Help with balancing

[KSH]

So is there something I can do/practice so that I can pull the water bottle out and drink while riding without going down or do I just give up and buy a camelback?
Thanks to all for any advice.

Geana in Memphis

The more hours you log on your bike... the more comfortable you will feel with getting the water bottle.

But you know... I finally just got a Camelback. Problem solved. Now, even if I am drinking at a light... and it turns green... I can get on my bike and go with no issues.

[jeannierides]

The more hours you log on your bike... the more comfortable you will feel with getting the water bottle.

Just don't do like the Gov. of Va. did...and pull out your water bottle the same time you're supposed to be crossing railroad tracks! Yikes! Believe he broke his wrist...silly man...

[Veronica]

I'm finding this whole thread about which hand to use very amusing. I'm picturing where on my road bike my hand on the handlebar is, while I'm holding the water bottle. It's somewhere near the middle of the flat part of the bar. It's no where near the brakes - front or rear. If I have to make a sudden stop, the bottle will probably get dropped as I'd prefer to brake with both hands and that is what my body is trained to do. Since the bottle in my right hand, it will end up on the side of the road, not in the middle of traffic.

If you are only using the rear brake, you only have about 30% of your normal braking power. If you brake hard with just the rear, you're probably going to skid into whatever it is you want to avoid. I think that if I really want to stop and can only have one brake, I'll take my chances with the front. Yes, I know I may endo, but I have twice as much braking power to play with.

I stand by the advice of don't drink if you think you're going to need to do any sort of emergency evasive action.

As far as balancing while you're reaching for the bottle. It gets easier with practice - just like everything else. And soon you'll find yourself not even thinking about it.

Have fun!


Veronica

[DirtDiva]

When I'm on the road I tend to drink at the stoplights. It's not like there's a shortage of 'em here...

[Nanci]

A Camelback may solve the drinking problem, but there are other reasons you might want/need to remove a hand from the handlebars for- so it's probably better to work on your balance so you can ride comfortably with one hand for short periods. You might want to one day be able to unfasten your Camelback and sling it around the front of you to dig around in it for something, without stopping! :-)

Nanci