We commonly hear the phrase “be aero” in the cycling world, but what does it really mean? The quick answer, “being aero” is when the watts you put into the pedals are used to move you forward and not used to overcome drag, therefore making you faster.
We already know that being aero is important. Most cyclists would agree. But would you know how to answer the question, “why is aerodynamics important and what does being aero help accomplish?” If you don't know, that’s okay (that’s the point of this article) and if you do, read on, there still may be something new to learn. Aerodynamics is difficult to visualize and requires complex and expensive testing equipment to measure, like a wind tunnel. This article will help you visualize aerodynamics, understand why “being aero” matters, and suggest the best ways to become more aero. Let’s get started.