Originally Posted by mandovoodoo
Tip: Beginners & intermediates, go to a parking lot, empty one, and really learn the limits of your bike's cornering and handling ... Tip: Practice emergency stops.
Good points. You know what else should be practiced? I was reading last month's issue of Bicycling magazine, and they had a really good article about Bike Cop School. I've picked up some of the techniques in that article, and they've really helped my riding.
Things like... riding as slow as you can with your brake on to reduce the center of gravity. Things like keeping your balance at sloooooow speeds.
I spend about an hour a week practicing slow riding, track stands, and making little donuts around the manhole covers in my street. All in the vein of learning to balance better on the bike.
Another tip? While you are practicing your slow riding, practice clipping and unclipping, too. Oh, and practice looking back over your shoulder while keeping the bike moving straight forward.
Tim.