Climbing out of the saddle

[leah]

I watch other cyclists climb out the saddle and they seem to be sort of gracefully "jogging" the bike side to side. When I try to do that, I feel like my weight is distributed properly but I just sort of end up jerking the handlebars back and forth and it feels so awkward. I wish I could figure out what they are doing exactly - it's hard to imitate.

[Blueberry]

I watch other cyclists climb out the saddle and they seem to be sort of gracefully "jogging" the bike side to side. When I try to do that, I feel like my weight is distributed properly but I just sort of end up jerking the handlebars back and forth and it feels so awkward. I wish I could figure out what they are doing exactly - it's hard to imitate.

That kinda sounds like your upper body is too tight. You have to let the bike move under you to be able to climb out of the saddle on the road. I think that's part of the reason I can't do it on the trainer - I can't let the bike rock (I don't have a rocking trainer).

[Crankin]

I can't stand on the trainer, either, Blueberry. If I do, it has to be in the hardest gear, and then it kills my knees. While I find it takes much more energy and slows me down on the road, I can stand. I also see people looking so natural when they stand; not me.
I don't like the elliptical for this reason. When the resistance is hard enough, it hurts my knees.