A race with shorter loops and more laps or a
race with longer loops and fewer laps. Which is “better”? Which do you prefer?
Races with shorter loops and more laps are
easier to plan. It is much easier to find loops that have a distance of 10-15
km. With a loop of that distance the race would have to have more laps to make
it a decent length. Shorter loops tend to make the race more monotonous because
the same course is being repeated over and over again. Shorter loops can also
make for better race strategy. After a couple of laps it is easy to pick out
places to launch an attack, where to give more effort and where to conserve
energy.
On the other side of the coin are longer
loops with less fewer laps. Longer loops cut down on the monotony because the
course is not being repeated over and over again. But longer loops of 25-30 km
per loop are harder to find. Larger loops would also require more strategy.
Only riding a couple of laps lessens the time on the course. This lessens the
time to learn the circuit and plan attacks.
Racing, say, a 70 km race in 2 laps makes
it easier to fool the mind. Complete 1 lap and you are on your last lap. Racing
the same distance 70k, but this time in 10 laps, tediousness tends to creep in
as you go around the circle numerous times.
So which do you prefer, longer or shorter
loops? Myself, I can safely say that I prefer the longer distance loops with fewer
laps.
(c) Phil Renaud 2014
(c) Phil Renaud 2014
