Riding with no hands (and deep dish rims)

[trailrunner]

I grew up near the beach in San Diego. Long before I got my first road bike, my bike was my primary means of transportation. I usually had a beach cruiser (approximate weight: 50 pounds) or whatever I could cobble together so I'd have something to ride to the beach at night to drink on the beach. One of my best bikes was a beach cruiser that I used for my paper route: it had a big basket on the front that would hold a case of beer just perfect.

When I was in high school, I had a job at a restaurant that was about 4 miles away from my house. I'd get off work about 10 or 11pm, when traffic was light, and I'd practice riding home with no hands on the bars. I'd practice going in and out of driveways, and following the sidewalks on my route. That meant a lot of 90 degree turns, and even going off of curbs and up and down dips and hills (which weren't too big where I lived). On a good night, I could ride *all* the way home without touching my bars.

And on one quiet Saturday morning when I was riding my bike to the beach, I got a ticket from the local donut squad for riding my bike with no hands. My punishment was watching some lame movie about bike safety.

 

[Velo Dude]

i leaned to ride with no hands when i was 6 years old.

Stop leaning it's dangerous.

 

[scribe]

The responses here make it seem like everyone is comfortable changing jackets at 40km/hr in a pack of 80 people? No problems pulling on tight arm warmers? Wobbles into other people will make them (and me) very unhappy to hit the pavement. I was hoping someone had some tricks!

You could always stop and put on your rain jacket like Pantani. Just stop and put it on. Can't find the video now.

 

[scribe]

He'll never be able to do this...

 

[fatandfast]

I grew up near the beach in San Diego. Long before I got my first road bike, my bike was my primary means of transportation. I usually had a beach cruiser (approximate weight: 50 pounds) or whatever I could cobble together so I'd have something to ride to the beach at night to drink on the beach. One of my best bikes was a beach cruiser that I used for my paper route: it had a big basket on the front that would hold a case of beer just perfect.

When I was in high school, I had a job at a restaurant that was about 4 miles away from my house. I'd get off work about 10 or 11pm, when traffic was light, and I'd practice riding home with no hands on the bars. I'd practice going in and out of driveways, and following the sidewalks on my route. That meant a lot of 90 degree turns, and even going off of curbs and up and down dips and hills (which weren't too big where I lived). On a good night, I could ride *all* the way home without touching my bars.

And on one quiet Saturday morning when I was riding my bike to the beach, I got a ticket from the local donut squad for riding my bike with no hands. My punishment was watching some lame movie about bike safety.

went off the bike path after a long night in Mission Beach..went off right in Dog Beach/OB drinking partners took a long time for the U-turn and laughed while I picked myself up out of the sugar sand mix..dog pee and all. Deserved but never got a ticket

 

[dodgyknee]

agree with some others , a well adjusted headset (in good nick)and back straight and upright , works for me when i have to , but i would go to the back of the group/peleton before i would ever attempt this!,

 

[Hawkwood]

You could always stop and put on your rain jacket like Pantani. Just stop and put it on. Can't find the video now.

Did you hear the Stephen Roche commentary to that? `Put the jacket on back to front and the wind will blow it round you' or words to that effect. Roche was beside himself as Pantani's lead over the climb was being frittered away by his attempts to put the jacket on.

 

[rickshaw]

Victory salute

No-hands is great for the VS, but if you're like me and never win anything try this: The hand switch. At any speed switch right hand to left bar, left hand to right bar. Make your enemies crash (if you can get them to try) and your friends laugh. Messes with the mind a bit.

 

[Boeing]

I have a set of 58mm American Classic wheels that scare the hell out of me almost every time I try to ride with no hands. My Easton EC90 SLX do not scare me similarly (most of the time).

I live in San Diego where the potholes are plentiful and the cars non-stop, so an accidental crash could be disastrous. As a result, I think my riding with no hands is sub-par and I would love to get better at it.

I am curious how much of it is the wheels (the 58mm have me scared enough to almost never ride with no hands -- with the EC90s, I am generally OK to ride a while with no hands if there are not too many potholes or seams), how much of it is the bike (a Douglas Matrix from Colorado Cyclist -- I am not sure how its handling compares to other bikes), or how much of it is plain old me.

Do any of you have tips on how to get better at riding with no hands? Should I go practice in some empty parking lots? How about any rules of thumb, like, should be going at least XX km/h, or at XX cadence, uphill, downhill, etc? Should I expect to crash a few times while practicing?

Are there any books/pamphlets on the fine details of such things?

Any help would be appreciated!

i didnt read any of the replies so I am sure this has been said but for what it is worth

don't underestimate a wheels natural ability to roll forward especially with a little torque on it. keep a good cadence with enough gear

if you sit up and relax you might have issues

 

[scribe]

Did you hear the Stephen Roche commentary to that? `Put the jacket on back to front and the wind will blow it round you' or words to that effect. Roche was beside himself as Pantani's lead over the climb was being frittered away by his attempts to put the jacket on.

I loved it. The Pirate smashed the climb and then gave it all back by stopping to put his gear on. lol

 

[stainlessguy1]

your wheels are pretty common in S.Cal and there are probably plenty of pairs rolling around San Diego. At first I thought this was funny and then I realized people were actually telling you ways to hurt/kill yourself. There is no safe or sound method for riding high profile rims in strong cross winds. If ride in Pt.Loma and along Harbor Drive you will see 100's of millions of dollars in sail boats. Dennis Conner was based down by Pt.Loma Seafood while he contested the cup. The strong coastal winds are ideal for sailing boats and for sailing on the pavement ,into another rider or car or truck. To train on wheels like that is an indiv choice one not made by many good racers in very windy areas. I thought this was one of those "my legs hurt when I climb in a 52x15 for more than 2 miles" kind of threads..but you upped the bar. If you are a member of a club I think if you ask your fellow club members at meeting you will get an answer..or you could just show up at SDBC,Swami's or Cyclovet meeting without being a member and ask your question you will be invited to every club event from that day forward

Good point , If you are training with dished wheels in heavy or continuous cross winds , then that effect will change your balance and lean . Its great if the winds were continuous to the same intensity but usually they gust in various strengths and buffett off of cliffs and buildings etc.
I suggest you try only the rear wheel dished , and the front with spokes and see how you do , if the bike is functioning perfect in all other aspects then play with the wheels .
See how you do with that , save the full dishes for perfect time trial days( sunny , no wind ) when you dont need to take hands off bars .

 

[cawright1375]

It wasn't until a few years back that I was able to successfully ride sans hands. The change that allowed this wasn't better bike handling skills, but having a proper bike fitting. During the bike fit I found out one leg was shorter than the other, which most likely caused an imbalance. Ever since I've been able to ride w/o hands for some distance, the higher the speed the better the bike performs.

This past fall I managed the removal of the vest while moving trick. Still can't manage zipping up the full zip while moving, but I imagine it's just a matter of practice.

Try getting a proper bike fit, it will be the best money you spend towards this expensive little habit of ours and the rewards will be more than any super fast super light and stiff carbon wheels could give you. Mine was down by someone trained in the Specialized BG Fit process, best $150 I ever spent.