Ride No Handed on a Bike
Riding without hands can be a fun and exciting thing to do, but it can also be dangerous if you don't practice and stay alert!
Contents
Steps
- Try riding one-handed with each hand. You may find that one hand is easier to ride with than the other. If you practice enough it will become easier.
- Once you get the hang of riding one handed, try taking your hands off of the handlebars for a few seconds at a time. Keep them close so you can grab the bars again and not fall if you get nervous.
- When you're ready to give it a try, find somewhere with lots of open space that slopes downhill slightly. This will let you coast downhill and maintain your speed without pedaling.
- Keep your center of gravity low. Focus your weight on the seat and pedals before taking your hands off the handlebars.
- Take your hands off of the handlebars, but only lift them about one inch above the handlebars at first because then you can easily regain control of the bike by grabbing the handlebars if necessary.
- Practice going in straight lines, eventually you will become comfortable enough to try making turns by leaning.
- To turn while riding no-handed, move your lower body in the direction you want to turn, but try to keep a grip on the bike with your knees and keep your upper body straight. Pointing your knees in the direction you wish to turn helps.
Tips
- Riding without your hands is all about balance be careful not to over-correct if you feel like you are going to fall. Small corrections are very effective.
- Going slower while doing this is much harder than riding at a regular speed, just like riding a bike with your hands you will be more stable while traveling faster.
- Be aware of the direction you are pointing your knees. This really affects your balance. You can also use your knees to regain balance if you are unsteady.
- This trick is hard to learn on certain types of bike, namely gearless BMX's. Small bikes reduce your center of gravity, but tend to steer themselves. Finding the right bike to practice on is key.
- To increase stability, raise the seat as high as possible to lock one leg and leave the other bent, this goes a long way to increasing stability. Also, pinching the frame with your legs can add that needed control without your hands.
- You can reduce the amount that the bike rocks back and forth while pedaling by keeping your core/abdominal muscles tight.
- Always wear a helmet and you might consider protective gloves while you are practicing. Always practice on some soft surface, as you will probably fall at least once!
- Make sure you're steady and calm.
- Pedals with toe clips can help greatly in maintaining control of a bike when riding with no hands.
- Make sure that you are wearing safety gear to keep you safe.
- It helps to be going about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}, preferably 15.
- Push your knees together for a move steady balance.
Warnings
- Don't attempt sharp turns no-handed, and be careful if the road is wet.
- In some countries (including Australia), laws prohibit riding in public areas with less than one hand on the handlebars.
- Riding no handed on a windy day is much more difficult.
- Don't try learning on grass. Riding on grass is very difficult because you're always jolting around; you need to learn on a smooth and stable surface.
- Beware of potholes and uneven surfaces.
- Be careful, and don't do anything stupid.
- Needless to say, always wear a helmet while riding a bike. If you are going to ride no handed (especially if this is your first time trying it) you might also want to wear elbow and knee protection.
- This is very dangerous while you are learning, be careful and wear the appropriate safety equipment.
