kevinc

Thanks everyone for your input. The heavy guys are still adamant they will get to the bottom of the hill first. Link to the cycle forum http://groups.msn.com/hotgossipgreatexchanges/general.msnw?action=get_message&mview=0&ID_Message=7441&LastModified=4675681699094903619

Thanks Klaynos, no need to crunch the numbers, just looking for a general explanation. I agree with you but my cycle friends disagree completely.

Inspired by the Tour De France I have been running a poll on my local cycling group website asking whether a 'heavy' bicycle rider would roll down a hill faster than a 'lighter' rider. Assuming the two riders (one 50kg, one 100kg) are on identical bikes and are stopped on top of hill then roll down the hill with no pedaling and no brakes and no corners to negotiate who would arrive at the bottom of the hill first and what physics principle would be involved ? My cycle mates swear 'black and blue' the heavy rider would get to the bottom first. Thanks in advance, kevinc