Stoopid question from Noob

[Seajay]

Actually, now that I think about it a bit more. One thing we DO see a lot is women who try to step off a "standard" frame as if it were a step thru.
Rather than swinging off "horse style"
So they are straining to get that leg up so their heel clears the top tube. Even on a small bike this can be challenging. Maybe this is the issue?

[bikegrrl]

Thank you -- had a practice session tonite with video as reference. I think its a balance issue.

[Catrin]

Thank you -- had a practice session tonite with video as reference. I think its a balance issue.

Practice makes perfect The body has to learn things, just as our minds do. I remember when I first started learning how to ride 2 years ago (I am 52), getting things into my muscle memory was the most frustrating part - especially as I am the kind of woman who wants to go full-steam ahead with whatever I do

[PamNY]

Thank you -- had a practice session tonite with video as reference. I think its a balance issue.

It was definitely a balance issue for me. I can't really explain it, but I have to make sure my foot is firmly grounded before I swing my leg over.

I'm sure practice will make it better.

[malkin]

I'm pretty sure that if I read this thread carefully and think about getting off my bike, I'll start falling!

[Dogmama]

1. Decide which way you'll lean your bike when you stop. Most people lean to the right. You'll find that after awhile, the way you lean will become second nature.

For the sake of explanation, let's assume you'll lean right.

2. Before you come to a complete stop but are moving very slowly, take your right foot off of the pedal. Your left leg will be extended completely.

3. As you come to a stop lean slightly right. If this feels uncomfortable, turning your front wheel very slightly right will help you lean to the right.

4. As you come to a complete stop, your right foot will contact the ground. Hopefully nothing else will contact the ground.

[Seajay]

3. As you come to a stop lean slightly right. If this feels uncomfortable, turning your front wheel very slightly right will help you lean to the right.

I think that's reversed, Dogmama. Physics of countersteer says if you want to land on your RIGHT foot you should steer LEFT in the last couple inches of rolling.

[bikegrrl]

Unfortunately I've been avoiding the cold by riding indoor most of the time now. But I did lower the seat a tad for those few outside rides (the weather this winter has been weird) and its made a big difference.

[Dogmama]

I think that's reversed, Dogmama. Physics of countersteer says if you want to land on your RIGHT foot you should steer LEFT in the last couple inches of rolling.

Hmm, I've always turned the wheel left to lean the bike left to step out on my left foot. I figured that if you're making a left turn, the bike is going to lean left.

But I can feel (in my mind's eye) how steering right would work, except I'm feeling like I'd have to be already leaning left.

I guess the bottom line is not to land on your bottom!

[OakLeaf]

I figured that if you're making a left turn, the bike is going to lean left.

And the way you initiate a left lean is by turning the bars to the right. Now you've got a smaller tire circumference on the left side of the front tire, the contact patch is at a less than 180° angle to your forks, and the bike's going to lean to the left. It's called countersteering ...

[Dogmama]

And the way you initiate a left lean is by turning the bars to the right. Now you've got a smaller tire circumference on the left side of the front tire, the contact patch is at a less than 180° angle to your forks, and the bike's going to lean to the left. It's called countersteering ...

this sounds like technical talk to me...where is the blinkey thing?

[bikegrrl]

I've been meaning to say how helpful that link was -- It took practice but I am dismounting well now. Thanks!

[Catrin]

I've been meaning to say how helpful that link was -- It took practice but I am dismounting well now. Thanks!

Yayyyy! My problem was always the other way - getting started. I STILL don't start "properly"...but I get it done

[marni]

but I also realize this is from horseback riding that you mount and dismount a horse to the right side, so for me doing it this way is ingrained even though it's a bike and not a horse.

I grew up on a ranch in New Mexico riding cow ponies in a western saddle and they were all mounted from the left, each and every time without fail. When did it change? or does it depend on the kind of horse and saddle do you think?

just wondering

Incidentally, when I dismount my road bike (from the left of course) I have to lean it so far over to the left that the peddle touches the ground.

marni

[lph]

I grew up on a ranch in New Mexico riding cow ponies in a western saddle and they were all mounted from the left, each and every time without fail.

Me too, grew up with horses, rode race-horses for a living for four years, left side all the way. Seemed very natural to me, as right-handed I'd be leading the horse (or the bike!) on that side anyway. But my horsy years are twenty years gone, so I'd be interested to hear if there's been a change.