Foo - Can you ride no handed?

I've had a 6 month break in my riding since I learned to ride. I was shocked when I ran across people that can't ride no handed. I thought it was something that everyone that rides a bike does.

So, can you?
http://www.leelikesbikes.com/Stories/073104/Photos/SSCedricNoHands.jpg

Depends on which bike I'm riding.
The XtraGiant, yes unloaded, no chance with a load.
Beach cruiser and bomber, oh yeah, no problem.
Mountain bike, no chance.
Commuter--sorta, I can take my hands off of the bars but not for long, and I can't begin to steer it without hands.

{edit** it's not all bike geometry and loading.
The clone can ride my commuter without hands no problem and is passable on the mountain bike.
No one can ride the loaded giant without hands.

I was also surprised that many people can't.

Then again, I can't play a musical instrument, even though I am otherwise very coordinated (20 years of fine finish carpentry prove that). We all have such different skillsets. Go figure.

Yes. Yes I can.

Yes. It's a bit tricky on the mountain bike though. Especially with trailers. I might have pulled it of a couple time on Red Meadow Pass while trying to get some drive-by raspberries.

Yessum

Depends on the bike - my Trek 1500 or mtb have slightly longer trail.

When I got my Merlin, as much as I love it, I found myself to be a little uncomfortable riding no handed (and I'm too old to crash just because I was goofing around).

Yes on the Burco, the three speeds, the road bikes.
No on the recumbents.
I haven't tried on the small wheel fixie.

Yes but it depends on the bike.

And I used to do it all the time as a kid, but then after a couple of major wrecks, I was too scared to do it again for quite some time...I just started again recently.

Yes on all my bikes.

Fork angle must be the thing. If it is quick handling it's harder to do no hands. My old 70's ten speed i used to use the nadlebrs to have someplace to put my hands. not so much now

I can, although I don't do it in the peloton.

It's harder for me to do on the rollers. I think the e-motion rollers make it tougher because of the rubber band things.

Even on the rollers.......

Yes on all my bikes.

yes.

Of course. Hell, I can friggin masturbate no-handed.

yes

Yep. When I smoked, I could pull out my pack and light one up while riding.

When riding my fixed gear bike, it is fun slowing down with no hands....

Yep. When I smoked, I could pull out my pack and light one up while riding.

When riding my fixed gear bike, it is fun slowing down with no hands....

I was coming back from school on my fixie one day. Hit all the green lights and managed to not touch the handlebars over the 5 mile ride. I love that. :D

Bicycle no, motorcycle yes. Which is weird, since I've been riding bicycles much longer than motorcycles. Go figure.

Of course. Hell, I can friggin masturbate no-handed.

:wtf: You must be a Jedi.

I can, but some bikes are easier than others. The Cervelo always feels like I'm only barely keeping it under control when I do that.

:wtf: You must be a Jedi.

well thats what i wife is for. no hands needed

I've known several people who learned as kids, then forgot how in their years lost to cars.

Not w/o falling down. Honestly though, I've never put a great deal of effort into trying. I'm afraid of the faceplant that is sure to happen.

No. Never tried and have no thoughts about doing so.

Not w/o falling down. Honestly though, I've never put a great deal of effort into trying. I'm afraid of the faceplant that is sure to happen.

+1

The handlebar is there for a reason.:o

These guys can....


no hands

Heck yeah!!

Yes I can. And I do it pretty often when I need my hands for something else, or to sit up straight and stretch my back.

I was also surprised that many people can't.

Then again, I can't play a musical instrument, even though I am otherwise very coordinated (20 years of fine finish carpentry prove that). We all have such different skillsets. Go figure.

Fine carpentry is a great skill, but I've never heard anyone claim that it takes coordination. My brother in law is a great at fine carpentry but the poor guy is so uncoordinated it's sad.

Yep. Funny story . . .

As a kid had ridden downtown with my brother and bought something (can't remember what). On way home I was riding no-handed looking at/reading the package when - SMACK - right into the back of a parked car. My brother just laughed at me -- I thanked him for the warning with a swift kick in the a** when we got home. :D

I have trouble walking no handed. I almost fall off my trainer when I go no handed. What do you think?

I can do it

but I don't trust the drivers in the city and the road maintenance to do it often.

To be honest, I've never tried it. Now I'll have to see if I can do it. But I'm not going to try it when I'm riding with other people. :P

it's not that hard. just put it in a slightly higher gear to pedal in a slower cadence, slide back on the saddle a bit and let the bike oscillate from side to side.

Yes, more easily on some of my bikes than others. I can ride no-handed all day on my KHS mtb, and my Univega is actually easier to ride no-handed with a loaded handlebar bag.

but can you ride THREE handed? that would impress me.

but can you ride THREE handed? that would impress me.Easy. Left bar, right bar, stem. Or toptube for stability.

but can you ride THREE handed? that would impress me.

I ride with 3 legs all the time...:innocent:

I ride with 21 digits and 4 limbs!









... wait!

I rode a tandem no-handed! :D

http://paularickert.net/albums/userpics/tandem11.jpg

I ride with 21 digits and 4 limbs!

... wait!

Ewwwwwww.

Ewwwwwww.

Extra fingers (like the 6-fingered man in Princess Bride) are dominant over the normal 5 fingers/toes.

I'm sure that's what he's referring to. :innocent:

Yes, I can ride no handed. It's a useful skill. Especially if you need some food and have some in a pocket, and need both hands to open it. Or to zip up a jacket, or some such other task.

Yes, I can ride no handed. It's a useful skill. Especially if you need some...

YouTube - RASH

(about 0:42 in)

Yes I can. And I do it pretty often when I need my hands for something else, or to sit up straight and stretch my back.

this

Yes, but it does get pretty squirley when I am riding my road bike back home on the 1-2 miles of dirt roads I have to take..

Extra fingers (like the 6-fingered man in Princess Bride) are dominant over the normal 5 fingers/toes.

I'm sure that's what he's referring to. :innocent:

And I am sure you failed elementary school math ;)

Sure I can, I can steer without as well. Minor potholes aren't even a problem, but bigger ones or tracks in the road are.

And I am sure you failed elementary school math ;)

5 + 5 + 5 + 6 = 21. One finger must have gotten cut off at some point. Some terrible accident with a cigar cutter, perhaps. :p