Close calls got me thinking
 

Last Friday I had a nice tail wind at my back on my way home from work, which is unusual in spring/summer. I took advantage and was really flying (at least by my standards). Between lights and backed up traffic I was over 25 mph between lights and up to 30. I was having a lot of fun, and noticed I would be able to beat my best avg time home at the current pace. So, I pushed myself the entire ride. Now, near the end of my ride there is a nice corner I like to turn at because not many cars ever use it, I can see around it easily, and there is a little down hill leading up to it:
https://goo.gl/maps/GAgjuN42BXN2
When I went around it this time I felt my front tire skip a couple times, which was pretty nerve-racking. I was actually worried that I knocked the tire off the rim. I looked the computer after the turn and I was 24.5mph. This wasn't the first time I felt some front wheel slippage on this corner, once I hit some gravel, and one other time something similar happened.

The close call brought some thoughts to mind:

1). I am glad that my reflexes are not what they were when I was under 24. I would have probably over reacted and crashed, and I have had this thought quite a few times.

2). When I go for a tight turn I tend to put my weight and self to the outside of the turn and dip the bike under me. This is what I have been doing since I was old enough to remember. I've heard that some people lean into the turn and put the bike more upright. What is the best way to take tight and fast turns?

3). Riding fast is still a ton of fun.

And I beat my avg speed record for my ride home. 21.4mph, which beat my previous best 21.3mph... Take that 27 traffic lights over 8 miles!

Lean with the bike.

+1

Lean with the bike - unless riding off road, then sometimes it's better to stay more upright and lean just the bike.

Ok...I'm just going to say it because I know you're all thinking it...avg. speed doesn't matter, and 24.5 isn't that fast...not to take away from your story or anything

If you're putting your weight to the outside of the turn, then not enough weight is going on the front wheel, which is what caused it to chatter. You want to apply weight to your outside/down leg AND the inside handlebar, preferably the drops if you're taking a turn at speed, as that lowers your center of gravity. The outside leg pressure keeps the rear tire from slipping, the inside handlebar pressure keeps the front from slipping. If you do these two things you shouldn't really need to think about which way you're leaning your body as you'll naturally lean correctly if you do both.

^ Practice what tpero said.

+1
many people only put weight on the outside foot, but a bit of weight inside of the handlebar is just as important

I know avg speed doesn't matter, but it's the best way without a power meter for to compare my daily rides, and it's also just fun for me to compare them. 24.5 is a good speed for me on straight away, but it's IS fast on that turn, but I'm sure you could take it at 30 no problem.

I've been trying to lean with the bike more, just the muscle memory built up over years isn't helping. I do the weight on out side food, but I think I need to work on putting it forward also.

I have a half a dozen or so 90s going in and out of my route. I practice on those.

What? :rolleyes: