Cycling Skills: Handling Skill

Handling Skill
Riding long distance with load and in foreign soil is definitely not going to be 'a walk in the park'. After researching what other adventure riders do for their preparation, I set about designing my own handling skill program and work slowly from there and time to time adjusting my riding style. Below are some of the basic handling skills  I started with and it is my pleasure to share it with everyone that is thinking to start riding a bike or thinking to do a small adventure riding of their own.
Selecting the right gearWhat gear to use and what gear is better to climb a hill and less straining to the knees are all the questions I ask myself before I started my training. I found out for handling skills, it is faster to learn in low and easy gear where my legs can rotate quickly. Fast leg rotation provides better balancing too, less fatique and gives me more speed.

 

Shifting gear
The basic rules for gear use are:

• shift into low gear / easy gear before you stop
• use low / easy gear before going uphills.
• Shift to lower gear before you work to hard
• shift to higher gear when you start bouncing on the seat pedaling to fast
• use a gear that give you fast, easy leg spin. bout 70-100rpm
• avoid pedaling slowly and pushing hard in your highest gears.

Straight line riding

Riding in straight line is vital in the city and on congested roads. Straight line riding can be practice on a quiet road and riding on the while line. Do not move your upper body, just your legs to pedal your bike and look far (also observe your surrounding for hazars by glancing)

 

Shoulder Checking (Blind spot)

Shoulder checking or checking your blindspot is an action where you look over your shoulder to check what is coming behind of you. This action is vital before changing lane or making a turns in heavy traffic. Practice riding on a straight line while checking over your shoulder. Make it your second nature.

 

Signalling (Communicating with other road users)
I found this to be very helpful when riding on the roads. I used hand signals to say 'thank you', "I am slowing down", "I am turning left", "I am turning right" and I use hand signal to even make myself visible. The downside of this sort of communication is that I will need to ride my bike with only one hand. Practice signalling when riding on a straight line and both hands back to the handlebar when making a turn or cornering. Only use hand signal when you think it is safe to do so.

 

Sequence Practice
Before making a turn, practice checking blindspot and signal. if it safe, make the turn.
Checking blindspot is a good practice everytime you're on the road before making a turn or changing lane. Keep practising until it became second nature.

 

Emergency Handling skills
The first step in preventing accident is to be alert and scanning ahead (and around you) when you're riding for potential hazards and obstructions. It is common sense for us to ride away from debris, holes and learns to anticipate error from other motorists, pedestrain and other cyclist. Never assume other motorists can see you. No matter how skill, experienced and careful rider you are, you will encouter hazards that will leave you little time to react.

 

Braking
There this one time I crashed by applying the front brake when my rear brake cable burst. I was riding with my buddy along the park connector when I see him 'flying' in front of me. The next thing I did was to jam my rear brake, it burst and I applied the front. I slammed it too hard and I flew forward - but avoiding my buddy. Immediate reaction can be crucial in an emergency. However, caution is required when applying the emergency brake. It was unfortunate for my rear brake cable to burst and putting the front brake too hard put me over the handlebar.

 

Now when riding in group, I have a buffer space for the rider in front and to the side and at the same time reminding them to give space. This is to ensure everyone has time to react accordingly in time of emergency. I also learned from experience that in wet weather, we will need longer braking distance so give more space when riding in the rain.

 

Above are just some of the basics handling skills that I used to get myself familiar with my bike and the capability and weakness in time of emergency. Of course as I went further into my training, the ride get more intense and my traveling load got heavier, my handling skills training become more difficult. If you're interested to give it a try of the 'Basic Handling Skills', do drop me an email: fluidrider@gmail.com