Practicing Technique

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Instead of only doing figure 8's in the parking lot, try doing a small circle about 3 times around in the same direction, then alternate. It's a slightyly different skill than a figure 8. Then do some slolum type zig-zags as well. And of course keep practicing mounting and starting, and stopping and dismounting. Way better to do all this in an empty parking lot and get your wobbly-ness over with there where you're safe.
Lisa

[pooks]

Thanks, Lisa. When I crashed and got all bruised up, it was because I'd been riding straight lines, turning corners, but not much else. When I decided to do a U-turn in the middle of a street that was plenty wide enough but I didn't have the experience to turn well enough to make it -- saw the curb coming -- tried to brake -- slowed down but still hit the curb and fell over.

So yes, circles and figure 8s are definitely on the agenda.

I've definitely gotten better at stopping, though.

And a guy at REI who was adjusting my handlebars told me to use my right brake to stop instead of both of them, but I've also read to use both. What gives there?

[eclectic]

Great ideas everyone - always new tips to pick up

Hey Pooks I can relate to the U turn - hit the sidewalk trick. I did the EXACT same thing. The BF was along and we hadn't been dating for long

I have fallen a couple of times around him and when I decided to go clipless his only comment was "Are you sure that's a good idea? you fall"

Well I went clipless and have only fallen once and even then it wasn't so bad

A drill I like is to weave in and out of something like you are a slalom skier, put sidewalk chalk circles in the parking lot in varying patterns

another idea is to draw a line (or use a parking spot line) and ride up to it at varying speeds and try to stop exactly at the line.

if I am coming to an iffy situation (no matter what type of pedal) I stand on one foot, get off the seat, hang my other foot so it is ready to come down in an instant if I make it through whatever, (gate, gravel, sharp turn, stop light) I can just hop back on the seat and start pedaling again. Sometimes I have slowed enough I have to put my foot down and push off again, but I feel better safe than sorry