Look Ma! No Hands!

[Veronica]

Thom took this picture while riding one handed in front of me. Why good bike handling skills are important - PICTURES!!!!

The Ups of Ebbet's Pass



And the downs...



These two were taken on the same corner.

There's a short write up and more photos on our website.

V.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Ultra cool!!!! Beautiful Rivendell Legolas.
Hey what's the thing on top of your bars- a laser gun or somethin'?

What a great ride that looks to be. How hot was it? I notice major water being packed....

[solobiker]

Nice pics!! Looks like a fun trip. There are some nice "hills" out here in Colorado if you ever find your way out here

[Veronica]

It was in the upper 80s. We weren't sure how far we were going to go, and there is nothing out there. I drank all the water in my camel back. That was my first road ride with it. I use it all the time on my mountain bike. I wasn't thrilled to have the weight on my back, but it was nice to know I had oodles of water.

The thing on my handlebars is a GPS.

V.

[Mr. Bloom]

I can't do that yet

[Aggie_Ama]

I can't do that yet

Pretty much once you figure out the balance you are good to go. I had to figure out what to do with some top weight I didn't have when I was 10 , but now I am able to ride hands free like I did back then. Nothing like V though!

Veronica- that looks really pretty, where there any cars?

[Veronica]

Very little traffic. I'm not sure we had any going down.

V.

[velogirl]

the secret to riding no-handed is commitment. you can't lift your hands and hover over the bar -- your weight will be too far forward on the bike. over the years we've taught this skill to 100s of men and women. many of them say they'll never be able to do it. but in all these years, no one has failed this skill.

here's how I teach this skills:

1. put your hands on the tops
2. sit very upright on the saddle -- really up on your sitbones (not forward on your soft tissue). this centers your weight over the bottom bracket.
3. release one hand from the bar and place it on your thigh. I don't recommend holding your hands to the side or above your head (changes balance -- more advanced skills).
4. release the second hand and place it on your other thigh.
5. keep looking up. never look down at your bike.
6. try this pedalling (in a variety of gearing choices) and coasting. my experience has been that when folks are just learning this skill, they feel more stable slightly overgeared, pushing a lower cadence.
7. smile (it keeps you relaxed).
8. use your hips to steer. for more agressive steering, you can push your thigh agains the nose of the saddle.

[lph]

1. put your hands on the tops
2. sit very upright on the saddle -- really up on your sitbones (not forward on your soft tissue). this centers your weight over the bottom bracket.
3. release one hand from the bar and place it on your thigh. I don't recommend holding your hands to the side or above your head (changes balance -- more advanced skills).
4. release the second hand and place it on your other thigh.
5. keep looking up. never look down at your bike.
6. try this pedalling (in a variety of gearing choices) and coasting. my experience has been that when folks are just learning this skill, they feel more stable slightly overgeared, pushing a lower cadence.
7. smile (it keeps you relaxed).
8. use your hips to steer. for more agressive steering, you can push your thigh agains the nose of the saddle.

coool. I would LOVE to learn this. I'm guessing it depends a little on how twitchy a bike you have, and how well it's fitted?

I've tried, and can feel myself doing all of the above steps ;-) but haven't been able to really commit for more than a few seconds. I'm a bit too freaked out by the possibility of a sudden swerve and endo while I'm sitting back there without control of my front wheel.

But a bit of speed and overgearing does help that swervy feeling.

I need to find somewhere soft to land!

[DirtDiva]

In my experience, it's an easier trick to pull off on a heavier bike too.

Cool photos, V.

[wannaduacentury]

Great Pics V. I have a sleeveless jersey almost like yours. and the bike is lovely and the scenery-WoW! Jenn

[Pika]

Great Pics V!
It looks like a perfect day
Blue sky, sunshine, a clear road......
very very nice

[mimitabby]

okay (giving in to peer pressure) I took my hands off the handlebars this morning for 1/2 of a second phew.

maybe i'll try a little longer another time.

Lovely pictures!

[7rider]

Wheeeee!!!! I'm flying!!!!

There is something....liberating...about riding no-handed.

Plus...it's great for stretching out the creaky back muscles on a long ride.
..and for the really brave and skilled, for taking off the jacket after you warm up without bothering to stop, slipping off the arm-warmers, unwrapping that Cliff bar, etc., etc.

[Celeste]

WOW! Those are just the coolest pictures!