Look Ma, no hands...I wish...

[HoosierGiant]

As for removing a water bottle to drink while still pedaling, are you moving the hand that's remaining on the bars to a position closer to the stem rather than keeping it on the hood? Seems like a simple thing, but the physics behind it make for a much more stable ride.

[MommyBird]

Eden-
Thank you for the helpful advice.

Even hubby had a Giant MB that he could not take both hands off of.
I am pretty sure my bike is stable. My skill is just lacking.

As for removing a water bottle to drink while still pedaling, are you moving the hand that's remaining on the bars to a position closer to the stem rather than keeping it on the hood? Seems like a simple thing, but the physics behind it make for a much more stable ride.

I keep my left hand on the hood. Can't get too far from the brake! I know, braking with one hand can lead to disaster (been there on my MT) but it's a mental crutch. I will ask hubby what he does.

Did I mention I sometimes steer slightly towards where I am looking...another major newbie problem that I am working on. Should I start another thread?

Hubby is keeping me safe on our 8 mile park loop and one lightly traveled "real road" until I graduate.

Thanks to all for the support!

[staceysue]

LOL that's how I crashed my bike. I was trying to take a drink and just went right off the road into the grass, really slow. It was embarassing.

[Kalidurga]

Did I mention I sometimes steer slightly towards where I am looking...another major newbie problem that I am working on.

As I understand it, that's exactly what you're supposed to do. The trick is making sure that you're looking towards where you want to steer. That's how you avoid obstacles-- Notice the obstacle, then look for a line around it and focus on that. Your wheels will follow where you look. Perhaps noticing where your eyes are going would also help when you try to take a hand off the bar to reach for your water bottle or tug your arm warmers.

And, contrary to that, practicing keeping the bike straight while looking behind you could also help with figuring out the right place to put one hand on the bar and how to shift your weight.

[pfunk12]

I don't have any advice for you other than - maybe with time it will get easier?? I started riding a bike less than 2 years ago (after not riding for 17 years). I remember my first time out. I was going up a hill and a guy went to pass me on the left. I went to reach for my water bottle and I swerved into him but I didn't hit him. I apologized and told him that it was my first ride in 17 years! Balance was a HUGE issue for me early on. I also remember riding with some random guy and I tried to blow my nose and I swerved into him, too! I can't remember how or when it got easy for me. It just did with time. I also marvel at cyclists who can take clothes off while riding with no hands. I am so jealous.

[Grits]

It took a while for me to develop that skill.

Practice in safe places - on nice, flat, straight stretches maybe in a neighborhood as opposed to the road so less traffic. Try riding one handed for stretches of time to develop the strength and steering capability of that arm. Don't try to get your water bottle while riding until you feel comfortable riding one handed for a little while.

Do it in steps.

Glance down quickly, see exactly where your hand needs to go. Look back up!

Reach down while still looking ahead and get your water bottle. Hold it, make sure you are balanced.

Take a drink. Make sure you are balanced.

Glance down, see where it needs to go. Look back up.

Reach down and put it in the holder.

I ride with one friend who has been riding a little less than a year and only drinks when we stop, so you are certainly not the only one! It will be second nature before you know it.

[lph]

I would add - practice thinking it before doing it. Try thinking of riding with one hand, steering with one hand, and just relaxing the other, or removing it briefly from the bars without doing anything with it. Just feel what it feels like, you may feel that you have to use your core more to stay in balance.

Once you have a feeling for how you actually ride your bike with only one hand without veering or wobbling you can start thinking about what you want to do with that spare hand

Try isolating the leaning forward movement too, try practicing it while riding without actually touching the bottle or removing your hands. It helps if your body recognizes part of the movement pattern from before.

[Owlie]

I have a death grip on the handle bars because I don't have the core strength yet (working on it!) to keep my weight off my arms. BF's advice was to start by releasing the grip and just rest my palms somewhere on the bars so I could grab the brakes if need be, then start moving my hands around to other spots. I'm finally okay with adjusting my glasses or brushing wayward strands of hair out of my face, but I still can't grab the water bottles out of their cages. I'm thinking of investing in a Camelbak for the time being.

[cylegoddess]

It took me time too! Now I can do it like the pros! You will too!

[moderncyclista]

Core strength is important, but also what gear are you riding in?
Your small ring, and middle ring (in front) aren't usually sufficient for riding no hands and maintaining balance whilst doing so. Switch to the big ring in front and a small ring in back and pedal at a decent speed. That is the only way I know of to get it done.

You can leave one hand on the bars (nothing is wrong with safety), which I recommend in urban areas. Master pulling the water bottle out one-handed and replacing it at low comfortable speeds. Not everyone needs to ride "no hands." Hydration and your personal safety are more important than looking cool.

[tctrek]

I would add - practice thinking it before doing it. Try thinking of riding with one hand, steering with one hand, and just relaxing the other, or removing it briefly from the bars without doing anything with it. Just feel what it feels like, you may feel that you have to use your core more to stay in balance.

Once you have a feeling for how you actually ride your bike with only one hand without veering or wobbling you can start thinking about what you want to do with that spare hand

Try isolating the leaning forward movement too, try practicing it while riding without actually touching the bottle or removing your hands. It helps if your body recognizes part of the movement pattern from before.

+1 on breaking down the action into it's smallest parts. just riding with one hand, but not going for the bottle. Then riding with one hand and just trying to touch the bottle. Progressing up to removing the bottle just a touch and pushing it back into the holder, etc. I was riding for a year before I figured out how to do this. And I started out, just drinking when I was on a piece of road where I could coast without pedaling. I got the bottle out and drank while coasting and just steering with one hand. Worked my way up to pedaling while drining.

So, take baby steps. The worst thing you can do is allow yourself to get dehydrated on the bike!

[MommyBird]

Wow, lots of good information. I will be rescanning this a few times to absorb it all. Thank you so much.

I had a few breakthroughs on my ride this afternoon.
I concentrated on centering my weight. That helped a lot.
I was able to ride a short distance with my weight on my right hand and my left off but still close to the bar.
I moved my hands around the bars instead of staying on the hoods close to the breaks.
I reached for my left rear jersey pocket to check for the truck keys. This was preformed like second nature after all the little experiments I had been doing throughout my ride.

I also glanced behind myself to check for traffic and held my line.

My stopping was more efficient and comfortable as well.

I feel ready to work on that rolling drink next ride.
I know I will never be as adept as my husband but I am pretty sure I can regain the skills I had 20 years ago on a road bike and still have today on my mountain bike.