New use for old rollers

Animator said:

While riding my rollers tonight I happened upon a new way to practice handling skills I thought worth sharing. I was set up next to a high stack of boxes and after bumping into them once accidentally I decided this may be a safe way to practice my "Robbie McEwen bumping skills." This was quite fun bumping my handlebars and shoulders into (I didn't think to practice head butts) and I got quite comfortable with it. Next, I secured a small plastic chair (but a box would work just as well) in a spot I could bump my front wheel into. This felt exactly like overlapping wheels on a real ride. I even fell off a few times. So I did this enough to get comfortable too. Whether this helps me on the road I'm not sure but it was at least a fun way to pass time.

The best thing to practice is DON'T over lap wheels. As for hip and shoulder bumping thats a novel idea. good luck with your racing.

DJA said:

The best thing to practice is DON'T over lap wheels. As for hip and shoulder bumping thats a novel idea. good luck with your racing.

This was just me being goofy on the rollers, I know, but I can't completely agree with your advise. I'd say practicing both is the way to go -- avoid overlapping and know what to do about it when it happens unexpectedly -- because it will happen sooner or later. The best way to practice this, of course, is with a friend in a grassy field. All you have to do is steer hard into the wheel you hit and shift your weight a little. It's easy once you get the hang of it. Having this skill will make you a much safer rider.

Animator said:

This was just me being goofy on the rollers, I know, but I can't completely agree with your advise. I'd say practicing both is the way to go -- avoid overlapping and know what to do about it when it happens unexpectedly -- because it will happen sooner or later. The best way to practice this, of course, is with a friend in a grassy field. All you have to do is steer hard into the wheel you hit and shift your weight a little. It's easy once you get the hang of it. Having this skill will make you a much safer rider.

Could you get into a little more detail on keeping upright when you overlap and actually rub tires.

Mish said:

Could you get into a little more detail on keeping upright when you overlap and actually rub tires.

Sure, I'll try. Like I said the best way to learn this is to ride in a field with a friend and purposely cross wheels. The grass will soften your falls. The way to stay up or at least give yourself a chance at staying up is to instantly steer into the rear wheel you touch. It's counter-intuitive but it can at least keep your wheel pointed straight ahead so you can shift your weight in the opposite direction and/or give you time to release your foot from your pedal, which can help soften your fall if nothing else. Ideally, you'll turn your front wheel forcefully enough that you'll actually counter-steer away from danger. Counter steering is where you push or pull your handlebars slightly in the opposite direction that you want to turn, and through the magic of centrifugal force or something, you actually do turn in the intended direction. That's another good technique to master. Hope this helps. Ride safe!

I got into counter steering when I used to do a lot of road motorcycling - i.e. higher speed riding. It was harder to practice when everything I knew was to turn the bars with the corner - but then finding counter steering worked so well and keeping with it when I could.

It'll be a completely different ball game on a racing bicycle when knocking in to another's wheel - especially in the heat of a race.
Good on you for practicing - if it helps you stay on - good on you🙂