Commuting - unexpected benefit

I'm in week 3 of commuting now. I'm enjoying it, especially since it's getting harder to motivate myself to ride before breakfast now that daylight hours are at their shortest, and I've noticed an unexpected benefit. As a result of commuting, I need lights on my commuter bike. The lights don't lie. I found out that I wobble like crazy when I ride. Why else would my light's pattern of illumination on the road shake back and forth so much? I find that I'm wobbling less now that I'm so acutely aware of it at night thanks to riding with lights.

Ride on one of these. Your wobble problem will be corrected in no time. Make sure to ride in a hallway or door frame or someplace where you can catch yourself.

http://www.branfordbike.com/trainer/train2.html#item1

If you're wobbling you are probably trying to "steer" with the handlebars. Riding is more about balance and subtle leaning. Loosen your grip. Ideally you should be able to ride a straight line with no hands, although I don't recommend taking your hands off the bars except to test yourself.

It's the solstice dude! The days are getting longer starting today!

It's the solstice dude! The days are getting longer starting today!


yeyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Maybe the light mount is wobbly, not you. (Always blame the equipment!)

If you're wobbling you are probably trying to "steer" with the handlebars. Riding is more about balance and subtle leaning. Loosen your grip. Ideally you should be able to ride a straight line with no hands, although I don't recommend taking your hands off the bars except to test yourself.
You described my problems quite accurately. My balance sucks, and I seem to "steer" way too much. My ability to ride in a straight line without hands currently lasts for about 1 second (if even that) before I feel like I'm losing control. I know rollers would help. I'm considering it, though it's hard to tell where I might put rollers in my apartment, and even harder to want to ride inside when living in San Diego.

Maybe the light mount is wobbly, not you. (Always blame the equipment!)
Sadly, sometimes, it's clearly not the equipment's fault. :(

You described my problems quite accurately. My balance sucks, and I seem to "steer" way too much. My ability to ride in a straight line without hands currently lasts for about 1 second (if even that) before I feel like I'm losing control. I know rollers would help. I'm considering it, though it's hard to tell where I might put rollers in my apartment, and even harder to want to ride inside when living in San Diego.


You can and improve your balance and feel for the bike by setting up some cones in an empty lot and doing a slalom course...we used to use the lines in the parking lots or on the roads when we were kids. You gotta learn to get your body and the bike working in harmony. See the bike, feel the bike, be the bike...aaaahhhhmmmmmm :D

Ride on one of these. Your wobble problem will be corrected in no time. Make sure to ride in a hallway or door frame or someplace where you can catch yourself.

http://www.branfordbike.com/trainer/train2.html#item1

If you're wobbling you are probably trying to "steer" with the handlebars. Riding is more about balance and subtle leaning. Loosen your grip. Ideally you should be able to ride a straight line with no hands, although I don't recommend taking your hands off the bars except to test yourself.

Wow, someone still makes PVC rollers?

I'm with vegcrow -- riding rollers will help that balance problem. You will see your imperfections even more on the rollers than what you saw with the light on your commuter. And most roller sets fold up and fit nicely behind an easy chair or couch. They are pretty convenient.

Here's another tip from a motorcycle perspective: You don't steer a motorcycle either. And contrary to all appearances, leaning does not create the turn; the bike is heavier than the rider (usually!) and will keep going in a straight line. You push the handlebars to create the turn, the lean comes afterward. Try this on your bicycle... get moving in a straight line, and shift your weight back so that you're not leaning on your handlebars. Gently push your left handlebar forward. This will make you turn left. Same on the right. It is completely counter-intuitive.

Thanks for the tips, vegcrow and company. I'll definitely work on my balance. Okay, you guys have convinced me to try rollers in 2006. I'll add it to my list of things to do on a bike, next in priority after riding a century (one planned for Jan 28, 2006).

Make sure your seat is adjusted correctly. To high will make you reach for the pedals. Also check the angle. If it is sloping forward, you'll be using the handlebars to support your weight.

The last bit has to do with what you are looking at while you are riding. Try to look about 25 to 40 ft in front. You want to focus on where you want to go. Basically, whatever you look at is were you'll go. Lastly, try not to fixate or over think about wobbling while you ride. Relax your pedal stroke, and enjoy the scenery (keep an eye on the traffic now and then).

One thing about riding rollers that needs mentioning... You have to pay attention to your line. If you let your bike wander off the roller, you may be halfway through the wall in front of you in a sec.

One thing about riding rollers that needs mentioning... You have to pay attention to your line. If you let your bike wander off the roller, you may be halfway through the wall in front of you in a sec.
This is a pretty common misconception. A lot of people believe that if you manage to ride off the rollers, you'll end up flying forward like a jet being shot off an aircraft carrier. In reality, all that really happens is you get a quick squeak from your tires stopping abruptly, and you tip to the side, no (or an extremely small) forward velocity. You have to be just as careful though, if you're clipped in, you may not clip out fast enough and you'll land on the infamous glass coffee table.

See the bike, feel the bike, be the bike...aaaahhhhmmmmmm :D

Caddyshack! I knew that quote I just couldn't place it till now. Drug Chevy was funnier than no-drug Chevy.

Maybe the light mount is wobbly, not you. (Always blame the equipment!)

Agreed, the light mount is wobbly. You need a new bike! One with lots of carbon fiber and fancy sounding Italian components. :D

It's the solstice dude! The days are getting longer starting today!

You are correct that the days are getting shorter but we aren't out of the woods yet! The sun has been setting later since 10 December (sets at the same time from 5 Dec to 10 Dec) but it is also rising later in the morning as it will until 5 January at which point it reverses direction.