Speaker: We as a channel have done loads of videos on basic skills, skills that
us cyclists should know, but what if you've done those skills and they're second nature,
then what's next? What's the next step? What can we learn, improve on, to make us more of
a competent riders? Well, in this video I'm going to show you how to do this, this, oh,
and practice this. Hopefully, I don't end up like this. It's going to be a good'un. A banger. Make
sure if you haven't already to give this video a like and don't forget to subscribe. [whoops]
Now, this first skill is definitely something that you're going to want to have because it's
absolutely imperative that we eat and drink on our bikes, especially during those longer rides.
Have you ever been in that situation where you just can't get into your bar? Either your hand's
too cold, it's too windy, so you can't get your hands off the bars, or you just can't
open the wrapper that your bar's wrapped in. Well, here is a trick that you can get into
your bar nice and easy, only take one hand off the bars and still be able to eat your bar so
you don't bonk an hour down the line. All you have to do is get your bar out of your pocket,
take one hand off the bars, bash the bar with your nutrition bar and it should force the bar
through the wrapper. That way you can eat it without fiddling or biting or struggling
with getting into that nutrition product. The Bunny Hop. Now, the bunny hop is a
skill that we've definitely spoken about on the channel but it's a skill that is always worth
practicing and it cements itself as an advanced skill worthy to be on this very list. Now,
the bunny hop can get you out of all sorts of trouble. If you're stuck in a rut,
bunny hop out of it. If you see a pothole, bunny hop over it, getting you out of trouble and
getting you back on the road nice and easily. It's definitely a worthy skill to have in your
armory. How do we do it and how can we practice it? Well, it's best practiced on the grass. That
way if you fall or you tumble over, we've all been there, then it's worth doing that where it's on a
nice soft landing, or find a nice quiet road like this one, and just go like Tigger, hopping around.
When us cyclists are out on our adventures, well, there are a whole load of different
services we're going to meet. Gravel, wet tarmac, loose tarmac, dust, ice, you name it,
we're going to see it. What tips can we learn and practice that can help us on loose terrain?
In this little section, I'm going to show you some tips that you can put into practice. A few
top tips to have in mind when riding on loose surfaces. Now, the first one is don't slam on
your front brake. All that will happen is that you'll wash out your front wheel, and the chance
of you ending up on the floor is pretty high. What you want to try and do is modulate that
front brake and lightly use the back brake too to scrub off the speed before you can come to a stop.
When it comes to cornering, the same applies. When you're riding in the middle of the corner,
don't slam on that front brake, and don't brake too hard. Modulate the front and back brakes,
scrubbing off that speed, and try and do it when you're not in the middle of the corner. Now,
this especially applies when you're riding on gravel or ice. Make sure you keep your bike as
straight as possible and don't make any drastic changes of direction because you'll end up on the
floor. Trust me, I've been there. Hate to say it. A skill always worth having in your armory
is being able to take off and on clothing. If the heavens open and it starts raining,
you're going to need to put your cape on without a moment's notice. Now, the first
skill you need to have is being able to take your hands off the bars like so. It's also good
if you end up winning races so you can get a good celebration. Once you've done that, you then want
to practice taking your cape out, concentrate on the road ahead, get your arms in, and zipping up.
Now, the best thing to do is to be able to keep pedaling. This keeps the momentum forwards and
it keeps your front wheel nice and straight. The faster you go, the easier it is. Now it's also
worth remembering that it's going to be a lot easier with a gilet rather than a long sleeve
cape, and practice makes perfect. Find a not so windy day and keep practicing, off and on again.
Another skill worth practicing is riding in a group. Now, this is where you want to anticipate
riders' movements at a moment's notice. Being able to read their signals, knowing what they're
going to do and when they're going to do it. The best thing to do is find a group or some friends
that you trust and that you know are competent riders and then you want to slowly ride closer
and closer to them. With a bit of practice, you'll be able to get the most out of the aerodynamics,
as well as feeling safe and relaxed while riding nice and close to one another. Right,
it's quite difficult here because, well, I don't have any friends or a group to ride with,
so I'll have to save that one for another day. Make sure you keep practicing these skills because
the more practice you'll give them, the better you'll get at them. One day, well, you'll be like
me, doing skills like this. Oh. I nearly got it. Right, I need more practice, I need more practice.
[grunts] Here all week, guys, here all week. [00:06:25] [END OF AUDIO]