STANDING UP...Whats the secret??

[Tokie]

Do you have good core strength? I had a tube coming out of my kidney for 3 months (long story) exiting my right flank, so I couldn't twist or do any core strength activities. Due to internal injuries healing, I wasn't allowed to pedal -AT ALL, on anything. At the end of 3 months I got on the bike - everything was ok, just poky, except standing to climb. My torso was like a wet noodle. There was absolutely no benefit from standing, in fact it was worse - quite bizarre! It took a long time to recover this strength, and to this day if I slack off, my right low back will get "tired", which was never a problem before! So much strength in cycling comes from core strength - I've seen it (not) in action! Tokie

[RoadRaven]

Hiya Deanna

What the others are saying about changing up one or two cogs at the back is right. Because you have more force when you stand, you need more resistance when you stand or the pedals can feel like they are scooting away from you.

The other thing that helped me feel in control when I was learning to stand, was being told to "hold" the nose of the saddle between my thighs. You don't actually apply pressure with your thighs, but you keep your legs positioned so that you know where the saddle is, and by default, the rest of the bike.

Good luck on your trainer, thats a good place to practice.

[Tuckervill]

I'll second the core strength, and one-up on the upper body.

Last season I never stood to climb. It felt goofy and I always felt like I would pitch over the bars. I didn't do it. I was literally afraid.

This year, after spending 9 months in boot camp, and gaining some hard muscles, I stood right up on my bike without even THINKING about it. I got to the top of the hill and was so surprised and proud of myself! I mean, wow.

So gear down, do some biceps curles and get after it!

Karen

[roadie gal]

Another thing is don't lock your knees. Keep at least a small bend in the kneed that you've got your weight on. As you get used to it, and get a little stronger, you'll be able to push down and spin without bobbing your body up and down so much. That will help a lot with the balance and feeling of stability.

[sundial]

I struggled with standing on the pedals on my road bike until I got the mountain bike. I quickly honed this skill on the trail. Then when I got back on the road bike it was so much easier.

My hubby said it also helped him considerably.

Maybe it's time to shop for a mountain bike.

[RoadRaven]

I have been thinking about this thread over the past day or so, and just want to reassure those of you who are trying to master standing that it does come together...

When I first started cycling, I couldn't stand, and when I started it felt scarey and insecure and uncontrollable.

Now (2 years later) I stand with ease to go up slight inclines... and what initially might have been only 1-2 metres of standing is now 30-40 metres.

I can stand at the top of a steep inclines just to keep my speed up for the last 10 metres or so to get over the top.

And when I start in a time trial, I stand immmediatley and the bike gets "thrown" from side to side as I power up to a good speed.

It has become part of what I do, and I know I am going to get better.

Take heart and trust yourself and allow time... it'll happen.

[lph]

I'd like to add - pull. Use a gear big enough that you have to pull with your arms to help, that will give you tension in your whole body. Lean your butt back a bit and yank on the bars to move forward and push down, lean your bike from side to side if it helps. Don't put too much weight straight down on your hands though, it will feel wobbly. hth.

[BeeLady]

Standing on my loaded Big Dummy was/is soooo easy. Then today I'm back on my Volpe for the first time in a week and almost lost it twice. The rear wheel felt like it was so wobbly. I kept practicing and finally got more comfortable standing on the last hill on the way home but will really need to work on it.

I re-read some of the posts on this thread and will keep practicing on the Volpe. I know once when I stood I was going way too fast (just off a descent and an immediate uphill).

Will work on keeping more weight back rather than over the handlebars. That seemed to be the main issue.

[bounceswoosh]

I'd like to add - pull. Use a gear big enough that you have to pull with your arms to help, that will give you tension in your whole body. Lean your butt back a bit and yank on the bars to move forward and push down, lean your bike from side to side if it helps. Don't put too much weight straight down on your hands though, it will feel wobbly. hth.

As long as you're not on a mountain bike and pull so hard you unweight the front wheel -- that can be not so great =P

[lph]

like this, you mean?

(my dh showing off)
Yeah, I know, no helmets. Rental bikes, on a small island with sandy roads and no cars

[bounceswoosh]

Is he just pulling up the wheel or actually doing a wheelie?

[lph]

He's doing a wheelie, as we ooh and aah