Fifty Plus (50+) - Anyone ever do this?

On my long ride the other day, I sorta stumbled on a new position that was darn comfortable! I got to riding with one arm behind my back, resting on my lower back, if that makes any sense. Rather like the position I've seen Olympic speed skaters use, although I was in no way attempting to mimic them.

Anyway, I found it was rather relaxing and something a bit different for my arm. First one, then the other. I don't think I've ever ridden in this position before. Is it something very common and I've just never seen it, or have I discovered something new? We could call it the DG tuck! :D

The DG tuck, right before the DG roll.

On my long ride the other day, I sorta stumbled on a new position that was darn comfortable! I got to riding with one arm behind my back, resting on my lower back, if that makes any sense. Rather like the position I've seen Olympic speed skaters use, although I was in no way attempting to mimic them.

Anyway, I found it was rather relaxing and something a bit different for my arm. First one, then the other. I don't think I've ever ridden in this position before. Is it something very common and I've just never seen it, or have I discovered something new? We could call it the DG tuck! :D

The "DG Tuck" -- that's funny!

I've seen in done in indoor cycling classes. I won't do it b/c it's contraindicated. If the one hand on the handlebars slips, well, ouch.

Never tried it on my Dolce, either. I'm either hammerin' so hard to keep up with the pack that blinking is scary, or attacking a hill in such a way that both hands better be holding on or I'm sunk.

Given what I know of your riding style this mght be just the position for you. I'm thinking Apolo Anton Ohno on wheels. :D

The DG tuck, right before the DG roll.

LOLOLOL........good one, Terrierman.

Yeah, I get the image but my LeMond feels a lot better when I keep two hands on the bars for the most part.

BTW, anyone else just totally thrilled with the Tiaga-style shifters?
I've had rapid shifters, stem-mounted and down-tube mounted -no bar end shifters- and these things just tickle me.

I have ridden like that for 10 or 15 seconds,on a long ride, and it helps relax the shoulder and arm muscles. But riding with one hand for any longer might not be too safe. There are too many hazards on the road.

The "DG Tuck" -- that's funny!

I've seen in done in indoor cycling classes. I won't do it b/c it's contraindicated. If the one hand on the handlebars slips, well, ouch.

Never tried it on my Dolce, either. I'm either hammerin' so hard to keep up with the pack that blinking is scary, or attacking a hill in such a way that both hands better be holding on or I'm sunk.

Given what I know of your riding style this mght be just the position for you. I'm thinking Apolo Anton Ohno on wheels. :D

This is what comes of doing laps. Pretty soon you'll find that one leg is longer than the other.......................its a slippery slope.

The long distance forum riders have mentioned riding with your arm / hand combo shaped like an "L" behind your back. I stretches the upper neck and chest muscles and helps keep the numbing sensation of long distance rides at bay.

I think you hit upon the same technique on your own. It works well. I do it all the time for short periods.

The long distance forum riders have mentioned riding with your arm / hand combo shaped like an "L" behind your back. I stretches the upper neck and chest muscles and helps keep the numbing sensation of long distance rides at bay.

I think you hit upon the same technique on your own. It works well. I do it all the time for short periods.


+1 it is indeed a good stretching position, and it gives you practice reaching for the energy bar you've got tucked away in the middle back pocket.

Yeah, I get the image but my LeMond feels a lot better when I keep two hands on the bars for the most part.

BTW, anyone else just totally thrilled with the Tiaga-style shifters?
I've had rapid shifters, stem-mounted and down-tube mounted -no bar end shifters- and these things just tickle me.

The only road bike I owned prev has downtube shifters, didn't care for them, do like the brifters on my Reno much better! Between the prev road bike (30 yrs ago!) and the Reno, I had ridden nothing but a mtn.bike with trigger shifters, so brifters took a little getting used to, but they sure are nice!
And I like the Reno also! But I don't think I'll be riding it with one hand behind my back any time soon!

Sounds pretty Californian to me. Exercise and yoga - first one arm, then both, then one leg, then both - exhale deeply, close your eyes, OMMM, .....astral flying

Don't think the Belgians go in for it much, though

No. bad idea.:eek:

On my long ride the other day, I sorta stumbled on a new position that was darn comfortable! I got to riding with one arm behind my back, resting on my lower back, if that makes any sense. Rather like the position I've seen Olympic speed skaters use, although I was in no way attempting to mimic them.

Next you'll need a jersey with the pockets in the back so you don't have to hold your hand up.

So which hand/arm do you use? I'm hopeful you know which brake is on the front and which one is the rear. Mashing the front brake hard while not hitting the rear brake.........well, causes breaks!!!

A lot of you seem worried I'm going to crash in this position. So let me say a couple of things: I don't do it for long periods of time, I only do it on relatively flat, straight, benign, un-busy stretches of road, and it's no different than going no-handed for twenty or thirty yards or so. I do that, as well, to get in a stretch.

And yes, I know which brake does what! :D

I tried the "DG Tuck" today. It is restful and probably less dangerous that pulling out a water bottle, drinking, and then replacing the bottle, which I also do on a regular basis.

Is it something very common and I've just never seen it, or have I discovered something new? We could call it the DG tuck! :D

You discovered a new way to kill yourself :eek:

I only do it on relatively flat, straight, benign, un-busy stretches of road,

Doesn't that pretty much describe your entire ride :D

Doesn't that pretty much describe your entire ride :D
No, there are curves here and there! :D

Better left to the speed skaters; not the cyclists. However, I have fumbled around in my jersey pocket for something while riding. I didn't like reaching back like that.

This is what comes of doing laps. Pretty soon you'll find that one leg is longer than the other.......................its a slippery slope.

Excellent for riding round and round on the side of mountains;) .

I want to be able to ride with no hands, maybe this is a way to work up to that. But at the same time this whole thread has kind of put the scare in me.

On my long ride the other day, I sorta stumbled on a new position that was darn comfortable! I got to riding with one arm behind my back, resting on my lower back, if that makes any sense. Rather like the position I've seen Olympic speed skaters use, although I was in no way attempting to mimic them.

Anyway, I found it was rather relaxing and something a bit different for my arm. First one, then the other. I don't think I've ever ridden in this position before. Is it something very common and I've just never seen it, or have I discovered something new? We could call it the DG tuck! :D
or,
"the old reach-around"

One of Zinn's books talks about doing this on a stationary trainer to improve flexibilty and such. Will try it tomorrow when there is a soft place to land.