That bike just above has been out 88 miles - couldn't have done it if I was leaning on my hands
neither would this one, and it has the longest reach of the 3 bikes I ride

it's not crazy, it's a good habit, and when you lean into your core muscles you get a burst of spin energy that will take your momentum up any grade
just think about your core muscles when you're pedaling and you'll feel it accelerate you...

The good habit is riding in your core muscles. Your bike is stable and steering is light.
The bad habit is riding in your neck and shoulders - you get cervical strain, pinched nerves in your hands, heavy, uncontrollable steering, poor breathing and ultimately Shermer's syndrome
http://www.active.com/cycling/articl...bizarre-injury

and he's still riding with elbows locked and wrists bent backward - bad habit, hard head

look at the bad turtle he's doing with his neck - my neck hurts just looking at this photo
look at the line from his spine to his skull - of course this will injure you riding in this position, and the brace isn't going to help
ride stupid and you, too can have a syndrome named after you - only he's already got this one