Help! Don't know how to relax ..........

[FreshNewbie]

Hello everybody ! So happy to join this great forum, and read so many great posts. Decided to address my own problem , and hope to receive some great information from you girls.
I just started biking, I am 22 and last time I biked was when I was about 15-16 years old. Don't have much experience, however decided to join my boyfriend to have fun together. I have on big problem, I don't know how to relax my upper body so that I don't grab on the handlebars so tight. This causes one major problem for me - which is I lose the balance on the bike because I am so tight in my upper body. Please, share your experiences and tell me what would be the best way to improve this.

Best regards, Marina

[loni0908k]

I never lost balance b/c of a tight grip, but when I started biking, late last year, I was really sore b/c of how tense I got on the bike. It's probably just going to take TITS (time in the saddle) to cure this one, you are going to become more comfortable each and every time you ride your bike, and you wont feel the need to hold on for dear life anymore! So, relax, know that if you fall, you'll just have to get up, and keep cycling, it gets better, and more fun every day!

[FreshNewbie]

I figured that would be the solution to my problem I am just can't wait to get more comfortable on the bike so I can ride longer and faster. My boyfriends says that he saw my hands go white when I hold the handlebars Anyway, thank you for the input.

[alison_in_oh]

My boyfriends says that he saw my hands go white when I hold the handlebars

Wiggle your fingers every so often, like you're playing air piano. And practice riding a straight line (stay on the edge line of the road for example); you'll find that you need a delicate touch to do this.

[FreshNewbie]

I am going to try this coming weekend, also I changed the saddle position as it was tilted downward a little ( maybe that was the problem ) . I found myself enjoying it so much, and also addicted to this forum. It's sad that i didn't discover this sport before.

[RoadRaven]

Hey there Fresh, welcome to the forum
I agree with the others too. Just let yourself relax into it, it may happen slowly, but it will happen. And all of a sudden the bike will feel like an extension of yourself and you will wonder why you ever held on tight in the first place.

[DeniseGoldberg]

If you use your abs & back muscles to support your upper body, you won't need to have the full weight of your body (and the associated pressure) on your hands.

Also - make sure you aren't riding with your elbows locked. A slight bend is a good thing.

--- Denise

[FreshNewbie]

This is amazing how supportive women at this forum are!
Reading all the posts I am actually thinking to consider getting myself clipless soon, but before this I want to get control of that "relaxation" problem I have. Riding in my Nike Shox is not something I wanna do for much longer

Marina

[slinkedog]

Hey Fresh! Welcome aboard!

I, too, was having tension issues. One thing that helps me is using breathing techniques. I try to regulate my breathing as much as possible and concentrate on it. It also helps me to make sure I'm not locking my elbows, change hand positions frequently and roll my shoulders often.

[loni0908k]

No clipless yet? I know most people wouldn't recommend this, but I started with clipless the first day I got on the bike. It's amazing how much more "connected" (literally & figuratively) you feel to your bike. It helps you feel as though the bike is just an extension of yourself and it helps your motions become more fluid - and so less wobbling. Something to think about. Also, I know there are a lot of opinions about which clipless brands to try, but as a newbie myself (my boyfriend also started me on this addiction), I LOVE look pedals! They're easier to clip in and out of (for a newbie) and they provide a larger base of support on your foot - check them out!http://www.lookcyclesusa.com/pp-a5-1.htm

[FreshNewbie]

Well, I actually tried clipless on my boyfriends bike ( we are the same height) and I was thinking on getting them right away. But then when I started to have all these problems with relaxing and the bike would just get out of control, I thought that clipless are too early for me since I can't even control the bike. Well now I am really considering it......Hope to go riding this weekend, will see how it will go. Skiing black diamond seems easier to me now than go clipless but I am going to be persistant.

[SadieKate]

Hi there! And welcome!

I have the same problem when I'm mtnbiking along the edge of something where there is nothing but air off to the side. Like slinke, I concentrate on my breathing and I also concentrate on looking far out into the distance. As I get tense I tend to focus closer and closer in front of my wheel which is a no-no on the road or trail. It makes it hard to ride a clean, straight line.

I have found the breathing exercises used in yoga are a great deal of help. They help me to focus, relax and block out the bad thoughts. I literally tell my brain to shut up and let my body do what it knows how to do. I try to do this silently so as not to alarm my fellow riders.

[FreshNewbie]

I definatelly will try it this weekend, and I did notice that as soon as i start looking on my frong wheel or just close infront of me I tighten up and freak out :-) Looking farther forward does help a lot. Can't wait to get out riding this weekend. I used to do Yoga, and when I ride I definatelly try to control my breathing, but then I just catch myself on being frozen like "statue of liberty". I hope to improve this weekend as I am planning to put at least 15-20 miles in.

[KSH]

Hello everybody ! So happy to join this great forum, and read so many great posts. Decided to address my own problem , and hope to receive some great information from you girls.
I just started biking, I am 22 and last time I biked was when I was about 15-16 years old. Don't have much experience, however decided to join my boyfriend to have fun together. I have on big problem, I don't know how to relax my upper body so that I don't grab on the handlebars so tight. This causes one major problem for me - which is I lose the balance on the bike because I am so tight in my upper body. Please, share your experiences and tell me what would be the best way to improve this.

Best regards, Marina

I didn't read all the responses, so forgive me if I repeat what someone else has said.

Honestly, you are going to have to remind yourself to losen your grip. Just like, if you have clipless pedals, you have to think about releasing your foot before you stop.

I know when I first started riding a motorcycle, I was so scared, my whole body was TENSE the entire time I was on it. I would get off exhausted, because of it. I didn't think about relaxing, but as I got more comfortable and confident on my motorcycle, I relaxed even more. It finally got to the point that I would sit Indian style on my seat and cruise! HA!

So... try to think about relaxing.... and maybe with time (and miles), as you get more confident riding you will losen up!

[FreshNewbie]

Thank you all for your great responses, I am still amazed how helpfull everybody are here. Hope you all have a great weekend and great rides as well :-)