Adjusting to Drops

[newfsmith]

I have had an unexpected benefit of switching to a drop bar bike. Changing position on the handlebars has always been described to me as reducing hand and arm stress on long rides. I'm not so sure of that, but it certainly makes you change your position on the saddle more and use different sets of leg muscles more. I have gone from every night being awakened by leg cramps 2 or 3 times, to no night-time leg cramps. Why didn't anyone mention that benefit to me before??

[Bike Goddess]

Drops give your back a rest as sitting upright has all the weight on you back and legs.

Once you feel comfortable in the drops you can use that position to stretch, and to give your body some variation in movement.

I also find the drops helpful when going around corners as well as picking up speed on the flats. With practice you can learn to go downhill and around corners with ease and control. After awhile you will love downhill- a nice reward for all the work it took to get up the other side! It all takes practice, practice, and more practice just like everything else in cycling!