Bike Drills/Goofing off

[Kitsune06]

Yeah, no clips. I can get the rear wheel to leave the ground by jumping and pulling the bike up with me (just a little) and using forearm and wrist to move it forward a bit, but I need a lot more practice on that b/c I lose balance a lot on landing. Trials riders just blow me away. I think I read somewhere that trials riders use pressure back against the pedals to grip (hence 'shinburger' pedals) because you don't want to do real trials clipped in (you'd eat it in fantastic ways if you couldn't bail right)

[maillotpois]

Kit - intreresting comment on the "how the seat is tilted" affecting your no hands ability. My riding partner says it's all about how your pelvis and lower abs are positioned/tilted/whatever. She's better at it than I am and tried to get me to practice at the end of our 85 mile ride (during which I pretty much bonked). Not likely!

But it's all got to be connected - weight, balance, abs, pelvis.

[Tuckervill]

Yes, riding no-hands is all in the hip flexors--the front and outside ones. It's subtle and takes finesse, and just thinking about it I can feel those flexors twitching. Sometimes a little glute squeeze, a knee moved in or out. Never like balancing a book on your head, with your hands out. Your head and arms follow the hips, the hips counterbalance the bike.

I've ridden for miles with no hands (not all at once!). When I first started riding again 3 years ago, I never thought I'd get back to the point where I could ride no-hands like that again. But...it's like riding a bike. You never forget.

Karen

[kelownagirl]

I haven't been able to lift my hands off my bike for more than a few seconds. I remember riding my ten speed all the way to school (1.5 miles) with no hands, carrying my uitar over one shoulder. The tricky part was timing it right when I got to the busy road so I didn't have to stop.

I didn't think I'd be able to learn to ride no hands again. You are giving me hope. Another goal for 2007!

[Tuckervill]

Do it!

Pick a flat spot of road that you know is pretty smooth. Get up some good speed. Don't look down at the handlebars (do check the road for any obstacles first). Stop pedaling, level your feet. Lift your shoulders, straighten your arms, and put your fingertips on the bar. See if you can keep it steady with the fingertips for a few feet, then...lift off and see how it goes.

I've found that the ultimate position I use depends a LOT upon the bike. Some bikes I have to stop pedaling, and then keep my feet level. Some I can only do it with one leg down. The bike I had in the '70s was so fine I could pedal or not or level my feet or one leg up--it didn't matter. Sometimes the terrain determines the position, too.

But then, you know all this, because you rode your bike to school with your guitar on your back! It will come back. Check that your wheels are true--that can make a difference. You can do it!

Karen