Road Cycling - Bike Handling

Anyone have any good links for bike handling info? It seems like an overlooked topic.

Don't have any specific links but if you do a search on "pace lines" you should get lots of information. I've been practicing riding in a straight line by trying to keep my tires on the white line on the road. It's harder than I thought. :)

I agree that the art of achieving maximum corner speed seems to be a topic greatly overlooked with in it's place the art of riding behind someone having a rest gaining much more attention. To a noob like myself coming from a motorcycles background it seems strange. I guess cornering is so much to do with feel, and since there are fewer techniques you seem to be able to apply on pushies rather than on motorbikes, so that could be why.

get a mt.bike.

I mean this most sincerely--attend a good cycling clinic. I cannot overemphasize that. Some of the old racers have excellent ones. Although not cheap, it will be worth every penny. You'll learn more in one week there than in a full season otherwise, if then even. You'll also meet some really cool people. In essence, you will have sought out a bit of coaching. A good coach can completely transform you, your riding style and handling, and your abilities. (Doubts? Ask Lance.)

I mean this most sincerely--attend a good cycling clinic.

MT - you've mentioned this on more than one occasion. How does one locate these clinics?

Thx,
Jim

MT - you've mentioned this on more than one occasion. How does one locate these clinics?

Check the cycling magazines--Velonews, especially. You might look for those run by well-known former pros.

Here's one: http://www.athleticamps.com

Here's a link to one of my favorite subjects- Countersteering:

http://ist-socrates.berkeley.edu/~fajans/Teaching/Steering.htm

Here's a link to one of my favorite subjects- Countersteering:

http://ist-socrates.berkeley.edu/~fajans/Teaching/Steering.htm

Nice link, a better written explain'- than I've seen before.

Another thing -- cycling is a contact sport. Practice making contact with other cyclists. Should you find yourself riding a properly tight double paceline, you can expect your shoulder to occasionally touch the shoulder of the rider beside you. If they don't occasionally touch, you need to practice riding a tighter paceline.

Also, and I'll use the double paceline as a scenario again, you look behind you by placing your hand on the shoulder of the rider beside you and then turning your head around. With your hand on that rider's shoulder, you'll guide your bike straighter although you're not looking ahead. You'll also be forewarned should something in front happen while you're looking behind, an upcoming pothole maybe. You'll feel the rider beside you slowing down or steering, and that will be your cue to look back around and pay attention to whatever is causing your compatriot's reaction.

Yes, I know most riders think making contact with someone else at 20-30 mph is beyond them, and dangerous. I've seen scores of unskilled riders absolutely freak out should someone touch them. (I get far away from those people. They're freaking dangerous!) Well, it is possible to touch or even make inadvertent contact with zero problems, and deliberate contact often lessens many potential dangers.

Another thing -- cycling is a contact sport. Practice making contact with other cyclists. Should you find yourself riding a properly tight double paceline, you can expect your shoulder to occasionally touch the shoulder of the rider beside you. If they don't occasionally touch, you need to practice riding a tighter paceline.

Also, and I'll use the double paceline as a scenario again, you look behind you by placing your hand on the shoulder of the rider beside you and then turning your head around. With your hand on that rider's shoulder, you'll guide your bike straighter although you're not looking ahead. You'll also be forewarned should something in front happen while you're looking behind, an upcoming pothole maybe. You'll feel the rider beside you slowing down or steering, and that will be your cue to look back around and pay attention to whatever is causing your compatriot's reaction.

Yes, I know most riders think making contact with someone else at 20-30 mph is beyond them, and dangerous. I've seen scores of unskilled riders absolutely freak out should someone touch them. (I get far away from those people. They're freaking dangerous!) Well, it is possible to touch or even make inadvertent contact with zero problems, and deliberate contact often lessens many potential dangers.

Good points, it pays to be calm when rubbing shoulders or bouncing off another rider.
Sometimes using another rider as a burm, in a case where you may touch wheels or run off
the edge of the road can be a real saver. On another note, I ride with a club that has some
very good riders, i.e. climbers, and sprinters, etc. But I do notice that on descents, almost
none of them know how to corner fast, and brake properly. I see alot of the riders completely
miss the apexes. This is where I can always catch back up with the group. It definitely
helps me to have a motorcycle background for cycling.

Here's a link to one of my favorite subjects- Countersteering:

http://ist-socrates.berkeley.edu/~fajans/Teaching/Steering.htm

Yes this is a very good explanation and great graphics. Thanks for the nugget, Chop.