balance issues- what is the deal?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Even after riding for 6 months and over 1500 miles I still was not able to grab my water bottle and drink from it while riding.
Now after a year and about 3500 miles riding, I can just grab my water bottle and drink while riding one handed, scratch my head, adjust my clothes, even ride no handed for a "little ways" now. It will come. When we are older we learn new things a bit more slowly I think- especially physical skills. And yes, some bikes are easier to balance on than others, but I think your balance will definitely improve a great deal no matter.

[VeloVT]

Even after riding for 6 months and over 1500 miles I still was not able to grab my water bottle and drink from it while riding.
Now after a year and about 3500 miles riding, I can just grab my water bottle and drink while riding one handed, scratch my head, adjust my clothes, even ride no handed for a "little ways" now. It will come. When we are older we learn new things a bit more slowly I think- especially physical skills. And yes, some bikes are easier to balance on than others, but I think your balance will definitely improve a great deal no matter.

This pretty much describes my experience. Lisa's right, balance comes in time. I started out nervous and unable to swat bugs and a year and a month later, I can drink at 20+ mph without swerving, try that scary-looking super-aero position I saw Linus Gerdemann (sp?) do on the downhills on his winning stage (sitting on the toptube, handlebars cutting into your throat) (of course I didn't try this downhill or going fast, just on a section of flat road with NO traffic), and now, finally, do the no-handed victory salute (and am learning to steer no-handed...). And find and put on lip balm, grab things out of my pockets, etc., at speed.

And my bike's on the squirrely side, handlebars quite a bit lower than the saddle. So, give it time.

[Tuckervill]

And you know, you can practice taking one hand off at a time, when you don't have to wipe your nose or whatever. Just ride around the block and try it. Go at a pretty good clip, because that will help you stay in balance. (It takes real skill to go slow with no hands.)

I think it's important not to look at your bars or in the distance, but keep your line of vision out ahead of your wheel when you practice. At least, that's what happens to me when I get wobbly. I usually only get wobbly when I'm checking back behind me and lift my hand for some reason. The action to recover seems to have me looking ahead of the wheel, and it seems to be key in getting my balance back. My hands and body correct react, and my eyes aim ahead of the wheel for a second.

Hope that helps.

Karen