Bike Drills/Goofing off

[Julibird]

You are women who have wisely decided not to leave childhood all the way behind! If this stuff isn't fun, then why do it?

I was reminded of one summer day, when I wasn't allowed to drive or date, my sweetheart (Parisian exchange student) and I went secretly cruising on our bikes all around the back roads so as not to get caught, and making out while riding no handed until we were startled by the horn of an on-coming car. Never stopped to think we were flirting with danger. Aah..take me back to those effortless joys of immortal adolescence.

I can't ride no-hands like that anymore, but I think she's still in me somewhere. When this snow clears, I think I'll try no-handed again. Then add in the making-out stuff when I get really good.

Julie

[Trekhawk]

You are women who have wisely decided not to leave childhood all the way behind! If this stuff isn't fun, then why do it?

I was reminded of one summer day, when I wasn't allowed to drive or date, my sweetheart (Parisian exchange student) and I went secretly cruising on our bikes all around the back roads so as not to get caught, and making out while riding no handed until we were startled by the horn of an on-coming car. Never stopped to think we were flirting with danger. Aah..take me back to those effortless joys of immortal adolescence.

I can't ride no-hands like that anymore, but I think she's still in me somewhere. When this snow clears, I think I'll try no-handed again. Then add in the making-out stuff when I get really good.

Julie

LOL - good luck Julie!!! Let us know how you make out......umm I mean get on with the no hands riding hee hee.

[smilingcat]

Riding no hands was okay till one day...

I crashed at a century fun ride when i took my hand off the bars so I could sit straight up and enjoy the scenery. Broke my collar bone. So I don't know if its a good thing or not. These days I only take my hands off when I need to adjust the zipper on my jersey or something is stuck in my pocket like half eaten banana that I want to finish off...

And for riding hands free, I think it depends a lot on the bike you are riding. Some are far more stable and less responsive. These bikes are easier to ride hands free.

More important things are to be able to make emergency tight turns, and jumping, getting your bike to lift off the ground completely to jump over debris on the road.

One legged pedalling exercise is really good. (I hate it though)

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Track stand.

I can do it if I'm not consciously thinking about it.
Let me explain, if I'm stuck at a red light with a riding partner and we start talking, I can do a track stand. But if I'm not distracted by talking with a friend, I can only last about 10 seconds before I have to pop out of my cleats or I go over the side.

Maybe its the self-conscious thing. Don't know

[pyxichick]

We've been doing some bike handling drills with our riding group this spring. I loved the waterbottle pickup and set-down. It's great because at first you're like, no way can I get down that low! and then soon you're doing it. I also loved practicing cornering and trying not to use the brakes.

Today we practiced taking off from a stop and clipping in without looking at our feet, bumping upper bodies while riding close to each other, and touching wheels. That was a hard one, but I didn't crash, just had to clip out a couple times.

I can't wait for the next session-- obstacle avoidance.

Oh, and I realized last weekend that I can ride no-handed for as long as I want on the bike path. On the road I think there are too many hazards to do it for too long, but I was able to put on my jacket and zip it up.