I can't left hand corner!!!

[Fubar]

Yep I need to get over it!! Really letting me down at the moment!!

No really, it just takes practice - coincidentally we were discussing this at a club meeting last night and a coach was saying if Peter Sagan put down some cones and practiced cornering 100 times he would get quicker. Same for us all.

 

[MichaelW2]

To make a left curve, pick your line with care.
As you approach the corner, move out to beyond the centreline of your lane, you want to be somewhere near the white line, but be prepared for approaching cars cutting across the line as they corner. You get better visibility the further out you are.
Pick a line that cuts across the apex of the bend. Enter wide, exit closer to the curb.
Check out the curve for loose sand, potholes, raggedy edge of road surface and extreme camber 9slope across the road).
Keep your inside pedal up. Look where you want to ride. Relax and enjoy.

Earlier this summer I found a gloriously curvy little bit of lane but it was spoilt by a large 4x4 coming towards me hogging the whole road. I went back and did it again with a clean run. Corners are ace.

 

[Nibor]

I can only mount and dismount on the left of the bike right is very wobbly if I ever attempt it.

 

[BikeGirlKent]

Seems everyone has their more comfortable side, think its just natural. Im a bit restricted to get out at the moment, kids holidays, bit have found some nice corners to practice on near me now!

 

[keithmac]

Road camber also alters how the bike feels in corners as well.

I notice on the motorcycles I service the rhs of front tyre always wears out first, would expect similar effect on a bicycle to some extent.

Altering road postion through a corner will also alter amount of camber effect (probably marginal though).

I normally lean over and loosen grip slightly on handlebars using bodyweight to steer but that my be learned behaviour from riding motorbikes every day as well.

 

[BikeGirlKent]

Yes that goes hand in hand, just worry that ill lean too much and face plant...doh!!

 

[vickster]

The road surface is often crappest closer to the kerb. Slowing down is the trick and then trying to accelerate out of the corner. If I go to fast I often end up running wide which is not terribly safe especially on narrow roads. I prefer to lean to the left than the right for sure. Again I always mount the bike from the left and it feels v odd to lock a bike on the right of a stand

 

[Fubar]

Yes that goes hand in hand, just worry that ill lean too much and face plant...doh!!

Don't be too hard on yourself, it really takes time and lots of practice to develop these skills - and with age it does gets harder. the more you cycle the more naturally these things will come.