I keep my bottle valve open when I ride. Makes it easier. I've never had trouble with leaking/spraying while riding/drinking.

I can't imagine the reverse grab described above (pinky towards top of bottle) but I'm sure it works for someone.

My only advice is just keep doing it. I was a nervous wreck when I first started riding and I had a hard time lifting one hand from the bars for 30 seconds to swat a mosquito. Now (2 years later) I can ride with no hands, I can get stuff out of my jersey pockets at 20+mph. I can look behind me without swerving and give traffic signals at 30mph riding down hill in town in traffic.

First I had to stop to drink. Then I would wait for long, straight stretches with wide shoulders and low traffic, and I'd slow down/stop pedaling/sit up with one hand on top of the bar to drink. Gradually it just got easier and more comfortable. Now I don't have to slow down or even really think about it. I can drink without swerving or slowing down when pulling my bf at 25 mph up small rollers in the drops. (Strangely, grabbing closer to the center of the bars doesn't necessarily make it easier for me...).

Somebody on this board -- Veronica, I think -- has a quote from Eddy Mercx (I probably spelled that wrong). It says, "ride lots." I believe he said that in response to a question about how one becomes a world champion, or a tour de france winner, or something like that. But basically that's the answer to getting comfortable drinking while riding too . There are still lots of things I'm bad at or afraid to do, but gradually I'm attacking them just by getting out there and riding.

(My next cycling goal is to learn how to do a track stand! Only I don't ever go out JUST to practice it, and usually while I'm at a stoplight I'm not too inclined to push my limits too hard, because it sure would be embarrassing if I fell . Slowly I'm getting closer as I sit/stand longer and longer on my bike at low/no speed before clipping out, but eventually I'm going to have to really try it).