Steering pressure

[lebedo]

I did a really enjoyable ride today. Not a long one. Just enough to focus on my upper body position and input. At first I feeled tense, sensing that my inside arm was pushing the bike underneath me. I wasn't happy with that,so I tried to move around the bike by using my ankles and knees. I could feel it was better, I was less stressed on the handlebars. But still, I wasn't happy with what I was doing. So I remembered the " Move your helmet one width to the inside " and give it a Go. As I tried to move it, I steel was tense ans could feel I was moving using the handlebars. So I tried to move my helmet with my knee and ankles until I could feel  a bend in my inside elbow. Tension was gone from my both arms and I was ready for countersteering.

[lebedo]

Of course for transitions I was using my outside knee and ankle. Don't know if I did the right way but the ride was safe and enjoyable. No pressure on the bars so I could move without upsetting the bike. I really pulled my helmet inside the turn until I could feel there was no tnesion in the elbow. Basically my helmet was kissing the mirror. 

[Jaybird180]

Once a rider has accepted the idea that it is the handlebars that turn the machine, things begin to fall into place. Kissing the mirror retracts the pushing arm, usually stabilizing the lower body so the rider can get the leverage to use a smart push on the bar to countersteer. This, you've no doubt discovered and mimics some of the merits of the "power steering" technique (given another name) Mr. Code mentions in Twist of the Wrist II (book).

If you don't have it, I definitely recommend picking up a copy. It's a good read and a reference book. You won't regret it.

[Cobie Fair]

2-step, let's dig into that a little.  What's your understanding of the first of the 2 steps, how do you accomplish doing that?  This first part is often misunderstood, so just fill in what you take is on the first step, and how you go about it.

(I'll be in the office most of the next 2 weeks, a good time to catch up on the forum 😀).

Best,

Cobie

[lebedo]

Thanks guys for your help. 

Jaybird I do have ATOTW 1 and 2 . They're like Bibles to me !

Cobie: I initially thought that the First step was where I would steer the bike. I spot it as soon as possible then ride the bike to it and steer thee bike once on it. But after rereading page 99 and relooking Andy Ibott's video on that particular drill. For now, I think it's a more a reminder to look into the turn rather than a turning point. 

Hope that makes sense.

[lebedo]

My typo is awful... I mean " after rereading...and relooking..., I know think it's more...

Sorry for that...

[lebedo]

Argh... I now think it's more...

[lebedo]

So I did some homework today. Cool thing is that for me, homework is riding...

I focused only on my First Step : how do I find it ? How do I use it ? What am I doing once I reach it ? What benefits does it give me ?

I find my First Step by looking as soon as I can at the outside of the turn . Then I let the bike go as straight as possible doing nothing except reducing speed if needed .

I don't use it intentionally as a TIP . Sometimes it will be , sometimes I will have to push it away into the turn . I mean it's not a fixed TIP for me as I approach it .

I turn my head into the turn when I'm close to it ( speed was not high as I'm riding on public roads ). Usually at this point, when I turn my head , the road is broader . 

I found that by using this First Step , it gives me more room to turn into , a better view onto the turn, a line to go into the turn . When not having this First Step I start the turn sooner and slower and spend a lot of time leaned over . Line is also saccadic as the eyes move step by step into the turn and the bike follows that saccadic line . View is restricted a few meters in front of me .

I would say that I use this First Step as a reminder to look into the turn . It gives me more room and more time to choose a line . 

Hope this makes sense.

[lebedo]

Of course, the main benefit is confidence. I know where I am at the entrance of the turn : it'as a choice I made not something imposed by the turn . So I can focus on my next point , where I want to be in the middle of the turn before being into the middle of the turn . It gives me Timing and actions to do before they're imposed to me. It's the start of a Plan . 

[Cobie Fair]

👍

[lebedo]

Thanks Cobie. So my First Step is OK. Now I will focus on my Second Step.