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Re: Length of Ancient paddles vs the Modern counterparts
By:Nolan Penney
Date: 10/7/1998, 3:17 pm

> With bicycles, the optimum cadence is usually between 60 and 120 RPM. I
> used to think that pedaling slower requires less energy, until I read some
> books on bicycling. I would expect similarity w/ paddling a kayak (an
> optimum cadence)

I have no reason to disagree with that, so I shan't. :-)

What I would like to point out is that you have quite a range there to work within, and if you expand the envelope a bit, you have a much larger ranger, especially percentage wise as related to each other.

Which is absolutely fine and perfectly normal. If I made it sound like I'm a bicycle nut that thinks the highest gear is the only gear to use, I am not that way. My legs go zipping along too. Off hand, I'd estimate my usual cadence at roughly 60-80 RPM.

Muscles do make a difference though, I've got a scottish heritage, and have been compared to a fireplug before. I don't see it, but then other people insist it's not normal for a person to be able to pick up their cars or move full file cabinents without help or equipment. So pulling against a load is quite comfortable to me. Doing a cadence of 120 just to spin quickly is unpleasant for me when I could instead slow down and be quite comfortable with the load of the lower RPM.

And in any case, I agree with George as well, do what is comfortable and works. Heck, if paddling with a harrow and trowel works for you, go for it.

Messages In This Thread

Greenland paddle links
Timothy - Toronto, Ontario -- 10/2/1998, 10:27 am
Length of Ancient paddles vs the Modern counterparts
Brian C. -- 10/2/1998, 11:01 am
I'll build one :)
Brian C. -- 10/5/1998, 6:39 pm
Re: you should
Nick Schade -- 10/6/1998, 2:42 pm
practice for when I get stuck on an Island
Brian C. -- 10/6/1998, 3:01 pm
Re: practice for when I get stuck on an Island
Jerry Weinraub -- 10/6/1998, 7:12 pm
Re: Laminated shaft
Don Beale -- 10/6/1998, 12:46 pm
Re: Laminated shaft
Timothy - Toronto, Ontario -- 10/6/1998, 1:34 pm
is a ferrule worth it on a greenland?
Brian C. -- 10/6/1998, 10:22 am
Re: is a ferrule worth it on a greenland?
Don Beale -- 10/6/1998, 5:36 pm
reinforcing paddle tips
Paul Jacobson -- 10/4/1998, 9:11 pm
Re: Length of Ancient paddles vs the Modern counterparts
Paul Stomski -- 10/2/1998, 8:54 pm
Re: Length of Ancient paddles vs the Modern counterparts
Timothy - Toronto, Ontario -- 10/2/1998, 2:23 pm
Where I got the picture
Brian C. -- 10/2/1998, 4:04 pm
Re: Where I got the picture
Roger Tulk -- 10/5/1998, 12:44 am
Mr. Hitchinson's book has photos
Brian C. -- 10/5/1998, 11:02 am
Re: Mr. Hitchinson's book has photos
Roger Tulk -- 10/7/1998, 12:23 am
I guess we could contact a museum...
Brian C. -- 10/6/1998, 1:51 pm
OK, I did!
Roger Tulk -- 10/12/1998, 9:17 pm
Re: OK, I did!
Mark Kanzler -- 10/14/1998, 3:44 pm
Re: Mr. Hitchinson's book has photos
Mark Kanzler -- 10/5/1998, 11:53 am
Sorry, that's Derek Hutchinson
Brian C. -- 10/6/1998, 12:31 am
Don't know
Brian C. -- 10/6/1998, 12:25 am
Found the book
Brian C. -- 10/6/1998, 12:38 am
Re: Length of Ancient paddles vs the Modern counterparts
Mark Kanzler -- 10/2/1998, 3:10 pm
Re: Length of Ancient paddles vs the Modern counterparts
Nick Schade -- 10/2/1998, 2:12 pm
Mystical Greenland paddle
Jay Babina -- 10/5/1998, 10:10 am
Re: Mystical Greenland paddle
Nick Schade -- 10/5/1998, 6:30 pm
Re: Use what works for you.
Mark Kanzler -- 10/5/1998, 6:59 pm
Re: Use what works for you.
Nick Schade -- 10/6/1998, 2:28 pm
Re: Length of Ancient paddles vs the Modern counterparts
Timothy - Toronto, Ontario -- 10/2/1998, 2:47 pm
Wide vs. Skinny paddle blades
David Dick -- 10/6/1998, 9:14 pm
Re: Length of Ancient paddles vs the Modern counterparts
Nick Schade -- 10/2/1998, 7:53 pm
length vs sprint/endurance
Brian C. -- 10/7/1998, 3:20 pm
Re: Length of Ancient paddles vs the Modern counterparts
Mark Kanzler -- 10/4/1998, 11:15 am
Re: Length of Ancient paddles vs the Modern counterparts
Nolan Penney -- 10/5/1998, 6:37 am
Re: Length of Ancient paddles vs the Modern counterparts
Nick Schade -- 10/6/1998, 6:25 pm
Re: Length of Ancient paddles vs the Modern counterparts
Nolan Penney -- 10/7/1998, 6:53 am
Re: Length of Ancient paddles vs the Modern counterparts
Nick Schade -- 10/7/1998, 2:09 pm
Re: Length of Ancient paddles vs the Modern counterparts
Nolan Penney -- 10/7/1998, 3:21 pm
Re: Paddle flutter
Timothy - Toronto, Ontario -- 10/7/1998, 2:47 pm
Re: Paddle flutter
Nick Schade -- 10/7/1998, 3:49 pm
Re: Length of Ancient paddles vs the Modern counterparts
Mark Kanzler -- 10/8/1998, 12:55 am
Re: Length of Ancient paddles vs the Modern counterparts
Nolan Penney -- 10/7/1998, 3:17 pm
Re: Cadence
Mark Kanzler -- 10/7/1998, 3:29 pm
Re: Punchline
Timothy - Toronto, Ontario -- 10/8/1998, 8:33 am
Re: Cadence
Nolan Penney -- 10/8/1998, 6:57 am