Looking over my shoulder

[lavoisier]

Has anybody any tips for looking backwards whilst cycling? I tend to drift when I'm doing this and don't feel too confident at all.

Thanks

Paul

 

[Arsen Gere]

Most people drift like this at first but getter better with practice. It's like learning to reverse a car, you are all over the place at first.
If you get the chance to ride with others, it is common practice to put a hand on the shoulder of the closest rider when you turn around so you don't bring everyone down.

You'll get the hang of it.

 

[calibanzwei]

Usually just a tiny glance to the side/rear is enough to ensure you're clear (immediately) behind - I usually use this as a precursor to a 'proper' look back, so if I do happen to drift slightly there won't be any rude surprises

 

[greyhound_dog_1]

It took me a few months to get confident doing it, I'd just recommend practice. You didn't feel confident cycling at first when you were 4 years old did you? These things take time. I was the same. But it's a necessary skill, gives you more confidence to pull out in traffic. Turning around and eyeballing the driver behind is also a good way to get someone to let you in and turn right in fast moving traffic.

Basically unless you have an owl-like neck able to turn 180 degrees, the challenge is to look behind you while keeping your weight centered on the bike. Maybe also consider a cycle mirror?

As for tips other than practice, I'd it is easier to do it at reasonable speed rather than too slowly, that way you can stop pedalling so you can turn your whole body a bit.

It's difficult to describe but thinking about it I find if I was looking over my right shoulder (which is usually where the danger is when turning right on a fast road), I stop pedalling, take my right hand off the handlebars (left hand only) and sit upright, twist right a bit on my seat so left leg is against the crossbar, then glance round. Then turn back and straighten myself out before I end up in a bush. Something like that anyway!

 

[Iaing]

Of course it depends on the type of handlebars and your riding position but I find the Cateye BM 500G mirror absolutely indispensible.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cat-Eye-BM-500G/dp/B004FEPLCY

Iain

 

[lulubel]

It's difficult to describe but thinking about it I find if I was looking over my right shoulder (which is usually where the danger is when turning right on a fast road), I stop pedalling, take my right hand off the handlebars (left hand only)

I was going to say, I find I put my weight onto the hand opposite the shoulder I'm looking over, and that seems to help me stay straight.

 

[Riverman]

Without sounding big headed thos has always come natutally yo me. You're not actually looking over your shpoulder really but instead invoking rhe power of you periphery vision.

 

[numbnuts]

mirror +1

 

[gaz]

Go to an empty carpark. Practise, practise and practise some more.

 

[John90]

Yes to practicing in a safe environment. I did mine in the park until I could do it without a wobble. Didn't take that long.

I did a road safety bike course with the local Council. The instructor had me looking over my shoulder and counting how many fingers she was holding up. Quite tricky if you wear glasses because unless you have wrap-arounds you can't look through the lens when looking behind.

 

[lavoisier]

Thanks all, some good advice there.

TBH I don't fancy a mirror and maybe I'm being a bit impatient(only been cycling for 4 weeks) and have only had to try this half a dozen times or so.

Will keep practising and hopefully won't hit anything in the meantime.


Paul

 

[zacklaws]

If you take a hand off the bars to look, with your remaining hand, move it closer to the stem then any movement with that hand is not exagerated effecting the steering, but ensure first it is safe to the front, ie no reason to brake or pot holes to swerve around.

 

[pshore]

[QUOTE 1503205"]
Learn to move your head by just moving your neck, not twisting with your upper body as this is when you will start to swerve.
[/quote]

After a while, your muscles stretch a bit making it easier to turn your neck further. Then you go to France cycle touring and you discover you can't turn as far on the other side.

 

[jim55]

im fine doing this on my flat bar bike but when im on my rd bike i wobble about and stop quite a lot to check ,,itl come through practice i guess

 

[ajwilcox]

If you take a hand off the bars to look, with your remaining hand, move it closer to the stem then any movement with that hand is not exagerated effecting the steering, but ensure first it is safe to the front, ie no reason to brake or pot holes to swerve around.

Thats a good idea. WIll give that a try.