mad cycling skills, check!

[rapid cycler]

With time too short on weeknights to wedge in rides of any length, I've made my own little velodrome of two light-traffic blocks in my neighborhood that connect to form a horseshoe. I sprint up the slight incline block, then go easy on the decline. It's fine for maybe half an hour, then I need a little stimulation to keep me mentally engaged and alert.

One night this week I stumbled on the utterly fantastic and ridiculous idea of working on my victory gesture! Why on earth would a woman who doesn't race, and doesn't intend to start, need a victory salute? I dunno. I know I get nervous for the pro boys when I watch them do it on the TV; it would be so embarrassing to crash in the middle of a victory dance. I've never actually seen that happen, but the possibility is out there—and I have seen guys throw their arms in the air a bit prematurely and get sniped at the finish line. At any rate, I wanted to see how it felt to throw my arms in the air like I just don't care…on a bike.

I continued my sprints on the incline, but instead of loafing on the decline I started working on holding my line and maintaining enough speed to let go, a step that came easy enough, though when I say "let go," I'm really talking about keeping my hands poised just inches above the handlebars. (I was more worried about crashing the bike than crashing myself, and don't think it didn't occur to me that if a pro crashes a bike, he gets a new one handed to him without so much as a tsk.) Lap after lap I worked at sitting straight upright, inching my hands up a little more each time. I reached a point where I felt ready to actually lift my hands above chest level, but I kept either whimping out or aborting the mission because I spotted a neighbor and didn't need them questioning my mental fitness. Every time I aborted an attempt, I had to sprint another lap to come around to the testing ground again. In turn I ended up doing waaaay more laps than I otherwise would have.

Anyway, I finally managed to do it, and it felt really cool! And along the way I gained a lot of confidence in my balance and center of gravity, which I imagine will pay off on long rides in the form of less tension carried in my neck and shoulders. I was also pleased at how comfortable I became at sitting bolt-upright in my saddle and maintaining control with just a fingertip grasp of my handlebars—I've added a new stretch-and-destress position to my arsenal! So, while I don't see myself employing my victory gesture anytime soon—and it's really not all that impressive; no fist-pumping action or anything like that—I actually managed to learn valuable lessons and cultivate minor skills simply by acting stupid!

[salsabike]

I like this! Thanks.

[madscot13]

who doesn't need a victory arm throw?

Those without imagination.
Those who have never imagined themselves winning the race.
Those who have never beat the stoplights, spandex rider, car, or other
hazard.
Those who cannot feel a perfect ride come to a perfect close.

I am happy you are not one of those people and are prepared for the occasion.

[Jiffer]

Very cool! I love your story telling abilities.

As a kid I have ridden with no hands from time to time, and on the heavy cruiser I had a couple of years ago, but haven't dared it yet on my new road bike and probably won't for some time. It's a whole different feel. It's so light that I was a little wobbly on it at first. I just don't need to go there! I applaude you!

[RoadRaven]

This made me smile... and want to do it...

Except its dark outside...

[Mr. Bloom]

With our luck around here, the Silver's are best keeping their hands on the handlebars!

I especially like your concern over what the neighbors may think

[margo49]

Go, lady, go!

Shee-yit, Rapid, I thot I was the only one doing this. Now I feel much better. Actually I do it in the middle of rides too, but by mental visualisation (or whatever it's called). To me *every* ride is a tappa of the Giro or an etape du Tour...
It's coz I'm just soooooo happpppy and so full of energy.

[gnat23]

Well, CHEERS for acting stupid! I am so stealing this idea. Not only for a victory huzzah, but also useful for taking-off-windbreaker while riding usefullness.

YOU GO, GIRL! THROW YA HANDS IN DA AIYER!

-- gnat!

[CR400]

What do you mean most of you haven't tried out your victory salute. Hey I haven't won a race yet but you never know it may come in handy. I have even gone so far as to work on my sprinting, pushing the bike over the line in the last spurt. Needless to say my friend thaught I was dumb with that part. He told me to start being competetive in races before I worried about that. So what It helps me to keep from sliding back so far in groups when I sit. So it does have a point.

[Zen]

It's a victory for me when I take one hand off the bars to scratch my nose

[Teddy]

Oh my God! This made me laugh out loud!! And although I have only practiced this gesture (complete with fist pumping action) on a spin bike, I full well intend to practice it on my road bike...someday...heavy sigh. And I have the added benefit of not worrying about my neighbors or people in town questioning my mental state since they already think I'm not quite right. Compared to running through my neighborhood in my pink Tony Soprano bathrobe and Sorrel's -- at 5am chasing down my fence busting horses, a victory gesture on a bike is nothin'...

My boyfriend can change clothes while on his bike - which makes me incredibly jealous...

...well, just the top stuff - pretty sure he can't change his pants on a bike.