket when racing. [To be honest it would be good practice to set up your bike and keep it that way, so you benefit in training etc.].

Ask when your down the track and someone will set it up for you - everyone there is there promoting the sport and not waiting to trip you up. Hope that helps

That's a bit clearer now. I'll adjust it later. Thanks guys. Does anyone know the reason for the limits, by the way?
Charlie.

Charlie: On a gearing note, I ride a 53-39 and normally a 13-29 with a medium rear mech - as I don't like rising out of the saddle on climbs unless absolutely necessary to 'step' on the pedals. To be honest if you use a heart rate monitor you'll find as soon as you 'step' on the pedals your heart-rate climbs too. It is more efficient to remain seated and 'spin' or 'attack' the hills. There are instances when you might want to 'rise' and this sometimes relieves aches from the seated position.

I find climbing easier on the 'brake hoods' or sometimes on the 'drops' rather than across the handlebar 'horizontal' - this again depends on your bike set-up and comfort preference. Listen to your body and remember what suits others may not suit you.

1, to protect your knees Charlie, as you're still growing and developing. And 2, so no one has an unfair advantage.

Stick to 39/52 makes you sound like a pro.

You looked pretty good at spinning to me. Next time let that wheel sucker Tom do the work and you jump him at the top.

The lads I went out with on Sunday stayed at around level 3 and 4 all the way around. I peeled off half way through as the pace was too much for me in January.

That'd make sense... I'm keeping the 52/39, Jerry, I'll just keep training to spin the big gears .
Charlie.

Fair enough Charlie but I don't spin big gears...I fly, far less effort

Well y'know... Each to his own . I do have a small problem, though: The limit screw isn't long enough . Anyone know where I'd find a longer one?

Simple way is to set up your rear deraillier with the wire adjusted so that at its slackest tension it sits over your lowest permitted gear (as if you hadn't allowed enough slack in the gear wire) leave a little play in your lower deraillier adjustment screw to fine tune - hope that makes sense

That worked! Thanks. I've finally got round to buying my racing licence so I should be winning points soon! (That or failing spectacularly )
Charlie.

its all about learning curves, take everything in, review, and try the next race. Never take a disappointment, use it as part of your learning curve process, be positive, plan, do and review, adapt for the next one. Don't be afraid to experiment ant test your body, but remember you're still growing and developing. Godd luck and enjoy.

As said above dont push big gears yet because your still growing also dont overdo it cycling !
I know its easy to say this but 3 /4 years later you will regret it when you have knee troubles that WILL happen
If not before soo just keep that in mind , happend to me and is no fun atall
pushing big gears too big is like weight lifting too much , you have to build upto it !
anyway enough said