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Bumps in the road=bumps in the road!!
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 2004-08-13 9:43 PM |
Extreme Veteran  572   Seattle, WA |  Subject: Bumps in the road=bumps in the road!!Ok, my (figurative) bumps in the road as far as the bike goes are...you guessed it...the (literal) bumps in the road. Today I was cruising along up to 18.5 mph on some flat sections (I impressed myself!) but when I saw some bumps ahead, I would freak out because I don't know how to ride over them. They aren't very big...just an inch or so high where trees are uprooting the path a bit, but they hurt me so bad! I get a shockwave in my crotch and arms. But mostly, the shock is when my heart skips 1/2 a beat because I feel I'm going to lose control. I though that maybe that's just how it is, until a rather good rider flew by me, hit the same bumps, and looked as though he just glided over flat land. So I'm obviously not setting up for them correctly. I think I could surprise myself with my biking skills, but I know there will always be bumps in the road (both kinds), and hopefully I can cure my fear of the real ones so I can focus on my other biking pitfalls. Any advice would be great. Thanks all!! :-) |
| 2004-08-14 1:04 AM in reply to: #47722 |
Elite 3020  Bay Area, CA | Subject: RE: Bumps in the road=bumps in the road!! The key is to stand up on your pedals just a bit, keep your knees loose (don't lock them straight), most of the weight on your pedals. Same for your arms. Grip the handle bars firmly (but not in a death grip), keep your elbows loose. You want your joints to act like shock absorbers. Keep your speed up until just before the bump, then do the above and glide over them. If you're doing it right you should feel the bike moving under you, but your body should remain centered and not move around much. Don't try and turn either while you're going over the bumps. Do the bump, then turn, or slow or stop. Your bike should be straight. Once you get better you can turn and so on, but at first it's easiest to only focus on one or two things.  |
| 2004-08-14 9:29 AM in reply to: #47722 |
Champion 8903  | Subject: RE: Bumps in the road=bumps in the road!! If you ever have a chance to ride a mountain bike on a rocky trail, you will learn too that the bumps can be handled safely, and it will improve your road riding skills as well. I'll second everything the other reply said. Don't fight the bike and just relax. Especially at the speed you are going, it takes a lot to knock the bike off line. The faster you are moving, the more the bike wants to stay in the same direction (gyroscopic effect of the wheel rotation). To demonstrate that, pick your front wheel off the ground and swivel your handlebars. Now spin the front wheel hard and do the same thing. You'll feel how much harder it is to turn the bars when the front wheel is spinning! |
| 2004-08-14 11:53 AM in reply to: #47722 |
Extreme Veteran 572 Seattle, WA | Subject: RE: Bumps in the road=bumps in the road!! Thanks you 2...I'll try that out next ride...my body thanks you! :-) Didn't think I'd get a physics lesson as well...sweet! hehe. |
| 2004-08-14 12:59 PM in reply to: #47722 |
Expert 1279 Northern VA | Subject: RE: Bumps in the road=bumps in the road!! It also helps sometimes, in addition to what was said, to kind of yank up on the handlebars just as you get to the obstacle - like you're trying to "jump" over the bump. Its kinda like hopping up on a curb on the bike when you were a kid, just not as much of a jump. That way your front tire doesnt take the jolt. Good luck Gary |
| 2004-08-14 1:56 PM in reply to: #47722 |
Master 1275 Sonoma County, CA | Subject: RE: Bumps in the road=bumps in the road!! cadreamer echoes exactly what i do..... i literally imagine myself as a shock absorber....keeping my body centered and loose..... |
| 2004-08-15 2:49 AM in reply to: #47722 |
| Elite 2458 Livingston, MT | Subject: RE: Bumps in the road=bumps in the road!! bunny hop comes to mind. Jump those suckers, especially if on flat land. |
| 2004-08-15 6:10 AM in reply to: #47722 |
Master 2447 Marietta, Ga | Subject: RE: Bumps in the road=bumps in the road!! Jazzy, Since I'm clipped in, I also do the bunny hop, it may save you from a pinch flat some day, too (or worse yet, a bent rim). Be good. |
| 2004-08-15 5:56 PM in reply to: #47722 |
Extreme Veteran 572 Seattle, WA | Subject: RE: Bumps in the road=bumps in the road!! Thanks guys, I'll give it all a try next ride. Bunny hop? I feel like I'm back with my friends on their mtn bikes...but of course to them "bunny hop" was over the side curb...bigger the tires=bigger the "hop". Anyway, my elbows/seat area will be very thankful! :-) |
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