Quote Originally Posted by Spec&TrekGirl View Post
Does anyone have advice on how to improve bike handling skills?

I took a Road I course and it was great. I really enjoyed the on-bike bike handling skills like looking back and identifying something, quick turns, etc. What I'd like is more guidance on improving my handling skills like that.

I'll spend an hour in a parking lot practicing the things I learned in the Road I class and just working on my balance doing figure 8's and other tight turns, looking behind me, trying a few bunny hops. But it feels somewhat direction-less. Any suggestions?
You're actually doing pretty well... Many of the parking lot drills in Road I are things that you need to get out by yourself and practice on a fairly regular basis so that they become instinctive... When you need to use them, you need them really bad and don't have a whole lot of time to think about it.

I call it "dancing with your bike"... get out in a big open parking lot somewhere and practice the drills, especially until you can do them at your typical road speed. I taught a class this past weekend for the local boy scouts, and the Tuesday before went out and put in a little over 8 miles just circling through the tennis balls and getting everything dialed in. They were a little impressed when I could clean the "Control" chicane, rock dodge, quick turn and panic stop all at about 16 mph I typically walk thru the drill as a demo, then I'll ride it slow, then circle around and come back thru at (touring) speed.

The way to become a better rider is to get out and ride your bike, and never quit working to improve on your weaknesses.

Tom