Cornering at speed
- Thread starter Theseus
- Start date
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guitarpete247
Just about surviving
- Location
- Leicestershire
They're bends. If you don't go round them you crash into something.
I had a friend who passed his driving test before me. He always drove the long way to work (making a 1/2 mile trip into a 1 1/2 mile drive). When I asked him why he did this he said the short route had 2 right turns on it
. (1 onto main road the other off it).
I had a friend who passed his driving test before me. He always drove the long way to work (making a 1/2 mile trip into a 1 1/2 mile drive). When I asked him why he did this he said the short route had 2 right turns on it
. (1 onto main road the other off it).
G-Zero
Guru
- Location
- Kirkcudbright, SW Scotland
I've always been more comfortable in left handers, be that on motorcycle, or pedal cycle on single track or road.
On the road, this is the bend that would put you into oncoming traffic if something went wrong, so I don't know where that comfort comes from.
No preference when in the car.
On the road, this is the bend that would put you into oncoming traffic if something went wrong, so I don't know where that comfort comes from.
No preference when in the car.
Just to be clear. I was not meaning to ask if there was a preferance for turning at a junction.
The scenario is thus ... you are tanking it along and a bend comes up that you have to take. To take it you are going to have to put a bit of a lean on. Is there a preferred direction?
The scenario is thus ... you are tanking it along and a bend comes up that you have to take. To take it you are going to have to put a bit of a lean on. Is there a preferred direction?
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
I think I can corner on left hand bends easier, I dont like centrifugal forces on right hand bends forcing me towards a kerb, but if I overcook left bends the thought of heading towards an opposing vehicle scares me. I think however, its down to individual bends, gradients, cambers, conditions, available width, traffic, how I feel at the time and my knowledge of them. I can go relatively fast on some down hill bends (left & right) but on other descents I totally lock up & I actually get up the hill almost as fast 
CopperCyclist
Veteran
Left handers are easier than rights - god knows why!
GrasB
Veteran
- Location
- Nr Cambridge
Left handers. Basically you can offset the corner in such a way that you exit on the inside of the turn after starting wide apexing 'normally' just not apexing the physical kerb. Does that make any sense 
lulubel
Über Member
- Location
- Malaga, Spain
I find right easier, but that may be because I'm on the right side of the road.
thefollen
Veteran
- Location
- Balham/Tooting Bec
Cycling round Richmond Park anticlockwise there's the steep bendy downhill bit. Only just began picking up the courage to tackle the first major (right hand) bend without brakes. Checked the speedo and I was going 36mph- quite scary but fine if dry. Better control with the drop bars and enough lean not to get thrown off the bend.
On a standard road corner though I'll always slow a bit now- when on the hybrid once I had the wheels lose traction (90 degree bend @ 17-20mph), nice slide across the road and an impressive graze or two :-D
On a standard road corner though I'll always slow a bit now- when on the hybrid once I had the wheels lose traction (90 degree bend @ 17-20mph), nice slide across the road and an impressive graze or two :-D
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
Interesting, I thought one reason why folk in the UK would prefer left was because of not having to lean into traffic but that the opposite for you now
Perhaps, when subjecting the body to centrifugal force we prefer subconsciously to submit our stronger side to the outside (I'm significantly right handed/footed)
Linford
Guest
I never felt a real preference on the cycle to either the left or right as you very rarely carry the lean angle or speed for it to become a totally bum clenching experience.
The Motorbike is a different kettle of fish though, and I am very much more comfortable with right handers than left handers. The primary reason being is that all roundabouts are right handers, and vast majority of tracks run in a clockwise direction meaning you don't have to opportunity to practice hanging off to the left of the bike anywhere near as often - from many moons ago -
The Motorbike is a different kettle of fish though, and I am very much more comfortable with right handers than left handers. The primary reason being is that all roundabouts are right handers, and vast majority of tracks run in a clockwise direction meaning you don't have to opportunity to practice hanging off to the left of the bike anywhere near as often - from many moons ago -
col
Legendary Member
For a second there I thought I saw the Daffy Duck helmet? Loved the transatlantic weekend about 80 ish give or take?I never felt a real preference on the cycle to either the left or right as you very rarely carry the lean angle or speed for it to become a totally bum clenching experience.
The Motorbike is a different kettle of fish though, and I am very much more comfortable with right handers than left handers. The primary reason being is that all roundabouts are right handers, and vast majority of tracks run in a clockwise direction meaning you don't have to opportunity to practice hanging off to the left of the bike anywhere near as often - from many moons ago -
Linford
Guest
Ha, I love riding on the track, but I rarely follow the racing - I do enjoy it when I do manage to catch it.
That pic was taken in 2002 on the Melbourne Hairpin @ Donington Park. It isn't as fast as it looks - maybe about 35-40mph tops as it is a very tight corner. The biggest fear is the tyres being warm enough, and they are scrubbed to the edges to give max grip. They do actually grip so well, that when another rider drifted wide as I was riding aroundthe outside of him, I instinctively grabbed a handful of brake, and had a very controllable front end slide which felt like it lasted a couple of foot- and looking back was actually fairly scary. The quickest I've ever cornered with the knee o the floor was at Mallory Park on the huge and very fast Gerrards corner, and that was carrying an exit speed of about 110. Which is really scary when you start to run wide towards the exit ofthe corner.
That pic was taken in 2002 on the Melbourne Hairpin @ Donington Park. It isn't as fast as it looks - maybe about 35-40mph tops as it is a very tight corner. The biggest fear is the tyres being warm enough, and they are scrubbed to the edges to give max grip. They do actually grip so well, that when another rider drifted wide as I was riding aroundthe outside of him, I instinctively grabbed a handful of brake, and had a very controllable front end slide which felt like it lasted a couple of foot- and looking back was actually fairly scary. The quickest I've ever cornered with the knee o the floor was at Mallory Park on the huge and very fast Gerrards corner, and that was carrying an exit speed of about 110. Which is really scary when you start to run wide towards the exit ofthe corner.
