Cycling
Handling technique: How to corner on your road bike By Simon Collis
Apr
Handling technique: How to corner on your road bike
By Simon Collis
One of the most thrilling aspects of road cycling is taking on a fast corner. The fun is in exhilarating feeling we get as we sweep around a corner at speed, and which is dramatically amplifies when that corner is downhill. The trick though is to take on this corner with the correct technique so that we make it through the corner safely and upright. This excellent article by Simon Collis offers a detailed description of how to approach an upcoming corner, take on that corner and exit it safely.
Mr. Collis describes the importance of apexing the curve, which he describes as “flattening out the curve as much as possible, by taking a broad line in and out of the turn”. When a rider flattens out the curve he or she can pass through the curve safely. Making the turn through the curve less about steering your bike and much more about body lean. When a rider leans into the turn correctly, the body’s center of gravity is lowered so that balance can be maintained and the tires can continue to grip the road.
As you begin to approach a curve the rider must evaluate his or her speed as long as possible before entry into the corner. It is much safer to brake when travelling in a straight line before the curve arrives. A rider’s eyes should always be looking ahead so that there is time to adjust speed or line when confronted by approaching dangers. The article concludes with a list of do’s and don’ts that encapsulate and summarize the entire article.
When have read the full article and put its lessons into practice, you too should be corning on your local road course more safely and having more fun doing it!
We at Wishing Well Outdoors hope that you enjoyed this article by Simon Collis. You may read the full article by clicking here the article’s title at the top of the page. If you are in the market for cycling equipment, apparel or accessories, please browse the cycling section of our storefront.
