{"id":27938,"date":"2017-12-12T12:14:00","date_gmt":"2017-12-12T20:14:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.trainerroad.com\/?p=27938"},"modified":"2017-12-12T14:12:45","modified_gmt":"2017-12-12T22:12:45","slug":"what-every-racer-should-know-about-number-pinning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/what-every-racer-should-know-about-number-pinning\/","title":{"rendered":"What Every Racer Should Know About Number Pinning"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"winter-guide\">\n<p class=\"lead\">Every second counts on race day. Don\u2019t let a poorly pinned race number add time to the clock and get in the way of your next win.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"hr-procon\" \/>\n<p><iframe data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/t7zN5SiLlik\" width=\"100%\" height=\"400\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" data-load-mode=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2>How Athletes are Pinning Their Race Number Wrong<\/h2>\n<p>The most common mistakes racers are making when pinning their race numbers is either positioning the number out of view from race officials, or by pinning the number in a way that adds to aerodynamic drag.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-27939 size-full lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/road-number-placed-poorly-2.jpg\" alt=\"Improperly pinned race number\" width=\"825\" height=\"550\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/road-number-placed-poorly-2.jpg 825w, https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/road-number-placed-poorly-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/road-number-placed-poorly-2-768x512.jpg 768w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 825px) 100vw, 825px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 825px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 825\/550;\" \/><\/p>\n<p>What\u2019s more, most race numbers have those little holes that seem to suggest where the safety pins should go through. While it may seem a bit neurotic, every racer can benefit from following a few simple practices to achieve a tightly pinned jersey. <strong>Here\u2019s how to avoid leaving seconds on the table with a poor pinning job on your next race.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr class=\"hr-procon\" \/>\n<h2>How To Properly Pin Your Race Number<\/h2>\n<p>Properly pinning your race number comes down to primarily two things: <em><strong>placement and pinning.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-indent: 100px;\"><strong>Placement:<\/strong> <em>Where<\/em> to pin the race number on your jersey<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-indent: 100px;\"><strong>Pinning:<\/strong> <em>The technique<\/em> used to attach race numbers to your jersey<\/p>\n<h3>Where to Pin Your Race Number: The Placement<\/h3>\n<p>Race number placement is dictated by the race organizer of your event. This information is typically included in the race packet that you\u2019ll pick up at registration. Often times the official will inform you which side the officials will be scoring from, so you\u2019ll know which side to place the number on right off the bat.<\/p>\n<p>If there is no explicit instruction on which side you need to place your race number on, we recommend positioning it in the area that will be farthest from the drag of the air passing by your body. This tends to be on the lower back area, and even as far down as on your rear-end.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Note: When pinning your number to your side, use the fabric seam closest to the chest to align the bottom edge of the number. This keeps the number visible.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-27940 size-full lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/road-number-placed-well.jpg\" alt=\"Properly placed race number\" width=\"825\" height=\"550\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/road-number-placed-well.jpg 825w, https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/road-number-placed-well-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/road-number-placed-well-768x512.jpg 768w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 825px) 100vw, 825px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 825px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 825\/550;\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>Number Placement for a Time Trial<\/h3>\n<p>Placing your race number on your lower back is the preferred placement in a time trial. In a race style where aerodynamic drag is of paramount importance, placing a race number low and as close to the body as possible is the goal.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-27941 size-full lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/tt-number-placed-well.jpg\" alt=\"Properly placed race number on a time trialist\" width=\"825\" height=\"550\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/tt-number-placed-well.jpg 825w, https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/tt-number-placed-well-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/tt-number-placed-well-768x512.jpg 768w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 825px) 100vw, 825px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 825px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 825\/550;\" \/><\/p>\n<hr class=\"hr-procon\" \/>\n<h3>How to Pin Your Number: The Pinning<\/h3>\n<p>Whether you\u2019re pinning the number solo or having a friend help, the principles of pinning your race number to your jersey remain the same. In nearly all cases, we recommend using <strong>safety pins<\/strong> to attach the number, and in some instances another product. But we\u2019ll touch on that later.<\/p>\n<p>For starters, wrinkle your race number up a bit to help the number form to your body easier. Then, to properly pin the race number, <strong>push the pin through the number, then through the jersey, back through the jersey, and finally back through the number.<\/strong> And as inviting as they appear, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>do not<\/strong><\/span> use the pre-existing holes on race numbers to anchor your pins through. Using the existing holes would essentially be turning your race number into a parachute.<\/p>\n<div class=\"breakout-key\">\n<p><span class=\"title-key\"><span style=\"color: #595959;\">In almost all cases, we recommend using a minimum of <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>7 safety pins<\/strong><\/span> for each number you\u2019ll be pinning:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-indent: 150px;\"><strong>3 pins<\/strong> on the leading edge<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-indent: 150px;\"><strong>2 pins<\/strong> on each edge perpendicular to the leading edge<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-indent: 150px;\"><strong>2 pins<\/strong> on the bottom<\/p>\n<p>The technique for pinning race numbers to your jersey applies no matter where you\u2019ll be positioning the race number.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Note: While pinning on the lower back over the pockets in your jersey, do not puncture the pins through the pocket fabric and the fabric underneath that. By only pinning through the pockets, you\u2019ll still be able to access anything stored back there.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3>Number \u201cpinning\u201d for a Time Trial<\/h3>\n<p>Rather than relying on safety pins to attach your number in a time trial, our recommended method is to first use a spray adhesive; preferably <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/B00N3AZM5M\/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=trainerroad-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B00N3AZM5M&amp;linkId=f9e3cf30e1c2e0a042cab8698a97d15c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Scotch Super77<\/a>. We then suggest taking that extra step to put a safety pin in each corner of the number, following the same practice discussed above.<\/p>\n<p>Spray the entire number when applying the spray adhesive, especially paying attention to hitting the edges. After waiting for 15-30 seconds the adhesive will begin to get tacky. This is when you, or whoever is helping you, will want to apply the race number to your jersey.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-27945 size-full lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/3m-super-77-product.jpg\" alt=\"Scotch Super77 spray adhesive\" width=\"825\" height=\"550\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/3m-super-77-product.jpg 825w, https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/3m-super-77-product-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/3m-super-77-product-768x512.jpg 768w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 825px) 100vw, 825px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 825px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 825\/550;\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-27946 size-full lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/3m-super-77.jpg\" alt=\"Applying spray adhesive to a race number\" width=\"825\" height=\"550\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/3m-super-77.jpg 825w, https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/3m-super-77-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/3m-super-77-768x512.jpg 768w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 825px) 100vw, 825px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 825px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 825\/550;\" \/><\/p>\n<hr class=\"hr-procon\" \/>\n<h3>Number Pinning with Help or Solo<\/h3>\n<p>Ideally you\u2019re going to have a fellow racer, a teammate, or some member of your support system help you pin your race number to your jersey. But it <strong>is not<\/strong> mandatory \u2014 many racers choose to pin their number solo. Whether it\u2019s by using a pillow to wrap your jersey around, stretching your jersey over your knees, or even stretching it over the steering wheel of your vehicle, you can get the task done and have a nice, taut pinning job.<\/p>\n<h3>Number Pinning with Help<\/h3>\n<p>If someone is helping you pin your number to your jersey, bend over to mimic the position you\u2019ll have on the bike while pinning the jersey. This will help keep the number flat against your body.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-27947 size-full lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/friend-helping-pin.jpg\" alt=\"Helping a friend pin their race number\" width=\"825\" height=\"550\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/friend-helping-pin.jpg 825w, https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/friend-helping-pin-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/friend-helping-pin-768x512.jpg 768w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 825px) 100vw, 825px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 825px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 825\/550;\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>Number Pinning Solo<\/h3>\n<p>The pillow technique is our go-to choice to pin your race number solo. Wrapping your jersey around your pillow mimics the shape of your body, allowing you to pin the number just like it would be pinned if you were wearing the jersey.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-27948 size-full lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/pin-with-pillow.jpg\" alt=\"Number pinning using pillow\" width=\"825\" height=\"550\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/pin-with-pillow.jpg 825w, https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/pin-with-pillow-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/pin-with-pillow-768x512.jpg 768w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 825px) 100vw, 825px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 825px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 825\/550;\" \/><\/p>\n<hr class=\"hr-procon\" \/>\n<h2>Why Pinning Your Race Number Correctly Is Worth the Extra Effort<\/h2>\n<p>In summary, you need to have race numbers pinned to your jersey in a way that allows officials to score them. If the number isn\u2019t visible, you can\u2019t expect to get proper credit for your performance; at least not right away anyway&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>Next, and of equal importance, every cyclist is trying to eek out as much power as humanly possible during competition. Don\u2019t sacrifice those precious watts to unforgiving aerodynamic drag caused by a loose race number flapping around in the wind.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-27949 size-full lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/road-number-placed-well-2.jpg\" alt=\"Properly place race number\" width=\"825\" height=\"550\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/road-number-placed-well-2.jpg 825w, https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/road-number-placed-well-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/road-number-placed-well-2-768x512.jpg 768w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 825px) 100vw, 825px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 825px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 825\/550;\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>For more cycling training knowledge, listen to the<em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/podcast?utm_source=TrainerRoad%20Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog%20Post%2FEpisode%20129%3A%20Higher%20cadence%2C%20bike%20handling%2C%20crank%20length&amp;utm_campaign=TrainerRoad%20Blog%20Content&amp;utm_content=the%20Ask%20a%20Cycling%20Coach%20the%20only%20podcast%20dedicated%20to%20making%20you%20a%20faster%20cyclist\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ask a Cycling Coach \u2014 the only podcast dedicated to making you a faster cyclist<\/a>.<\/em> New episodes are released weekly.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Every second counts on race day. Don\u2019t let a poorly pinned race number add time to the clock and get in the way of your next win. How Athletes are Pinning Their Race Number Wrong The most common mistakes racers are making when pinning their race numbers is either positioning the number out of view&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":27951,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wds_primary_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[30,1265,945,1271,1272,154,1270,169,1273,1266,1267,1268,532,1269,674,677,744],"class_list":["post-27938","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-racing","tag-aero","tag-aero-tuck","tag-aerodynamics","tag-best-practices","tag-competition","tag-cycling","tag-cycling-race","tag-cycling-training","tag-number-pinning","tag-pinning","tag-race-number","tag-race-number-pinning","tag-racing","tag-seconds","tag-time","tag-time-trial","tag-tt"],"cc_featured_image_caption":{"caption_text":false,"source_text":false,"source_url":false},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27938","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/30"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27938"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27938\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/27951"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27938"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27938"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27938"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}