Re: Countersteering?

richard said:

Crystal Palace 2007 is a weekly summer criterium series run in London,
UK (pics live here ->
http://www.londoncyclesport.com/news/article.asp?SP=372470202818406744344&v=2&UAN=714).

It's one of those tough hilly, twisty types of circuit with a couple of
hairpins , and attracts a reasonable pro/semi-pro and amateur field of
around 100 riders.

Thanks for the reply.

R.

Ok, that's a whole different ball of wax. I'll bet the riders were just
throwing themselves into a steep lean rather quickly. This probably
involved some unconscious countersteering, but that was probably just a
result of them doing it quickly. Yes we all know all urns iinvolve
countersteer, but when I say conscious, or unconscious countersteer, I
mean intentional-yank-the-bars-the-other-way vs just doing a turn.

The only way to get good at cornering is to do it. Lean hard, keep the
weight mostly on the pedal, inboard knee out to get the CG lower. Don't
look where you don't want to go. If you look at the gaurdrail on the
outside of the corner, you'll end up going that way.

Practice in a parking lot, and go by the sound of the tires to see if
you are really hanging it. You should be able to feel the tires
scrubbing.

All that said, it's been years since I've been in a criterium, but I
never went down.

Joseph

PS: You are aware that this ng has a rather special form of discourse,
are you not?

In article
<[email hidden]>,

Quoted message said:

richard said:

Crystal Palace 2007 is a weekly summer criterium series run in London,
UK (pics live here ->
http://www.londoncyclesport.com/news/article.asp?SP=372470202818406744344&v=2&UAN=714).

It's one of those tough hilly, twisty types of circuit with a couple of
hairpins , and attracts a reasonable pro/semi-pro and amateur field of
around 100 riders.

Thanks for the reply.

R.

Ok, that's a whole different ball of wax. I'll bet the riders were just
throwing themselves into a steep lean rather quickly. This probably
involved some unconscious countersteering, but that was probably just a
result of them doing it quickly. Yes we all know all urns iinvolve
countersteer, but when I say conscious, or unconscious countersteer, I
mean intentional-yank-the-bars-the-other-way vs just doing a turn.

The only way to get good at cornering is to do it. Lean hard, keep the
weight mostly on the pedal, inboard knee out to get the CG lower. Don't
look where you don't want to go. If you look at the gaurdrail on the
outside of the corner, you'll end up going that way.

Practice in a parking lot, and go by the sound of the tires to see if
you are really hanging it. You should be able to feel the tires
scrubbing.

All that said, it's been years since I've been in a criterium, but I
never went down.

PS: You are aware that this ng has a rather special form of discourse,
are you not?

A hot corner turned perfectly feels like floating. Out
of the saddle, weight on the outside pedal, unload the
outside hand grip a trifle, inside hand grip normal,
and otherwise disconnect from the rest of the bike. I
put my attention on the two contact patches, and watch
where I want to go.

Ideas differ here. For maximum cornering I like to keep
my posture rather more upright, and lean the bike under
me: less mass to move when preparing to turn, and a
boon for S turns.

--
Michael Press

Quoted message said:

A hot corner turned perfectly feels like floating. Out
of the saddle, weight on the outside pedal, unload the
outside hand grip a trifle, inside hand grip normal,
and otherwise disconnect from the rest of the bike. I
put my attention on the two contact patches, and watch
where I want to go.

Ideas differ here. For maximum cornering I like to keep
my posture rather more upright, and lean the bike under
me: less mass to move when preparing to turn, and a
boon for S turns.

--
Michael Press

----------
I just lean the bike too, and stay upright. It seems like you can
change your line easier that way, if you have to. But if a turn hits me
unexpected, for whatever reason, I will instinctively lean me and the bike.