You NEED To Learn These 6 Bike Handling Skills!

In this video, we're going to get you riding no-handed, hopping up pavement kerbs, looking behind you, riding in a straight line, bunny hopping & riding really really slowly. But why? They are essential skills for cycling plus they help build your bike handling skills and make you a better, more confident rider.

Intro 0:00
0:35 Ride Slowly
1:46 No Hands
2:57 Looking behind
4:10 Straight line
5:00 Bunny hop

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#gcn #cycling #roadcycling #roadbike #bike #bikes #bikelife #howto #skills

📸 Photos - © Velo Collection (TDW) / Getty Images & © Sprint Cycling Agency

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[gcn]

What one skill improved your cycling? Maybe it's not on Si's list? Let us know 🙌

[santiagobenites]

One little tip for looking over your shoulder without deviating from your line is to try to touch your chin on your shoulder, or even the top of your collar bone when looking back. It prevents your opposite arm from moving, which is what causes you to swerve. I learned that from riding on the track, and it makes all the difference.

[seattlegrrlie]

It's summer and I came to a crossing of pedestrians... slowed, paused, did a track stand then started forward. The looks on people's faces are worth every single minute of practice

[ianccrook]

Good video. As a former motorcycle rider (started as a 16 year old and sold the last bike when approaching 70), all the same skills apply except the bunny hop. Started serious bicycling 6 years ago at 72. So now, at 78, I’ll set out to master the bunnyhop 😁😁 thank you, Si!

[nzmarty]

I teach track riding to school and adults from zero riding to full laps on an Olympic standard track, the first 5 skills are super important and I teach all of them. Not much cause for the bunny hop on the track (hard to do on a Fixie too!) so add starting and stopping without putting a foot down.

[paullinnitt]

A good tip for riding slowly is to drag the rear brake. This gives you resistance to ride against and makes it much easier. I think Si was doing this

[telepopepic]

Being able to hold a good track stand is also a skill that pays dividends down the line and impresses. Taking your road bike to the pump track is a skill builder. And a last bit of unsolicited advice, ride single track on you gravel bike.

Brilliant video Si!

[KorbensBum]

Looking behind me without veering in to traffic was pretty helpful :)

[Rossbite]

Love this, I can kinda do all these (except the bunny hop effectively) things but the tips just make complete sense and I’m gonna go back to start developing the skills as it really will help as a 60 year old veteran - who learned all these things as intuitively as a kid in England - to my Thai friends who have never cycled as a child and start in their 20’s to 40’s
Cheers 👍🏽😃💖

[RobinT]

I'm one of those people who didn't learn to ride a bike until I was an adult and never really practiced things like bunny hops. Being able to get up onto a kerb smoothly is definitely something I need to practice.

[JIMMYHIBBS]

After years and years on Zwift (smart trainer) I went back to rollers this year ... skills levels uplift ... proper riding !!!! Track standing - slow riding level 11 !!

[cruachan]

It's amazing to me how quickly most of these have come back to me, having not ridden much since my teens until now (I'm older than Si, but not by much!) Never been good at the no hands riding though. The bunny hop is a very useful one, much of my local NCR is tree lined and there are roots under the path that are like very big speed bumps to a bike.

[christocan]

Very good video. All very necessary skills. Too many people lack a lot of those. The looking back and steering away is a thing I encounter too often.

[AntonioDiaz]

Good tips! I need to learn these asap as a new bike riding I need to go practice

[gotjrxo]

Great video. I agree that slow riding and surplace are good for developing a sense of balance.

[DaigoroToyama]

Lots of useful information here (as usual from GCN). I've been practising riding hands-free for the last couple of weeks with little success. I'll try to consciously use my hip to balance the bike from now on.

[johnlieto]

Great Video Si! Love the Bunny Hop tip...

[TimIrwin]

For some of the items (slow speed in particular), if you use clipless pedals, consider switching to flats until you're pretty comfortable in case you have to put a foot down. After that, continue the practice with your cleats so you know how to unclip quickly and are still comfortable.

Riding the line on the side of the road is a partial substitute (and good staring practice) for riding the curb, but be sure to ride slowly while doing it.

[davehause]

6 perfect essential skills! Excellent episode.

[Redmist]

One thing I like to do is ride hands free up an incline where I'm in low gear and having to use some exertion on the pedals. I may only be going 7 mph but I find it great for enhancing my balance.