Speaker 1: In this video, I'm going to chat you through all the basics of track standing.
I'm even going to get the rest of the GCN presenters to show us their best track standing
skills too. Speaker 2: Nothing like making your coffee
while track standing. Speaker 3: I'm getting cocky right now talking
about porridge. I'm going, I'm going, no. I didn't even get on to my porridge toppings.
Speaker 1: Track standing, it's a very useful skill to have. It'll help you stay upright
without having to unclip. It'll save you a load of time and it'll help improve your balance
and it does look pretty impressive. Just check out [unintelligible 00:00:45] here. Legend
has it he's still there, track standing to this day, and it does look pretty impressive.
Track standing comes from the track used a lot in track racing in races such as the match
sprint. They would use it to try and get their opponent to go in front of them. First step,
please always wear a helmet. It's better to be safe than sorry. You also need to find
somewhere relatively quiet where it doesn't matter if you're static on your bike for too
long. Also, try and find a slight incline as it will make this a little bit easier.
If you haven't done this before and you're slightly worried about falling off, it might
be better to try it in trainers as you won't have to worry about unclipping and do it on
grass so you have a soft landing. Find where you want to track stand and gradually come
to a stop, and turn your wheel one way or the other. I prefer to point my wheel to the
right and lead with my right leg but you might find it easier doing it the opposite way.
If you are doing this on a slight gradient when you let go with of the pressure with
your lead-in leg you'll roll backwards, so try and find the right pressure and the right
balancing point. Try and center your bodyweight, having too much weight forward over the handlebars
will throw you off balance. Stand up on your pedals with your legs slightly bent. I find
the best place to position my hands is on the hoods. You don't really want to hold your
tops as it will put you off balance. [music]
Speaker 1: With more practice, and as you get better, you'll be able to do them on flatter
terrain and maybe even non-handed. Remember if you are track standing out in the road
you need to be aware of your surroundings so make sure you keep looking up and around
you. I know it's tempting to stare at your front wheel. I also thought I'd set a challenge
for the rest of the GCN presenters to show us their best track standing skills. Here's
mine. A bit wobbly. Do you reckon they fell for it?
Speaker 4: Right here it goes. It's not often that I have to put a helmet on when riding
in my back garden but it seems prudent, especially when these are involved. Wish me luck. I'm
just getting comfy. No bikes will be harmed in the making of this video.
Speaker 3: All right, here we are. Conor Dunne here, about to put all the other GCN presenters
to shame and show how a track stand should be done. I'm going to be here for quite a
while I think so make yourself comfortable, hoping the GoPro battery's going to last long
enough because this could be an Odyssey. Start the clock. Could be here for a while so I
thought I'd talk about my favorite porridge recipes. I think if you're going to have the
perfect porridge you've got to use just full-fat milk, rolled oats, whole oats are better,
they'll take longer to cook than the milled oats--
Speaker 2: Track stand and coffee there. This is a lot harder than it looks. Nothing like
making your coffee while track standing. Come on. Right, going to have to take it. Cheers.
Put that back. [music] [music changes]
Speaker 4: I think it might be the juggling balls. I could only find two with my son,
so the other's an apple. It keeps throwing me off balance. Otherwise, I'd totally nail
that. [music]
Speaker 3: That no one actually grasps and no one pays much attention but, it's all so
important. I'm getting cocky right now talking about porridge. Right, now my favourite--
No, no, I'm going, I'm going, I'm going. I didn't even get on to my porridge toppings.
All right, you'll have to listen to my porridge toppings another time. That was my track stand
attempt. I think it was a good effort. I think Manon or somebody is going to come in here
and just destroy it all. Hank's probably done it for 24 hours or something.
Speaker 2: [bleep] How many times can I ruin my house trying to do a track stand. Right,
we're up. [bleep] That's not working the way I want it to work.
Speaker 1: Who do you think had the best track standing skill? Have your say by voting on
the GCN app. Now it's over to you guys. Do you think you can do better than us? Why not
take part in our track stand challenge and upload your best tricks to the GCN app or
on social media using the hashtag: GCN trackstand challenge.
[00:06:45] [END OF AUDIO]