Think you’re hot stuff because you can hit 40 mph on descents? Well, here’s a humbling challenge for you: Try going as slow as possible without falling over. It’s harder than it sounds, and it’s a great way to improve your overall bike handling skills.
Next time you’re out for a ride, find an empty parking lot or a quiet cul-de-sac and try these slow-speed drills:
- The Snail Race: Mark out a straight line about 30 feet long. Your goal is to ride this distance as slowly as possible without putting a foot down or veering off course. The last one to cross the finish line wins. Warning: You may feel ridiculous, but you’ll be building crucial balance and control.
- The Tight Turn: Set up some water bottles in a figure-eight pattern. Ride around them as slowly as you can, making your turns as tight as possible. This helps you practice weight shifting and steering control.
- The Track Stand: Try to balance your bike without moving forward. Start out with regular shoes if you’ve never done it before, then progress to both feet clipped in. Masters of this skill are the envy of every stoplight.
- The Slalom: Set up a line of cones (or water bottles) and weave through them as slowly as possible. This improves your ability to maneuver in tight spaces.
Remember, the key to all these drills is to go slow. Really slow. Think molasses-in-January slow. You’ll probably wobble, you might fall, and you’ll definitely get some strange looks from passersby. But stick with it, and you’ll notice improvements in your overall bike handling, especially in tricky situations like slow-moving traffic or crowded start lines.
Plus, there’s an added bonus: Next time you’re stuck behind that annoyingly slow rider on a narrow path, you’ll have the skills to stay upright without cursing under your breath.
So go ahead, embrace your inner tortoise. After all, sometimes the best way to get faster is by going slower.