A few days ago I observed a young man riding a road bike at a nice clip down Marsh Street in downtown San Luis Obispo texting on his phone with both thumbs.
Idiot.
But what really was bothersome was that it has been many decades since I have ridden a bike with no hands, and never while also concentrating on a two-handed mechanical device.
How’d he do that?
The answer, it seems, came from the Road Bike Rider newsletter. According to the author it’s easy.
- Of course you wear a helmet and groves, and avoid places like downtown SLO.
- Don’t go too slow. You need that forward momentum.
- “Hold the bar on top near the stem. As you continue to pedal, push back gently and evenly from the bar and sit up with your back straight. Let your arms drop to your side. Don’t keep them out front like you’re sleepwalking, hands hovering over the bar.”
- Continue to pedal steadily.
- After a while, when you get comfortable, you can actually steer the bike with slight movement of your hips.
- To get back to the bar, place both hands at the same time back on the bar.
Bingo. You’ve done it.
You’ve done it. Tell me how it works.
BTW: Just learned that it is illegal to ride no-handed in Florida. But not to worry, a state legislator there has introduced a bill to do away with the state law requirement that a bike rider must have at least one hand on the handlebars at all times. Phew.
