Cornering

[Inthecup]

Went out on a ride today and must say I've not got any confidence in taking corners at any sort if speed. I've came from mountainbiking and can throw the thing round corners but on a road bike it's a completely different kettle of fish.

I was cycling in the countryside and almost ended up in a field at one corner and more dangerously was doing about 30mph, came to a shallow bend and almost ended up on the opposite side of the road!

Is there any tips as to what I can do to gain confidence or is it just a case of keep riding?

 

[Crackle]

You must be doing something different on your road bike to your mtn bike. Same rules apply, brake before the corner, pick your line and speed and look at the exit point.

 

[derrick]

Just practice, take it easy to start with, it will all come together.

 

[Inthecup]

Just too scared to trust the tyres I think!

 

[TheDoctor]

Your nerve will run out long before your grip!!

 

[ColinJ]

Have the outside pedal down, put your weight on it, and imagine trying to snap it off - it will make your bike feel like it is glued to the road! (Unless there is something slippery on the road, in which case - it won't! )

I used that technique today on a bend on a fast descent. I nearly crashed doing 20 mph down through that bend as a novice cyclist. Today, I went round it feeling totally relaxed at about 35 mph.

 

[MikeW-71]

^^ this

I have the opposite problem on my MTB. I can take fast turns on the road bike no problem, but trying to trust the tyres on a loose surface on the MTB is doing my head in

 

[slowmotion]

Just get behind somebody who's going pitifully slowly and copy what they do. Someone like this....

[media]
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxXqQqAc2pA
[/media]

 

[fabregas485]

You will be able to feel if anything is up.

 

[Tyke]

Push down on outside peddle and trust the grip its better than you think.

 

[Herzog]

Your brain will bottle it before your tyres do!


...unless it's wet of course...then you shouldn't attempt a Cancellara!

 

[Born2die]

As all above have said but make sure you know the bend well before you commit nothing worse than a shallow bend that suddenly tightens up

 

[Fab Foodie]

Everything you need to know is here ....

http://sheldonbrown.com/brandt/descending.html

Then just practice!

 

[Inthecup]

Thanks for the advice guys.

I suppose it doesn't help having the cheap stock tyres that came with the bike I bought. I'll have to ask Santa for some decent upgrades!

 

[Born2die]

Everything you need to know is here ....

http://sheldonbrown.com/brandt/descending.html

Then just practice!

Love the link many thanks