no hands!!!?

Question

what it is i'm a very keen cyclist long distances and that but i can't ride taking my hand off the handle bars when i need water or stretch my arms through aching what is the knack im serious no joke[racing bike]

Answer 1

It all depends on balance. Usually you balance the bike by your hands on the handlebars. However when trying to go one or no handed you need to compensate the unbalance with the other resting point you have nl. your saddle. First of all you'll need to make sure that you are sitting straight and upright. A straight back is very important when going no hands. Just try to lower your weight a bit and after a few tries you'll find that you can balance the bike by shifting your bum around your saddle. Once you can handle this on a straight road you can even try to take turns this way. I can withouth to many hassle and I ride a race bike. (those tires are really slim)

Answer 2

Different frame geometry bikes are more or less stable. I can ride no hands in one of mine pretty easy, and not so confident in another.

Go at a steady "fast" pace, keep both legs at the same distance from the bike and the ground (level pedals), and sit back in the saddle and very straight, kind of making a curve in your back by "pushing" you back bone forward towards your tummy and bringing your chest out.
A moderate down hill could be a good spot to try this, where a helmet just is in case, at least until you are competent with this manoeuvre.

You can also stretch your back side to side and back and forth by alternating hands in the handlebar. Place the handle that grips the bar close to the centre of the handle bar for added comfort while doing this.

Answer 3

First let a buddy ride your bike no hands and make sure the frame is straight. You'd be surprised how many bikes are slightly skewed (various reasons) and it makes a difference in hands-free riding. If yours is bent, you're used to it, but it'll be obvious to your buddy as soon as he gets on it.

Second, don't attempt if it's windy out.

Third, get up to an easy cruise, riding normally, flat straight smooth surface, no traffic (parking lots are good), and without moving your body, pedal normally but just un-grip your hands. Let your hands just hover near the bars.

Feel that your balance comes from your hips. Your stability comes from the sides of your hips, up into your rib cage. Focus on keeping your hip-chest-shoulders-head steady and calm. Breath easy.

After a while it'll be easy to ride along in normal posture (bent over) without your hands on the bars. Now experiment with sitting up more. It actually gets easier when you're sitting upright, because your hips have more freedom of motion to control the bike.

Learn how by moving your hips side to side, the handlebars follow (with a slight delay).

You can do it.

Scott

Answer 4

Cycles are more stable at higher speeds. Get your speed up, sit tall in the saddle (Think horse riding so that you feel as though you are leaning back). Also, try not to move your body weight about too much. Thats it really. Practice on a straight, well paived bit of road first.

However, as an alternative, buy a Camelback. You can suck juice through a tube and not have to muck about looking for your water bottle.

Luck

Answer 5

Dammit! You'll only learn if you keep on tryin'!

Use your knees and upper body for balance, you don't necassarily need to pedal - Try taking just one hand off at first, then hold both hands just above the grips to give confidence, whilst riding no handed.

You can even ride no handed down steep rocky descents if your brave enough - gyroscopic force alnong with momentum keep the bike upright.

Answer 6

sounds to me like you need to just go out in your driveway and practice like kids do when they are young and learning something for the first time. get on your bike and practice at home not in a race where there is competition but on your own time when you are more relaxed. going no hands on a bike is relatively simple just got to have muscle control for turning or veering away from holes and things and balance. remember practice is the key. good luck my friend and post how it goes for you if you can=)

Answer 7

On two wheels the faster you go the more stable you become. It just takes practise and confidance.
Try putting one hand in the middle of your handle bars to keep you steady when your getting used to it. But seriously the faster you go the easier it is to do.

Answer 8

Well you are not suppose to take your hands off when riding a bike. Your hands are used for changing directions. I have seen people ride without using their hands. Its okay to have one hand off but not both.

Answer 9

keep you're body up right, make sure there is the same gap in between you're knees and you're bike each side

Answer 10

me 2