Riding with no hands !!!

[TheCyclingRooster]

The technique is to sit upright with a straight back and look ahead as you do when you are riding normally. Crouching forward with your hands hovering over the bars unbalances you, and looking down at the front wheel has you wandering all over the road.

I've never found any difference in riding hands off no matter what type of bike I've been on. A bicycle does not need a pair of hands on the bars to stay upright or go in a straight line, both of those are controlled by your body posture and balance.

Hi Sj. Yes I am familiar with the technique - some things never leave the memory bank. I don't believe that it is a wheel base related issue or a castor action (not gyroscopic) that is influencing the inability to handle the current bikes 'hands-off' as was previously suggested.
The wheel bases on both my current bikes are both 975mm - indeed I rather think that my old Hetchins was very very close to that anyway.

 

[Racing roadkill]

It was ‘well sick’ when I used to do it when I was a five year old, now I just think it makes whoever’s doing it look like a five year old.

 

[GilesM]

Sorry, can't offer any advice on how to ride no hands, I still find it very easy, but I could never explain how to do it. What I'm interested to know is did you just lose the ability to do it, or do you think it was just because you didn't try for a long time, it's funny, as I get older (I'm only 53 right now) I do wonder, will there be a point in time when I can no longer do this sort of stuff, or perhaps even more worrying, when I no longer want to try.

 

[Siclo]

Weight distribution plays a big part, as I re-discovered recently when riding with no hands and leaned over a touch to take a corner, unfortunately I'd forgot about the two fully loaded panniers and rack bag I'd got on and not a lot happened other than nearly finishing up in the ship canal

 

[GilesM]

It was ‘well sick’ when I used to do it when I was a five year old, now I just think it makes whoever’s doing it look like a five year old.

If I still put my arms out like wings, made engine noises, and pretended I was a plane, I might agree, but normally I do it for slightly more practical reasons these days.

 

[Vapin' Joe]

It was ‘well sick’ when I used to do it when I was a five year old, now I just think it makes whoever’s doing it look like a five year old.

It's great for easing the back muscles after a long climb.

 

[Bollo]

It's great for easing the back muscles after a long climb.

Ha, I’ve never given it much thought but I do that.

 

[viniga]

Perhaps is a mental block thing... attitude to risk when 6 may be a bit different at 60...?

I do it for short periods but am not very good and don't want to practice :-)

 

[Jody]

It's great for easing the back muscles after a long climb.

Or for getting flies out of your helmet before you get bit/stung.

 

[rrarider]

When I was young, it was an essential skill to have, in order to light a cigarette without stopping. Since I gave up smoking several years ago, I don't cycle 'no hands' much these days.

 

[Vapin' Joe]

When I was young, it was an essential skill to have, in order to light a cigarette without stopping. Since I gave up smoking several years ago, I don't cycle 'no hands' much these days.

How the hell can you write a text message without riding no-hands? Fair enough in the car when you can hold the steering wheel between your knees, but on a bike...

 

[dantheman]

I can't do it for more than a couple of seconds, sure it's just lack of confidence but I don't really care. There's a guy round here who rides around town constantly no hands, usually with only one or no feet on pedals as he "dances and points?" at everyone - he loves the attention but annoys me as in traffic you get stuck behind him doing 4mph.. Saw a young lad yesterday cross a busy junction in traffic with food in one hand and texting with the other (no eyes on road/traffic).

 

[slowmotion]

I could do it easily when I was a kid but I can't manage more than a few seconds without funking it now. I can see how it might be useful sometimes. See 1:01 on this clip...


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iO7_Fq56g2c

 

[Racing roadkill]

Perhaps is a mental block thing... attitude to risk when 6 may be a bit different at 60...?

I do it for short periods but am not very good and don't want to practice :-)

Spot on.

 

[Lonestar]

No I won't do it.....Fell off in February and my knee is buggered now so I don't need to be asking for trouble....I remember doing it when I was much younger and if it ever went tits up we were quite fast in recovering...but not now....Although I understand the logic of why the young 'uns do it nowadays just like I did then.