Bike drills for the beginning cyclist
December 31, 2019 10:04 AM Subscribe
I want to get better at riding my bike, so I can feel more comfortable/in control when I'm riding in traffic to go places. I've got my bike, a helmet, an empty parking lot and a couple days off. Can you suggest specific drills/things for me to practice so I'm not just literally riding in circles? What skills are essential for the commuting/everyday cyclist?
Braking. Lots of it in lots of different circumstances. Those circumstances include internal ones like distraction or inability to hear things well; external ones like road conditions and weather; gear circumstances like low tire pressure or worn-out brake cables; and lastly other vehicles and people around you.
Use chalk or parking space lines to give yourself a certain distance to stop in, and then gradually increase your speed and decrease the stopping distance. Practice year round: after a wet, leafy storm, in icy conditions. Practice with one hand off the handlebars. Practice making eye contact and communicating with drivers in the parking lot. See what works, and doesn't.
posted by cocoagirl at 10:21 AM on December 31, 2019 [2 favorites]
Use chalk or parking space lines to give yourself a certain distance to stop in, and then gradually increase your speed and decrease the stopping distance. Practice year round: after a wet, leafy storm, in icy conditions. Practice with one hand off the handlebars. Practice making eye contact and communicating with drivers in the parking lot. See what works, and doesn't.
posted by cocoagirl at 10:21 AM on December 31, 2019 [2 favorites]
Sheldon Brown had some good articles on bicycle skills. I particularly like the ones on starting and stopping (really!) and gear shifting. With those and the info in How to Not Get Hit By Cars (bicyclesafe.com), you've got most of what you need.
Other fun skills to work on include figuring out how to attach various things you're carrying to your bicycle (bungee cords and nets in multiple sizes are pretty handy for things that don't fit in panniers or baskets) and how to lock your bike securely (don't be the one with the worst-locked bike on the rack.)
posted by asperity at 10:28 AM on December 31, 2019 [4 favorites]
Other fun skills to work on include figuring out how to attach various things you're carrying to your bicycle (bungee cords and nets in multiple sizes are pretty handy for things that don't fit in panniers or baskets) and how to lock your bike securely (don't be the one with the worst-locked bike on the rack.)
posted by asperity at 10:28 AM on December 31, 2019 [4 favorites]
We spoke with a riding instructor for advice on how to navigate the city streets with confidence.
BIKE HANDLING SKILLS AND DRILLS
posted by the man of twists and turns at 10:31 AM on December 31, 2019 [4 favorites]
BIKE HANDLING SKILLS AND DRILLS
posted by the man of twists and turns at 10:31 AM on December 31, 2019 [4 favorites]
I bike commute everywhere. I advise friends to explore riding without hands, getting out of the saddle and pulling on the handlebars, and jumping curbs. But the drills in twists and turns' post, especially the first link (quick stop, rock dodge, avoidance weave, instant turn), are probably more pedagogically appropriate. Other than that just time in the saddle on a variety of road surfaces will increase your mind-bicycle connection.
posted by daveliepmann at 10:45 AM on December 31, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by daveliepmann at 10:45 AM on December 31, 2019 [1 favorite]
I learned to ride as an adult and the only thing that really prepared me for riding with traffic is riding on real roads with little traffic and slowly ramping up to busier roads.
posted by advicepig at 11:50 AM on December 31, 2019
posted by advicepig at 11:50 AM on December 31, 2019
I could have used this maximum braking technique before I went over my handlebars in 2011.
posted by maudlin at 11:52 AM on December 31, 2019
posted by maudlin at 11:52 AM on December 31, 2019
Learn to look over your traffic-side shoulder (left in the US, right in the UK, e.g.) while riding straight.
posted by mskyle at 12:30 PM on December 31, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by mskyle at 12:30 PM on December 31, 2019 [1 favorite]
Get yourself in the habit of downshifting before stopping so that you’ll be in an easier gear to start again.
Otherwise, not drifting whilst looking over your shoulder is probably the single most useful skill.
posted by kevinbelt at 2:15 PM on December 31, 2019
Otherwise, not drifting whilst looking over your shoulder is probably the single most useful skill.
posted by kevinbelt at 2:15 PM on December 31, 2019
Using your front brake, in particular, getting the muscle memory in place to shift your weight backwards while you use it (and not using both brakes simultaneously.) People are terrible at using their front brakes, and they blame the brake itself rather than the fact that they haven’t developed those skills.
posted by mosst at 2:40 PM on December 31, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by mosst at 2:40 PM on December 31, 2019 [3 favorites]
Look into whether an area bike club has classes and/or rides with these drills.
Here in D.C., the Washington Area Bicyclist Association has two levels of a "confident city cycling" class on a weekend day, followed by a ride to test your skills.
posted by jgirl at 6:01 PM on December 31, 2019 [1 favorite]
Here in D.C., the Washington Area Bicyclist Association has two levels of a "confident city cycling" class on a weekend day, followed by a ride to test your skills.
posted by jgirl at 6:01 PM on December 31, 2019 [1 favorite]
Get a rear view mirror and practice using it. Either one that fits onto your glasses, helmet or handlebars. Learn to position it correctly and change your focus from it to the road and back. At first it might make you a bit motion sick, but after a few hours of practice, it should become second nature.
Having the mirror is useful because not only will you know when a car or bike is behind you, but you can also tell how much space they are giving you if they’re about to pass. I found that this really can cut down on my own anxiety while sharing the road.
posted by oxisos at 6:23 PM on December 31, 2019 [1 favorite]
Having the mirror is useful because not only will you know when a car or bike is behind you, but you can also tell how much space they are giving you if they’re about to pass. I found that this really can cut down on my own anxiety while sharing the road.
posted by oxisos at 6:23 PM on December 31, 2019 [1 favorite]
What skills are essential for the commuting/everyday cyclist?
If you don't know how to change a tire, change and adjust your breaks, or adjust your derailer, your local bike enthusiasts or outdoors coop has periodic classes on this.
posted by sebastienbailard at 11:00 PM on December 31, 2019 [1 favorite]
If you don't know how to change a tire, change and adjust your breaks, or adjust your derailer, your local bike enthusiasts or outdoors coop has periodic classes on this.
posted by sebastienbailard at 11:00 PM on December 31, 2019 [1 favorite]
Signalling. One hand's off the handlebars so control is different. I feel like in the US you might not have to do "signalling for long periods while you also steer and lane-change round a roundabout" but that's a big one in my biking life.
Quick dismounts.
posted by lokta at 5:00 AM on January 1, 2020 [2 favorites]
Quick dismounts.
posted by lokta at 5:00 AM on January 1, 2020 [2 favorites]
Nthing what everyone else has said here. I would add if you plan to use clips on your shoes, practice clipping and unclipping a lot in a safe space such as a parking lot. This is a very important skill set to have, especially riding in traffic.
posted by jtexman1 at 6:28 AM on January 1, 2020
posted by jtexman1 at 6:28 AM on January 1, 2020
These skills you will need to practice:
1. Starting and stopping. When you are approaching a stop sign or traffic light, start braking gradually (most of the time I use just the front brake, but still use both on the long downhill part of my commute if I have to slow suddenly). When you come to a stop, put one foot down. Most people lead with their right leg/foot, so you will probably want to put your non-dominant foot, ie the left, on the ground. Leave your right foot on the pedal and if need be kick it up near the top of the pedal stroke. When it's time to resume, just push your right foot down and bring your left foot onto the other pedal.
2. Signalling and doing other things that require taking one hand off the bar. Get comfortable with signalling with either left and right hand. Learn to drink if you carry a water bottle in a cage. In terms of signalling, I don't adhere to the old-school signals that they teach/taught in driving school because frankly nobody knows what they mean outside of driving school. Just point right or left for turns. Don't worry about signaling to stop unless you're in a group ride.
3. Learning to anticipate other road users, pedestrians, cyclists and other stuff that's hard to predict. Learn to ride just far enough away from parked cars so that you are more visible and so you are less likely to get doored. Learn to watch for people darting out in between cars. Learn to listen to vehicles behind you (I don't recommend mirrors, but that's me). Learn the traffic patterns in your usual route. Look a few hundred feet ahead, not just at the road right in front of you. If you're on a one-way street, the left side is where drivers will most be able to see you.
And my regular bits of advice to anybody who rides:
4. Ride with front and rear lights at nighttime, dusk and other low-light times of day. Angle your front light down so it doesn't shine right into the eyes of oncoming cyclists. And never ride with ear buds. Seriously, please don't.
5. Don't be a jerk to other road users. If somebody is crossing the street, even if they don't have right of way, give them lots of room and don't buzz them. If you're turning and somebody is in the crosswalk, pick a line that takes you behind them. Again, give them a few feet so they don't think you're just missing them. Wave at people, ring your bell, and smile.
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 7:56 AM on January 1, 2020
1. Starting and stopping. When you are approaching a stop sign or traffic light, start braking gradually (most of the time I use just the front brake, but still use both on the long downhill part of my commute if I have to slow suddenly). When you come to a stop, put one foot down. Most people lead with their right leg/foot, so you will probably want to put your non-dominant foot, ie the left, on the ground. Leave your right foot on the pedal and if need be kick it up near the top of the pedal stroke. When it's time to resume, just push your right foot down and bring your left foot onto the other pedal.
2. Signalling and doing other things that require taking one hand off the bar. Get comfortable with signalling with either left and right hand. Learn to drink if you carry a water bottle in a cage. In terms of signalling, I don't adhere to the old-school signals that they teach/taught in driving school because frankly nobody knows what they mean outside of driving school. Just point right or left for turns. Don't worry about signaling to stop unless you're in a group ride.
3. Learning to anticipate other road users, pedestrians, cyclists and other stuff that's hard to predict. Learn to ride just far enough away from parked cars so that you are more visible and so you are less likely to get doored. Learn to watch for people darting out in between cars. Learn to listen to vehicles behind you (I don't recommend mirrors, but that's me). Learn the traffic patterns in your usual route. Look a few hundred feet ahead, not just at the road right in front of you. If you're on a one-way street, the left side is where drivers will most be able to see you.
And my regular bits of advice to anybody who rides:
4. Ride with front and rear lights at nighttime, dusk and other low-light times of day. Angle your front light down so it doesn't shine right into the eyes of oncoming cyclists. And never ride with ear buds. Seriously, please don't.
5. Don't be a jerk to other road users. If somebody is crossing the street, even if they don't have right of way, give them lots of room and don't buzz them. If you're turning and somebody is in the crosswalk, pick a line that takes you behind them. Again, give them a few feet so they don't think you're just missing them. Wave at people, ring your bell, and smile.
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 7:56 AM on January 1, 2020
As you mention commuting, for any drills practiced, first try them with an unloaded bike. When you feel confident, load the bike with the absolute max that you'd commute with, in the way you would. When I bike commute, between non-bike clothes, towel, food, bike gear, work stuff, I've got two loaded paniers and a duffel bag strapped to the top rack between the paniers. Possibly 20 lbs of gear. Needless to say the bike handles quite differently; especially for emergency braking and it's harder to keep a straight line when looking off to the side or over your shoulder.
Re: looking over your shoulder; get a bike mirror of some sort. Now that I have one, in the few instances I might be without it, I feel sooooo vulnerable not knowing well what's behind me. A simple handle bar mirror is cheap, but easy to manipulate so you've got a great few on the flats, or climbing or descending.
posted by nobeagle at 6:28 AM on January 2, 2020 [1 favorite]
Re: looking over your shoulder; get a bike mirror of some sort. Now that I have one, in the few instances I might be without it, I feel sooooo vulnerable not knowing well what's behind me. A simple handle bar mirror is cheap, but easy to manipulate so you've got a great few on the flats, or climbing or descending.
posted by nobeagle at 6:28 AM on January 2, 2020 [1 favorite]
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If you're not super confident in your shifting, it might be worth practicing shifting down a couple gears, stopping, and then getting going again, as that's common enough when riding around town that it's useful to have totally down.
posted by lhputtgrass at 10:17 AM on December 31, 2019 [3 favorites]