Learning how to corner on a bike is an essential skill for any cyclist, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider. Cornering is not only crucial for racing and group riding, but it also helps you to navigate corners safely and efficiently during everyday riding. In this blog post, we’ll cover some tips and techniques to help you improve your cornering skills on a bike.
- Look Ahead
One of the most important things to remember when cornering on a bike is to look ahead. This means looking at the line you want to take through the corner, rather than at the obstacle or hazard you’re trying to avoid. Looking ahead helps you to anticipate what’s coming and to plan your movements accordingly, allowing you to corner more smoothly and efficiently.
- Brake Before the Corner
Braking during a corner can cause your wheels to lose traction and lead to a crash. Instead, you should slow down before the corner and brake in a straight line. This will allow you to maintain control of your bike and to carry more speed through the corner.
- Position Your Body Correctly
Proper body positioning is essential for effective cornering on a bike. When approaching a corner, shift your weight to the outside of the bike and lean your bike into the turn. Keep your inside foot up and your outside foot down, and use your outside arm to counterbalance your body. This will help you to maintain stability and control through the turn.
- Control Your Speed
The key to safe and effective cornering is to control your speed through the turn. You should aim to enter the corner at a comfortable speed that allows you to maintain control of your bike, and then accelerate out of the turn. If you find yourself going too fast, you can use your brakes lightly to slow down and regain control.
- Use Your Gears
Using your gears effectively can help you to maintain your speed through a corner. Shift to a lower gear before the turn, and then shift back up as you exit the turn. This will help you to maintain your momentum and to accelerate out of the turn more quickly.
- Practice
As with any skill, the key to improving your cornering on a bike is to practice. Start by practicing on a quiet road or in a parking lot, and gradually increase your speed and difficulty as you become more confident. Try to vary your practice by experimenting with different types of corners, such as tight corners, sweeping corners, and hairpin turns.
Mastering the art of cornering on a bike takes practice and patience, but with the right techniques and a little bit of practice, you can learn to navigate corners safely and efficiently. Remember to look ahead, brake before the corner, position your body correctly, control your speed, use your gears, and practice regularly to improve your cornering skills.
