Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - LOOK MA! ...No Hands! (how many of you can?)

Went out for another hilly 30 miles today. Nobody to photograph, nothing of interest other than my own talent!:p....Figured I'd get some kind of photo on my ride!:D

It's a cool thing and handy to be able to ride with no hands. Pictures, removing jackets, remove the helmet for the bee search, the usual! How many of you's can ride 'no hands no prollem'?

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/102308A.jpg

I work on it a little each ride. Getting more comfortable with it. I figure it's a necessary skill for long group rides. Being able to free up your hands to open snack packaging and eating while riding is very helpful. Not to mention being able to put on/take off a jacket, zip up or down your jersey, etc.

I am much better right after I true my wheels. I thought it was me on one ride when I was trying to stetch my back and couldn't go straight without my hands on the bars.

Checked the wheels and they were off. Then it wasn't a problem.

I'm good for short distances. I think I have saddle issues to work out because I have to tilt it forward to be comfortable, which makes me feel like I'm going to slip off the seat w/o hands!

I am much better right after I true my wheels. I thought it was me on one ride when I was trying to stetch my back and couldn't go straight without my hands on the bars.

Checked the wheels and they were off. Then it wasn't a problem.

I know a couple that was having problems. The woman was having a hard time controlling her bike. I looked at the back wheel, was near one of the stays. Plus the tire was showing wear signs on the edge of the tire!:eek:

I suggested taking it back as they had just had a "good" expensive tuneup. I mentioned the dish looked way off. Week after they returned with a much better adjusted wheel. Problems solved!:thumb:

I work on it a little each ride. Getting more comfortable with it. I figure it's a necessary skill for long group rides. Being able to free up your hands to open snack packaging and eating while riding is very helpful. Not to mention being able to put on/take off a jacket, zip up or down your jersey, etc.

This is me, too...working on it every ride. I got somewhat comfortable going "hands free" on my hybrid, but the faster steering of my road bike was like going back to the start.

Learned it when I was a kid and haven't forgotten. It was easier on a bike w/ a banana seat. No sliding forward.

Well, on my trike, It's pretty darn easy! Even do a no hands/no feet move. :p

On my recumbent, hands-free is suicide. The wheel is so far out in front of the rider that you can't really shift your weight to account for give in the steering.

I could do it on my Navigator, but was afraid to press my luck.

On my recumbent, hands-free is suicide. The wheel is so far out in front of the rider that you can't really shift your weight to account for give in the steering.



Oh C'mon, you can do it! Just be sure to show us the postride pics!:p

I cannot do it and am not optimistic about getting there any time soon on my road bike. Could do it as a kid, but with much more massive and "untwitchy" bike.:twitchy:

I cannot do it and am not optimistic about getting there any time soon on my road bike. Could do it as a kid, but with much more massive and "untwitchy" bike.:twitchy:


Helps if you use the inner thighs clenched on the saddle.

I finally succeeded for the first time in over 40 years on the 6-month anniversary of acquiring Radagast the Beige-and-Black. Since then, I've done as much as 3.8 miles in El Dorado Park one morning. Coulda made it a full 4 if I'd kept going the way I had been instead of taking another path.

Why do it? Because. I. Can.

I can def ride though I dunno if i could remove a jacket and pedal, my guess is i'd have to coast no handed to do something like that.

I'd be much better at it if I was riding stoker on a tandem.

I am one of those annoying no-hand fixed riders. Its actually easier than a freewheel bike. TO me anyway...

Sitting up having a stretch on the Centennial Trail segment of the 2008 Tour de Cure century.
http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v286/141/86/519101763/n519101763_526890_877.jpg

For anyone having trouble learning no-hands, try sliding your butt all the way to the back of your saddle and sitting straight up. I get way better steering control that way. (I also have a fairly relaxed bike with a very stable trail to the fork.)

I have to suspect that the bike characteristics have a lot to do with this.... will try some of the suggested techniques though.

I have been frustrated by my lack of not being able to ride hands free. I can hardly get my hands a few inches off the bar before I have to grab them because I feel so unstable.

I have 3 bikes, one will stay balanced well with no hands, another does a fair job and the last FORGET IT.

Anyhow,, I sit here in pain from my crash last week, my hands were on the bar, my eyes were not on the road, still, I am done with careless and unsafe activities.
I'm just chicken of crashing again, pain sucks.

When I was a kid, I think I rode more without hands then with.

Last year when I got my Rainier, I would let go and within a couple seconds, the handlebars would start to shake violently. If left unattended the result would be disastrous. I took the bike in and had the wheels trued, but no help. Very late last year, I had a flat and noticed that my back tire was cracking a bit, so I decided to change out both tires. When we pulled the back tire, we noticed a thick area about 4 inches long on the inside of the tire on one of the sidewalls. The rubber was twice as thick in that area as the rest of the tire and had it out of balance.

After we changed out the tires, I could let go and no matter the speed, it was smooth as silk. Last Sunday I was riding in the Shawnee National Forest, and realized that I needed to tell my wife something. Without even thinking about it, I reached with my left hand into my pocket, got the Crackberry out and used my right hand to dial. I was talking to Tracey when it hit me, I had my left hand to my ear and my right hand was hanging down and shaking off a little bar numb, and I was just peddling along. Felt really cool. Reminded me of being a kid:)

Jay

Went out for another hilly 30 miles today. Nobody to photograph, nothing of interest other than my own talent!:p....Figured I'd get some kind of photo on my ride!:D

It's a cool thing and handy to be able to ride with no hands. Pictures, removing jackets, remove the helmet for the bee search, the usual! How many of you's can ride 'no hands no prollem'?

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/102308A.jpg

It does really depend on the bike, a nice stable bike with a decently balanced weight shouldn't have a problem, some bikes though are not very stable, and that can make it nearly impossible. Another factor is weight, not total weight but distribution of weight side to side, even if the bike is stable put 4L of milk in a pannier on one side, with something light in the other pannier and it becomes impossible, you can probably figure out how I know this :D I could easily do it in 1980, so I could probably do it now, but the MTB is too unstable and the bike is not well balanced most of the time.....:(

I learned back when I used to race for Brea Velo (currently known as Velo Avanti) in Juniors. I'd go for 75 mile morning training rides and I'd carry one of the quick bowls of cold cereal. I had an a water bottle half full of milk and a banana. I would pull the bowl out of my jersey pocket while riding, flick the lid off the bowl, place it in back in my pocket, get the water bottle, squirt milk in the bowl and eat the cereal all while riding. Everyone on our team became good at doing it because we were out riding at 5-5:30 in the morning. Anyway, quite a few people can do it but it's really important to have a well balanced bike in order to stay at it. 19 miles per hour with no hands? That's really commendable. You are Da Man!!!

I have been frustrated by my lack of not being able to ride hands free. I can hardly get my hands a few inches off the bar before I have to grab them because I feel so unstable.

That's the toughest position IMO. Once you sit up and relax, it's muich easier. Need confidence to let go of the bars. It's like skating. Much better when you relax and bend the knees a little. Most are scared to relax and keep the stiff knees.

It's tough to ride with torso hunched over towards the bars. Just sit up, it'll come!

It does really depend on the bike, a nice stable bike with a decently balanced weight shouldn't have a problem, some bikes though are not very stable, and that can make it nearly impossible. Another factor is weight, not total weight but distribution of weight side to side, even if the bike is stable put 4L of milk in a pannier on one side, with something light in the other pannier and it becomes impossible, you can probably figure out how I know this :D I could easily do it in 1980, so I could probably do it now, but the MTB is too unstable and the bike is not well balanced most of the time.....:(

Hmmm,never had a problem. 3 differ roadies, hybrids, my mtb with knobbies, all easy 'nuff! I can almost do it on the tandem but Gina doesn't like it!:eek:...Don't think I'd try it tour loaded though!:p


I can ride no hands for miles! Overpasses, underpasses, turns, it's all fun!:D

19 miles per hour with no hands? That's really commendable. You are Da Man!!!


And my eyes were closed!:eek:.........................:roflmao2:

well, since i've been back in the saddle for almost a month and hadn't thought about no hands you put me up to the challenge. took about 10 minutes to get back into the groove that I had 7 years ago. it was kinda like riding a bike, you never forget :)

No hands, no problem. It's nice to be able to sit up to relax the back.

I can't do it currently, I'm unlikely to be able to do it, and the fact I can't doesn't bother me. It seems an unneeded skill for touring and commuting.

I can go for miles (assuming no stop lights) with no hands, uphill, downhill, and turns. Lock your abs, sit straight up, and pinch the nose of the saddle with your thieghs. The faster your going the easier it is to do.

When I had my old BMX back in highschool I could bike surf (one foot on seat on on headset) and that was about it trick wise.

Still can't do stoppies very well.

On my Kona, no problem, i can go around sharp corners eating ice cream and looking the other way :-P on my Sannino track bike...not so much...riding one-handed is more than interesting enough.

Hmmm,never had a problem. 3 differ roadies, hybrids, my mtb with knobbies, all easy 'nuff! I can almost do it on the tandem but Gina doesn't like it!:eek:...Don't think I'd try it tour loaded though!:p


I can ride no hands for miles! Overpasses, underpasses, turns, it's all fun!:D

Was easy enough on the road bikes, but the MTB isn't as stable, so it's difficult to get going, in no hand mode, part of the issue to though, I think it's geared too low to get up a good speed without having to really work at it.

Was easy enough on the road bikes, but the MTB isn't as stable, so it's difficult to get going, in no hand mode, part of the issue to though, I think it's geared too low to get up a good speed without having to really work at it.

i actually think it's easier with a wider tire, it def took me a day to adjust when i went from 28's to 25's to ride confidently with no hands. Can do it on my mountain bike without even thinking about it.

After not doing it since I was a kid, I tried it this past spring and was able to for a short distance. I have been going no hands every now and then on long rides to stretch out to relive stress on my back or just be in a different position for a little while. Still a little wobbly but getting better.

And my eyes were closed!:eek:.........................:roflmao2:

Hey Beanz, you da man! Hands free, sitting upright, 19 mph, taking photographs, and so damn handsome to boot (alluding to your "am i pretty" thread). If you didn't have Gina I would pop the question!

Being serious for a moment, I do wish I can ride hands free. I try eating little and often on longer rides and having to stop and eat regularly is such a pain and the loss of momentum is really frustrating. I nearly crashed trying to peel a banana. The moment I lift my hands off the bars i can feel the wobble so i don't get a chance to sit bolt upright. When riding with a group, I sometimes don't even get a chance to eat because no one wants to keep stopping.

As a kid it was just second nature.
But after 25 yr break from cycling, added 150 lbs and a twitchy bike,
I haven't gotten re-used to it yet in the 6 or 7 years I've been back on the bike.
Can't say I've tried to hard either. One hits the ground with a lot more venom at 190+, and too close to fifty yrs to bounce that well if I do.

Hey Beanz, you da man! Hands free, sitting upright, 19 mph, taking photographs, and so damn handsome to boot (alluding to your "am i pretty" thread). If you didn't have Gina I would pop the question!



Thanks! Just for ruture reference incase anything happens with Gina. I'd be looking for someone willing to maintain and support my riding lifestyle!:D

Whatever reason my bike tends to lean to the left , is my bike crooked or am I? Weight might be an issue.

No hands? Hell no. The bike is not stable for that, although, few recumbents are. Maybe I'll try it at high speed.

If you're having problems check your headset.

I have been riding for 5 years and was frustrated that I could not do this on either of my bikes (road and hybrid). I finally got a bike mechanics book and realized that my headsets were too tight. You should be able to lift the front of the bike (or have it in a stand) and very slowly turn the handlebars smoothly, without any gripping or "catching." Once I adjusted them I can now ride indefinitely without hands on a straight path/road and can even do turns without hands.

No hands, no problem. It's nice to be able to sit up to relax the back.

+1.......I do it to relax my back as well and take a swig from the water bottle too.

I have to suspect that the bike characteristics have a lot to do with this.... will try some of the suggested techniques though.

There is something to this.

Old bike (cheap flat bar road bike) I could but I really had to concentrate at it.

New bike (new Giant Alliance 1) no problemo. This bike is sooooo much better balanced and steady on the road. The difference is remarkable.

I can go for miles (assuming no stop lights) with no hands, uphill, downhill, and turns. Lock your abs, sit straight up, and pinch the nose of the saddle with your thieghs. The faster your going the easier it is to do.

Agreed on all points. It's a scary thought, but the faster you are going, the better off you are. The more momentum the wheel has going forward, the more it's going to want to stay that way. When turning, try keep your upper body perpendicular to the road and slide your hips side to side.

I also think I can ride my commuter no hands better than my MTB. With a psi difference of 50-60, it seems like the squishier tire bounces me around more.

I won't lie, when I get downtown sometimes I like to show off, go no hands and stand up. Can't pedal, of course, but it's fun, and a refreshing cool down right before I get to work.

I just happy that I've figured out how to ride up over curbs with no ass.

Whatever reason my bike tends to lean to the left , is my bike crooked or am I? Weight might be an issue.

Your bike, most likely. Generally this stems from your fork (the blades) being bent slightly to one side - generally to the side that you lean toward. So the fork is not in line with the frame. Ask your LBS about it, it's generally a pretty easy fix.

I can ride with no hands all the way to the crash site.

Your bike, most likely. Generally this stems from your fork (the blades) being bent slightly to one side - generally to the side that you lean toward. So the fork is not in line with the frame. Ask your LBS about it, it's generally a pretty easy fix. Thank you, I'll check with them, would the fact that they are Suntour shock forks add to the variables?

I found it a useful skill to acquire, as I take a lot of pictures while tooling along.

Descending, doing about 30mph on my newly built Cinelli.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t267/jd6572/2008%20rides/Misc%20ride%20pics/cockpit.jpg

I don't quite know what the situation is, but anytime I take my hands off the bars, my bike's
wheel VIOLENTLY turns to either side the wind is blowing and kicks me off the bike and I land
in the ditch road-rashed and shaking violently.

Yep. Easier with road tires than cross tires.

For me it came with greater core strength and flexibility. I only do it on smooth roads. I also find it useful for climbing, or when coasting to a stop. It's a nice way to stretch.

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd133/adrien_028/003.jpg

I definately agree the faster you go the easier it is to do.