Bike Drills/Goofing off

[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

[LadyinWhite]

You can bet I'll start out with more of this type of stuff when I get back on the bike.... Right now I can't even get my bike shoes on, let alone ride no handed!

The shoes I've got down, the no handed? Not even close!

[Kitsune06]

I do best pedaling Miz Cakes. The 'seat tilt' thing actually comes in partially b/c of the slipperiness of my brooks...

[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.