Pedal hitting the ground on corners

[gaz]

^^
It's possible, motorbikers do it to an extreme degree when racing, however it is impossible to lean off the side AND pedal hard at the same time.

I didn't say it wasn't possible in general, just that it wouldn't get you around a tight corner.
Motorcyclist do it if there is a series of opposite corners, it's easier to shift their weight rather than the motorbike.

 

[gaz]

[QUOTE 1509698"]
No you don't. How do you lose control, you are using your body to lean.

And in answer to your second question - to go faster.
[/quote]


Not lose control as in fall over in a heap. But that you don't have the same control over the bike as you do when you lean with it which keeps the steering axis, tire contact patches and center of gravity all in the same plane. This preserves the proper handling characteristics of the bicycle, and makes a skid less likely.

To quote jobst brandt

Some riders believe that sticking out their knee or leaning their body away from the bike, improves cornering. Sticking out a knee is the same thing that riders without cleats do when they stick out a foot in dirt track motorcycle fashion. It is a useless but reassuring gesture that, on uneven roads, actually works against you. Any body weight that is not centered over the bicycle (leaning the bike or sticking out a knee) puts a side load on the bicycle, and side loads cause steering motions if the road is not smooth. Getting weight off the saddle is also made more difficult by such maneuvers.

 

[smokeysmoo]

For the record, don't try and freewheel round any corners if you're riding fixed