LarrySellerz

I need to get better at cornering. Ive read a lot about how to properly corner, but never tried to do any drills to improve my performance. Ive had a few bad crashes when cornering, so im a bit anxious when cornering and really never learned the skill of cornering fast at high speeds.

seypat

Look up the leaning vs counter steering threads. Or don't and save everyone the misery.

LarrySellerz

im sure the topic has been discussed to death (is counter steering a myth?) but im more looking for practical drills I can do in a parking lot or something. I have a hairpin on my commute that id like to be able to take at high speed.

seypat

Other than keeping the inside pedal up, it just happens for me. I can't really explain it. But Jack Burton can. Here's what he says about it:

genejockey 

Climb up Alpine, from Willowbrook to the gate, and descend. Take the descent as slowly as you want practicing braking before the turn, using the whole lane, keeping your eyes up so you can see hazards way ahead. There are WAY fewer cars than on any other climb/descent around here, and the slope is much more gentle, so you won't gain that much speed between turns. Do this by yourself, so you don't feel pressured to keep up with somebody else. As you get more practiced, you will feel more comfortable, and you can go faster. There are still hazards, as on all roads, so the trick is to learn how to descend without obsessing about them, but also not hitting them.

One of the biggest problems I have descending roads like 84 is obsessing on the hazards and avoiding them, which tends to make me brake too hard, and enter turns still braking; to focus on the road immediately ahead; and to focus on where I DON'T want to go rather than where I WANT to go. When I'm more practiced, I become better at all of those and I can descend more confidently, and thus faster. But the trick is to always stay within the limits of your confidence.

datlas 

Look where you WANT to go. Push hard on outside pedal and inside bar. Lean inside shoulder down/in. Practice on familiar turns.

Ogsarg

Keep in mind when you are on a public road, you have to be prepared for anything. Gravel/loose dirt, oncoming traffic in your lane, stopped vehicles, etc. If you are pushing the limits of your bike and your skills, it's unlikely you will be able to react. Great to focus on your skills (counter steering is not a myth) but be prepared for the unexpected.

njkayaker

Are you talking about taking curves when descending or taking sharp corners fast (like in a crit)?

DonkeyShow

seems pointless to take a throwaway corner at high speed.

LarrySellerz

I agree which is why I never learned

LarrySellerz

frankly either

indyfabz

Adapting from The Art of Racing in the Rain, The bike goes where the eyes go.

Great read, by the way. If it doesn't make you at least choke up you have no heart.

njkayaker

The techniques aren't the same (so, you are asking two questions). Learning to take turns while descending doesn't (shouldn't) involve other people. So, it's arguably easier to practice/learn.

It would be interesting to know exactly the turn (on a map) and what you mean by "high speed".

====================

There are lots of good references on the web. Doing a search for those first might be more effective: they might tend to be more comprehensive and avoid the "20 questions" thing that can happen in forums,

LarrySellerz

its a hairpin on a descent, so you easily enter the turn at 40+ mph. I would like to be able to take it at at least 25 mph, because a group ride I do occasionally uses that route as a climb in their ride and I want to be exceptional on the descent. I think a professional could take it at full speed. Not tech savvy enough to link google street view but its the canada college descent.

njkayaker

If you can see it on google maps or street view (it doesn't matter which), you just need to copy the URL (in the address bar at the top) and paste it into a reply (it's easy).

big john

You're taller than average, right? And over 200 pounds? You are not going to be able to corner with people who are a lot lighter and shorter than you are, unless they are not good at it. I know a woman who is 4'10" and she rides a custom frame with 650 wheels. She can ride turns like she is on rails.

It also depends on how much you are willing to risk. How close to the edge do you want to get, and why?

LarrySellerz

i'm 6'2 and 260 lbs right now. I agree that undue risk is stupid, im just trying to keep up with other riders who are racing and taking turns as fast as they can.

fishboat

If the OP spent more time on his bike and less time trolling BF with trolling topics, he might have fewer trolling questions.

big john

You might be able to drop them on a straight descent and you might be able to make them work on flat ground but a good 150 pound rider is going to smoke you on the climbs and most likely on twisty descents, too. Shallow turns you can do all right but sharp ones look out.
I did get to the point where I could do pretty well on rolling hills, too. Long climbs, I just settle into my pace and sharp turns I stay out of the way.

Seattle Forrest

​​​​​​Ride fast, try turning sharply. Stay within your limits but push a little. Pick a line and try to follow it.

Other sports and exercises help with this, including weight lifting and yoga, because they force you to develop more awareness of your body.

genejockey 

This one?