what i do to suddenly brake the bike is hit the brakes hold em and make it wag its tail out like a happy dog by shifting my weight and hear the tire skid noises. That or drifting the bike through every corner like a pro motorcyclist
Develop low speed skills, as this will make you more comfortable on the bike. Go out on some grass at a park, ride in increasingly smaller circles with friends, play bike polo, ride shoulder to shoulder, make an obstacle course, things like that. You'll be amazed how much better you are at high speed.
For urban riding mastering the standing start is vital, particularly at traffic lights. If you know you can get up to speed quickly and easily you'll be less hesitant to stop when you need to, and you'll ride more safely.
This! Which includes gearing preparation. You need to gear down while you are slowing down to the standstill, and not while you are standing still. There is a bit of lag every time you shift gears, as the chain needs to rotate a bit to jump to the next cog. This means you will be braking and shifting down to spin your pedals simultaneously, which takes some practice. Especially if you go down a slope and there is a crossing with traffic lights at the bottom. If that is red once you get down, you will have to have shifted down sufficiently to be able to start quickly once it goes green. The alternative is a skipping chain once you try and start, or you start off like a steam train with a cadence like 5 rpm…
Good stuff. Although implicit in some of your advice, I think you could also do a dedicated "reading the road" video (or even series!). This has a huge scope, ranging from hazards on the daily commute right up to looking for mini-berms to help you corner faster.
We have busy roads here that I cross that has two lanes, and a center left turn lane and two more lanes going the opposite way. I cross them two at a time and track stand in the middle to get past the final two. Track standing is a great skill to master
@@billmacrae1924 turning your head to make eye contact with the road user behind is preferable, so you both know you've seen each other, but that's not possible for everyone.
Really surprised that you didn't mention signalling. Riding one-handed is essential so that you can signal your intention to turn. Being able to look behind you is essential to see if there's anyone to signal to and then to do a last-minute "lifesaver" check immediately before turning.
Yep, that lifesaver turn saved me quite recently. Was turning right, looked behind and there was three cars behind. Stuck my arm out and started moving across. Just as I was about to turn, I looked behind and the car at the back of the line of cars, overtook the two cars and me.
Good tips, I probably learned the looking behind thing when I did my cycling proficiency test though! video wise one on gear choice on hills would be good, and gravel skills (I know there’s older ones on these). I’d also like to see a hybrid bike to road bike transition one, as many folk take it for granted but the positioning is so different 😀
Exactly - always assume everyone else is an idiot. The best advice I ever got from my dad was for when you’re coming across a T-junction where a driver is waiting and you’re not sure if they’re going to decide to pull out in front of you at the last moment. Stare them dead in the eye. Not sure if it’s a power play or just reminds them you’re human, but seems to work.
@@Crall-xb8he it also means you’re looking at where they’re looking. I had someone yesterday who wasn’t looking at me as they pulled out. They heard me though
When looking over shoulder try holding the back of the saddle with the hand on the side of the shoulder you’re looking over. Helps you keep straight and stable
Of all of these, I feel like the most important is the look-behind is the best. Its very thorough, and is probably something that requires more muscles/technique than most skills. Sure, a mirror can help, but I've felt like they screw up perception.
Thanks.I am a recent convert from long distance running to cycling. I'm in a decent shape so I can get pretty fast but my bike handling skills are pretty bad so I was afraid to put my hands on the drops during the first week of cycling.
The Garmin Varia radar is super helpful for warning you about an approaching vehicle from behind. I find it very reassuring and lessens the need to constantly look behind you.
Yeah, I ride further into the lane with the Varia. It’s easy to be clear with signalling with the advance notice and drivers seem to appreciate it. Having a vehicle count is good too - it rarely misses multiple passers.
I would add that when riding one handed, be careful if you have to brake. I was riding with one hand, and I had to stop. Not even thinking I hit the brake, unfortunately it was my front and it didn't lock but the force turned my bars and I flew over and hit pavement. Luckily just skinned up, glad i had helmet because it totally saved my head when it hit.
@@johnnunn8688 could be the force of pressing the brake lever itself? a similar thing almost happened to me, but I was riding slow enough that I was able to let go of the brake and correct course
I have to keep my head on a swivel due to the fact that kids are getting dropped off at school when I'm commuting. A lot of people in a rush at that time so it's easy to be missed.
I’m sure yall have done it before but a videos of drills to improve bike handling I always useful. I’m bad at turning especially when I’m going slow and there is some sort of gate I need to squeeze through
The whole part about looking behind you, in my opinion, I say get a mirror and put it on your helmet, practice using it and scanning by moving your head. You can see everything behind you and never have to look away from looking forward. That is a skill you will use and need forever
@@billeterk I was out a couple of days ago and any headwind and I can’t hear anything. More I think about it the more a varia is looking like a good investment.
A useful tip for looking behind you is that you often just put your chin on your shoulder, rather than cranking your head right round. (I'm sure i learned this from an earlier GCN video) its much easier on your neck, and because you are not rotating as much you are less likely to mess up your stearing
Right now, sitting here with road rash on my thigh, my elbow and multiple bruises, I don’t need to increase my confidence, I just need to unclip BEFORE stopping as I’ve learnt that the other way round is painful. Only been riding clipless for 15 yrs. You’d think I’d have learnt by now
4:55 Also, look out behind you for stalkers! And is Conor's bike actually a bike, or just part of a suspension bridge with some wheels on? It's MASSIVE!!
With regard to looking behind you What are your thoughts on rear view mirrors attached to your handle bars or cycling helmet Ted 70 years old only been riding 6 months seriously and stiff as a board
Riding with no hands and looking behind, feel so different depending on the bicycle. I can go no-hands for a LONG time on my commuter, and easily look behind. But my road bike's front wheel is so much more squirrely! She doesn't need much to stay steady, so one hand is fine, but no hands is very challenging. And the position lower down makes it harder to look around compared to the commuter.
The front brake does 75%-ish of the stopping power and that needs to be applied first, to get the weight onto the front wheel. I would recommend covering the front brake only, then when you have to make an emergency stop, then the brakes come on in the right order. Of course, getting your weight back is a given.
Great video but I noticed you never have any lights or bell for letting people no you are passing??or as every vehicle these days has day running lights ??I like to be seen on the road .and ride with a bike radar with my wahoo still looking over the shoulder but most I see with group rides stay light but hardly any visibility Don’t get it been safe over speed on busy roads 🤦🏻♂️??
Oh hey, only me and the p*rn bots here! I must be very early today. Years on the bike and still can't feel safe with no hands on the bike. Used to be able to do that as a kid, now not anymore!
These are valuable skills for any cyclist. I see too many old farts on e-bikes who can't lift one hand off the handle bar to indicate their direction or can't look over their shoulder and swerve without looking. Not to mention how to do an emergency break on a heavy bike at 25k speed. But we sports cyclists are the bad guys....
If you want to stop quick, slide back, while grabbing the front brake, and feathering the rear. If you want to see behind, you can also look under your armpit, if you are in an aero position. You can keep pedaling hard, if you do it this way.
@@johnnunn8688not what he meant. He made 2 different points for 2 different scenarios. Eg. Slide back while grabbing front brake. And the other is look under your pits when pedaling in an aero position.
Plus slight variances in camber, kerbstones, gravel on the road following rain, leaves on the road, leaves on the road when it’s autumn AND wet? Have a word with yourself and practice.
the disadvantage with this sport is the atrophy of the chest muscles and the shoulders and hips underdevelopment , those race bikes are even worse: neck pain, curved upper back. solution: go for a swim.
feathering your brakes will not make you stop more quickly, With but wheels locked up you will stop the quickest. You then however cannot contol the direction of the stop as easily, this is why cars have abs.
@@padmanabhaprasannasimha5385 Yes I understand the principle but feathering is only an option up to certain speeds. In an emergency I´ve never seen anyone who didn´t lock their wheels. Progressive braking was behind the idea of Campys delta brakes which were useless, Humans will never beat abs and if you can't then attempting it in a high speed emergany stop is not a recommendation in my view
on my old trekking bike I have the Shimano Nexave breaks, they work like an ABS. Very nice for commuting in a crowded city where I need to do frequent emergency breaks. On the other hand at the first couple of hard breaks on my gravel bike I almost went over the handle bar...
@@twistoffat locking up your front wheel is often catastrophic. Locking up your back wheel isn't great for control. Essentially (unless you're turning or on a slippery surface) shift your weight back and lock your arms, pull the front brake as hard as you can without lifting the back wheel and pull the rear brake as hard as you can without locking it up.
I remember when skidded my Bike, when that girl child step right in front of me. Man, I was so close… so, I scream loud: “Sweety, take care your mom!!!”
I really miss Manon. :( I love the other presenters, but it was just really nice having her there, too, and getting a little estrogen in this giant vat of testosterone.
Just an idea: Ben_is_running (youtube) is evolving in biking rn and taking it to his weekly schedule for later too (has found it great low impact aerobic training).. I wonder if he would be up if you needed a beginner for a challenge or a beginner gear/skill video or sth. He can bike around 29km/h for an hour easy pace on a hybrid : D
What’s the skill that gave you confidence and that you’re most proud of? 🎩
Rear wheel slippage 👍
The ability to touch wheels in a tight pack without crashing (unless it's in a corner)
what i do to suddenly brake the bike is hit the brakes hold em and make it wag its tail out like a happy dog by shifting my weight and hear the tire skid noises. That or drifting the bike through every corner like a pro motorcyclist
Develop low speed skills, as this will make you more comfortable on the bike. Go out on some grass at a park, ride in increasingly smaller circles with friends, play bike polo, ride shoulder to shoulder, make an obstacle course, things like that. You'll be amazed how much better you are at high speed.
Learning how to accelerate under control, and when it's safe and appropriate to do it.
If you're on deep section wheels, make sure there's no crosswind before you no hand
Conor has mastered the Pogachar look with that lock of hair sticking out of his helmet. As always Conor gives great advice.
For urban riding mastering the standing start is vital, particularly at traffic lights. If you know you can get up to speed quickly and easily you'll be less hesitant to stop when you need to, and you'll ride more safely.
This! Which includes gearing preparation. You need to gear down while you are slowing down to the standstill, and not while you are standing still. There is a bit of lag every time you shift gears, as the chain needs to rotate a bit to jump to the next cog. This means you will be braking and shifting down to spin your pedals simultaneously, which takes some practice. Especially if you go down a slope and there is a crossing with traffic lights at the bottom. If that is red once you get down, you will have to have shifted down sufficiently to be able to start quickly once it goes green. The alternative is a skipping chain once you try and start, or you start off like a steam train with a cadence like 5 rpm…
@@johns70yep. I can’t believe the riders that stop in massive gears. One does not try and pull away in a car in fourth, so why do riders do it?
@@johnnunn8688 my theory is that they are practicing winter starts… (or just suck XD)
@@elindred absolutely, once you've stopped, pulling a pedal back up to roughly the angle of the downtube allows you to get going much faster.
@@johns70 don’t get it. Winter starts?
Good stuff.
Although implicit in some of your advice, I think you could also do a dedicated "reading the road" video (or even series!). This has a huge scope, ranging from hazards on the daily commute right up to looking for mini-berms to help you corner faster.
Thanks Conor and crew..slow riding and track stands at traffic lights
We have busy roads here that I cross that has two lanes, and a center left turn lane and two more lanes going the opposite way. I cross them two at a time and track stand in the middle to get past the final two. Track standing is a great skill to master
A rear view mirror is very effective, and there are models out there that are very aerodynamic.
I’d recommend Cateye, it’s tiny and perfect.
@@billmacrae1924 turning your head to make eye contact with the road user behind is preferable, so you both know you've seen each other, but that's not possible for everyone.
Really surprised that you didn't mention signalling. Riding one-handed is essential so that you can signal your intention to turn. Being able to look behind you is essential to see if there's anyone to signal to and then to do a last-minute "lifesaver" check immediately before turning.
Yep, that lifesaver turn saved me quite recently. Was turning right, looked behind and there was three cars behind. Stuck my arm out and started moving across. Just as I was about to turn, I looked behind and the car at the back of the line of cars, overtook the two cars and me.
Of course it should go without saying, but always check ahead first to make sure the lifesaver doesn't turn into a neckbreaker!
Good tips, I probably learned the looking behind thing when I did my cycling proficiency test though! video wise one on gear choice on hills would be good, and gravel skills (I know there’s older ones on these). I’d also like to see a hybrid bike to road bike transition one, as many folk take it for granted but the positioning is so different 😀
Thank you for your recommendations and your comment, we’ll take it into account. 🤔
Conor’s new whip looks 🔥🔥🔥
For someone who has just started the joys of cycling at a late age, these tips are precious. Thank you for going to basics!
I'm most proud of staying calm, reacting quickly and anticipating unwise behavior of people around me.
Exactly - always assume everyone else is an idiot.
The best advice I ever got from my dad was for when you’re coming across a T-junction where a driver is waiting and you’re not sure if they’re going to decide to pull out in front of you at the last moment. Stare them dead in the eye. Not sure if it’s a power play or just reminds them you’re human, but seems to work.
@@Crall-xb8he it also means you’re looking at where they’re looking. I had someone yesterday who wasn’t looking at me as they pulled out. They heard me though
At last, a sensible video
When looking over shoulder try holding the back of the saddle with the hand on the side of the shoulder you’re looking over. Helps you keep straight and stable
I’ll try that. I tend to lift my arse and move my whole body.
@@johnnunn8688 I do that too if I need a proper look. Also means that the drivers behind me see me looking and hopefully expect me to be turning soon.
All good advice, great video🇨🇦
Of all of these, I feel like the most important is the look-behind is the best. Its very thorough, and is probably something that requires more muscles/technique than most skills. Sure, a mirror can help, but I've felt like they screw up perception.
Some great tips, thanks!
Shifting, but that has its own video(s). Track stands have their own videos, too. Slow, tight radius turns and other crafty maneuvers as well.
Thanks, I found this really useful. I’ve been working on many of these. Not there yet
You got this!
Thanks.I am a recent convert from long distance running to cycling. I'm in a decent shape so I can get pretty fast but my bike handling skills are pretty bad so I was afraid to put my hands on the drops during the first week of cycling.
Do what Connor says, get on grass and do the slow stuff, like riding motorcycle trials 👍.
The Garmin Varia radar is super helpful for warning you about an approaching vehicle from behind. I find it very reassuring and lessens the need to constantly look behind you.
Yeah, I ride further into the lane with the Varia. It’s easy to be clear with signalling with the advance notice and drivers seem to appreciate it. Having a vehicle count is good too - it rarely misses multiple passers.
I'd love to see another video of tips for riding on gravel!
I used to ride hands free without a thought - but I now I'm I'm my late 60s I just don't seem able to do it any more!
I had a bike with a replaced fork that made no hands impossible. The rake in it was really shallow I guess. Not all bikes will let you ride hands free
@@jack002tuberYeah, I have a new bike and I'm having trouble riding hands free. It always drifts to one side so I have to lean to the different side.
@@benbohne5872 That's not the way it should be. I wonder if it was wrecked. A bike mechanic should look at it, in my opinion. Good luck
when i was 12 i had some old road bike i could take longer turns and pedal it hands free .. now im far from that ( on a different bike )
I would add that when riding one handed, be careful if you have to brake. I was riding with one hand, and I had to stop. Not even thinking I hit the brake, unfortunately it was my front and it didn't lock but the force turned my bars and I flew over and hit pavement. Luckily just skinned up, glad i had helmet because it totally saved my head when it hit.
Why would the force turn you bars, the brake is on the wheel, which is central?
@@johnnunn8688 could be the force of pressing the brake lever itself? a similar thing almost happened to me, but I was riding slow enough that I was able to let go of the brake and correct course
Great advice Connor 😊 love the new bike dude.. Pete 🚴♀️🚴🏻👍
I like having a rear view mirror on the traffic side of my drop bars, means I can frequently glance at it to keep an eye on whats behind me.
I ride my bike to work mon-friday im always aware of my surroundings especially when 18 wheelers are flying pass me 🕺🚴
I have to keep my head on a swivel due to the fact that kids are getting dropped off at school when I'm commuting. A lot of people in a rush at that time so it's easy to be missed.
Navigating up and down gutters is a great basic control skill to learn.
I’m sure yall have done it before but a videos of drills to improve bike handling I always useful. I’m bad at turning especially when I’m going slow and there is some sort of gate I need to squeeze through
I dunno, just practice goi g slow through narrow gates?
The whole part about looking behind you, in my opinion, I say get a mirror and put it on your helmet, practice using it and scanning by moving your head. You can see everything behind you and never have to look away from looking forward. That is a skill you will use and need forever
Varia Radar is pretty good too. Especially in noisy conditions like descents.
@@billeterk I was out a couple of days ago and any headwind and I can’t hear anything. More I think about it the more a varia is looking like a good investment.
If pro drivers knew this.. there would be no crashes 😁
Memory ! - remembering where the injury inducing pot holes are on our Shockingly dangerous Nottinghamshire roads. 😂
A useful tip for looking behind you is that you often just put your chin on your shoulder, rather than cranking your head right round. (I'm sure i learned this from an earlier GCN video) its much easier on your neck, and because you are not rotating as much you are less likely to mess up your stearing
To look behind you, drop the elbow down on the side you're turning your head to. Very simple and very effective.
Regarding looking behind you, I usually look below my arm pit, its a bit quicker/safer especially in races and aero position
Right now, sitting here with road rash on my thigh, my elbow and multiple bruises, I don’t need to increase my confidence, I just need to unclip BEFORE stopping as I’ve learnt that the other way round is painful. Only been riding clipless for 15 yrs. You’d think I’d have learnt by now
4:55 Also, look out behind you for stalkers!
And is Conor's bike actually a bike, or just part of a suspension bridge with some wheels on? It's MASSIVE!!
With regard to looking behind you
What are your thoughts on rear view mirrors attached to your handle bars or cycling helmet
Ted 70 years old only been riding 6 months seriously and stiff as a board
My breaking and climbing skills put me a head of alot of other riders in the races
Unlike your spelling of braking.
No bunny hop? Bunny hopping over things at 30 km/h is so much fun.
Plus, it can save your tyres/wheels.
@@Thezuule1 and I’d rather bunny hop onto/over a speed bump at 30km/h than have my front wheel bash into it first
2:16 He looks like he hasn’t eaten in a long time! 😂
0:35 Don't skid on those expensive Pirelli tyres, they might blow out!
Regarding looking behind you, I usually look below my arm pit, its a bit quicker/safer especially in races and aero position
Video idea: a very expensive aero road bike with tt bars attached vs. a really cheap tt bike.
I'd like to see a video on hand signals.
To turn left, put you arm out left, to turn right……you get the picture?
Riding with no hands and looking behind, feel so different depending on the bicycle. I can go no-hands for a LONG time on my commuter, and easily look behind. But my road bike's front wheel is so much more squirrely! She doesn't need much to stay steady, so one hand is fine, but no hands is very challenging. And the position lower down makes it harder to look around compared to the commuter.
How about a video on how to descend safely.
Already been done. Look back in the vids.
The front brake does 75%-ish of the stopping power and that needs to be applied first, to get the weight onto the front wheel. I would recommend covering the front brake only, then when you have to make an emergency stop, then the brakes come on in the right order. Of course, getting your weight back is a given.
Having a Garmin Varia radar on my bike is vital since I don't need check for auto traffic behind me.
Absolutely, I’ve never regretted buying one 👍🏻
I have a Maria too - but I would never ever turn right without having a LOOK first.
I love my Varia, but it is no substitute for visually checking for traffic behind me.
I pray for your soul.
Slightly annoying when you see a fast moving dot and it turns out to be a much, much better cyclist :-)
Some of our weekend group struggle with the breaks when on the hoods, I am wondering if to strip it down and try moving them.
Them’s the brakes.
Oh sick! I’m early! Currently 1,710 views
Great video but I noticed you never have any lights or bell for letting people no you are passing??or as every vehicle these days has day running lights ??I like to be seen on the road .and ride with a bike radar with my wahoo still looking over the shoulder but most I see with group rides stay light but hardly any visibility Don’t get it been safe over speed on busy roads 🤦🏻♂️??
Did I see Conner look down to put his bottle back in the cage.
You did.
Oh hey, only me and the p*rn bots here! I must be very early today.
Years on the bike and still can't feel safe with no hands on the bike. Used to be able to do that as a kid, now not anymore!
We’ve already gotten rid of the bots. Maybe some experience made you start feeling afraid to let go of the handlebars 🤔
@@gcn Learn how to ride rollers that will fix it.
Stem length is relevant. Longer stem, easier to ride with no hands.
Are your wheels in line?
@@chrisbardellhow does that work? The wheel is in the same place.
These are valuable skills for any cyclist. I see too many old farts on e-bikes who can't lift one hand off the handle bar to indicate their direction or can't look over their shoulder and swerve without looking. Not to mention how to do an emergency break on a heavy bike at 25k speed. But we sports cyclists are the bad guys....
I’m an ‘old fart’ but also a very experienced and alert bloke. So, go and take your opinion and shove it where the sun doesn’t shine, mister.
If you want to stop quick, slide back, while grabbing the front brake, and feathering the rear. If you want to see behind, you can also look under your armpit, if you are in an aero position. You can keep pedaling hard, if you do it this way.
Why would you pedal hard, while braking?
@@johnnunn8688not what he meant. He made 2 different points for 2 different scenarios. Eg. Slide back while grabbing front brake. And the other is look under your pits when pedaling in an aero position.
What about unclipping after stopping quickly?
What about it?
How about dealing with rough pavement, rail crossings and potholes.
Plus slight variances in camber, kerbstones, gravel on the road following rain, leaves on the road, leaves on the road when it’s autumn AND wet? Have a word with yourself and practice.
Tram lines (Melbourne) can be iffy on narrower tyres. In the wet you need to be vertical as well as cross them obliquely.
Bike’s got a chimney, Hank disapproves.
The dirt on the camera lens (?) is quite distracting 😂
Harris Thomas Clark Sarah Thompson William
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❤
For me when i wanna look behind i just look below my armpits
ride 40km+
the disadvantage with this sport is the atrophy of the chest muscles and the shoulders and hips underdevelopment , those race bikes are even worse: neck pain, curved upper back.
solution: go for a swim.
feathering your brakes will not make you stop more quickly, With but wheels locked up you will stop the quickest. You then however cannot contol the direction of the stop as easily, this is why cars have abs.
I'm pretty sure the tip refers to holding your brakes at the limits of tire traction and feathering around that point.
@@padmanabhaprasannasimha5385 Yes I understand the principle but feathering is only an option up to certain speeds. In an emergency I´ve never seen anyone who didn´t lock their wheels. Progressive braking was behind the idea of Campys delta brakes which were useless, Humans will never beat abs and if you can't then attempting it in a high speed emergany stop is not a recommendation in my view
on my old trekking bike I have the Shimano Nexave breaks, they work like an ABS. Very nice for commuting in a crowded city where I need to do frequent emergency breaks. On the other hand at the first couple of hard breaks on my gravel bike I almost went over the handle bar...
@@twistoffat locking up your front wheel is often catastrophic. Locking up your back wheel isn't great for control. Essentially (unless you're turning or on a slippery surface) shift your weight back and lock your arms, pull the front brake as hard as you can without lifting the back wheel and pull the rear brake as hard as you can without locking it up.
Nonsense, utter and absolute nonsense. Who taught you how to brake?
I remember when skidded my Bike, when that girl child step right in front of me. Man, I was so close… so, I scream loud: “Sweety, take care your mom!!!”
👍👍🇮🇳🇮🇳❤❤IND
My insanity make road cycling unsafe
Maybe not just road cycling 😅
I really miss Manon. :( I love the other presenters, but it was just really nice having her there, too, and getting a little estrogen in this giant vat of testosterone.
No#1 rule of keeping safe is to not cycle anywhere cars are passing at speed.
Easy, block them.
@@johnnunn8688 They run me off the road, stop the car and threaten me.
💯😎👌💙👍👏🆒️🇺🇸
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Just an idea: Ben_is_running (youtube) is evolving in biking rn and taking it to his weekly schedule for later too (has found it great low impact aerobic training).. I wonder if he would be up if you needed a beginner for a challenge or a beginner gear/skill video or sth. He can bike around 29km/h for an hour easy pace on a hybrid : D
What on earth are you rambling about? Try your comment in English.
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