Riding no hands. Who does it and why?

[zoom-zoom]

I recently crossed the 10,000 mi. threshold on my road bike and still can't do this, in spite of planking at least 2 min. every day. Is it a geometry/fit thing? My SuperSix is fairly aggressive and maybe a hair long through the top tube.

[Wahine]

I recently crossed the 10,000 mi. threshold on my road bike and still can't do this, in spite of planking at least 2 min. every day. Is it a geometry/fit thing? My SuperSix is fairly aggressive and maybe a hair long through the top tube.

If your bike has a more aggressive headtube angle or the front end is heavy for some reason, it will make it more difficult to balance. Tire width plays into it, wheelbase length all kinds of stuff. But too much weight on the front end (like clamp on tri bars or a handle bar bag) will make it nearly impossible.

When I mentioned planking, front plank is only a small part of the picture, a strong side plank is much more important and so is low back strength like bridging. So if you can do a front plank for 90 sec, that's great. but if you can only side plank for 30 sec, you don't have muscle balance or functional stability.

[Crankin]

I'm even better at side planks and bridges than front plank.
My balance issues are very specific to direction and movement, totally based on my crappy spatial orientation and visual perception.
The comments about learning to do stuff as a kid is so true. I was such a timid kid about this stuff, and it was reinforced by my family. By the time I wanted to do certain things, the learning curve was really steep.
So, if you have kids, encourage them to be daring.

[zoom-zoom]

I'm even better at side planks and bridges than front plank.

Me too. I do front and sides one day and bridges the next -- alternating days. And I don't have anything extra on the front end of my bike, aside from a little bento box. Huh...?

[Jolt]

I tried it yesterday, in the parking lot of the community center...only a few seconds, but better than I have done before. Keeping up a certain speed seems to be key. I do have a handlebar bag that I carry repair kit etc. in so that probably isn't making it any easier, but when I was using a rack bag it was a PITA when I needed to attach panniers. Might be interesting to try with it off and see how much easier it is.

[lph]

Jolt, I find that keeping up a certain effort is more important than speed. Pushing harder on the pedals engages me more with the bike. I can coast no hands too, but spin-pedalling is the hardest as there's a lot of movement but little "push".