How to ride faster

Mastering Bike Handling Skills

Speed is exhilarating only when you're in control. To ride fast and safely, you need to master the art of steering, balancing, and maneuvering your bike. Developing these skills requires patience and focus. Here are some essential techniques that the most skilled and confident riders practice regularly:

Riding in a Straight Line

Traveling in a straight line is not just about achieving speed—it’s also about maintaining stability. Weaving unpredictably can slow you down and put you at risk of collisions, especially when sharing the road with vehicles. Imagine riding side-by-side with a friend during a casual weekend ride. To stay close, you need to maintain a straight path. Wobbling or bumping into your buddy could lead to frustration and even injury.

At first glance, riding in a straight line might seem straightforward, but it demands practice. Balancing a bike at high speeds requires fine-tuned coordination of your body and pedals. To achieve this, relax your upper body, shoulders, and arms, and focus on making smooth, circular motions with your feet. Ensure you're in the right gear—too low a gear can make you bounce awkwardly, while too high a gear can cause unnecessary strain. Finding the perfect gear ratio that balances power and balance will come naturally with time.

Keep your gaze fixed on a distant point ahead and resist the urge to focus on your front wheel. Looking farther ahead will help you maintain your trajectory and avoid obstacles. With practice, you'll develop "peripheral vision," allowing you to stay focused on the road while noticing hazards like potholes or rocks.

Start at a gentle pace and gradually increase your speed as you grow more comfortable. Maintain a firm yet relaxed grip on the handlebars, paying attention to your posture. Tension in your body can lead to jerky movements, so aim for fluid, subtle adjustments.

Navigating Tight Spaces

No matter where you ride—on the road or on the trails—you’ll encounter situations where you need to navigate tight spaces. Whether it’s threading between parked cars or weaving between trees on a narrow trail, mastering this skill can make a huge difference in your riding efficiency. Before venturing out to tackle real-world challenges, practice in a controlled environment to build your confidence.

Using household items like garbage cans or cones can simulate tight spaces at home. Garbage cans are particularly useful because they mimic the height of obstacles you might face outdoors. Begin with a generous gap between the objects so you can ride through at a comfortable speed. Gradually decrease the space until you’re forced to slow down and carefully navigate. Always aim for a direct path and focus your attention ahead rather than fixating on the barriers. Over time, your confidence will grow, and you’ll notice the same skills translating seamlessly to outdoor rides.

Braking Techniques

Ironically, having excellent brakes and mastering braking techniques will actually make you a faster rider. Confidence in your ability to stop quickly and effectively is crucial for riding at high speeds. Knowing how to execute emergency stops and predicting your braking distance will help you maintain momentum for longer stretches of time, ultimately increasing your average speed.

Forget the old fear of grabbing the front brake and flipping over the handlebars. With your weight properly centered over the bike, using the front brake is safe and effective. Proper braking involves engaging both brakes in harmony. The front brake primarily slows you down, while the rear brake provides control under braking forces. Practicing even pressure on both brakes will teach you to stop smoothly at high speeds.

Building comfort with hard braking starts by understanding the biting point of your brakes—the amount of pressure needed to engage them fully. Knowing how long it takes you to stop at various speeds will boost your confidence when you hit the road. Emergency braking, where you bring the bike to a complete stop from high speeds, is a life-saving skill that requires practice. To refine your braking technique, head out on a quiet road. Start slowly, applying light pressure, and gradually increase your speed while practicing harder braking.

Cornering

Effective cornering is essential for maintaining speed through turns. While you must slow down before most corners, a well-executed turn will help you preserve momentum and accelerate out of the corner. Always approach a corner with a plan—choose your line and stick to it. The general rule is to enter and exit wide but stay tight at the apex. Be vigilant for obstacles along your chosen path, such as rocks or potholes, and adjust accordingly.

Your body position is equally important. Keep your weight centered over the bike with a flat back and firm grip on the handlebars. On flat corners, placing your hands in the drops offers greater control and lowers your center of gravity. For mountain biking, the "attack position" is highly recommended: stay loose, stand up slightly, distribute your weight through your legs, keep your heels down, and maintain a clear view of the trail ahead.

These principles apply across different terrains, from road to gravel to mountain biking. Practice cornering in a safe environment, starting slow and gradually increasing your speed. Don’t forget to ride the corner both clockwise and counterclockwise—many riders prefer one side over the other, so practice leaning in both directions.

Efficient Climbing

Hills are notorious speed killers, but there are ways to conquer them efficiently. Settle into a steady pace that you can maintain throughout most of the climb. Push yourself consistently but avoid burning out. A full-throttle ascent may get you to the top faster, but it could leave you exhausted for the subsequent flat sections.

Smooth shifting is key—know when to change gears based on your cadence. Staying seated as much as possible helps maintain traction over the rear wheel. Shifting your weight subtly can be beneficial on steeper inclines. Experiment with different positions while pedaling to understand how it affects your control. If needed, stand up to finish the climb when the grade becomes too steep.

Thrilling Descents

For many riders, the thrill of descending is what keeps them coming back for more. However, rough roads, potholes, and unexpected obstacles demand attention. The key to handling descents is staying loose. A relaxed body allows the bike to absorb shocks more effectively, preventing fatigue and reducing the risk of accidents.

Keep your eyes up and scan the road ahead. Apply gentle pressure on the brakes to maintain control, avoiding sudden, aggressive stops. By shifting your weight dynamically—from side to side and front to back—you can anticipate upcoming maneuvers, whether it’s a sharp turn or a technical section of the trail.

Cornering while descending is a skill unto itself. Novice riders often make the mistake of braking mid-turn, which drastically reduces traction and increases the likelihood of losing control. Instead, scrub your speed before entering the corner, release the brakes just before leaning into the turn, and apply pressure on the outside pedal. This technique allows you to “slingshot” through the corner and exit faster than you entered.

Observing experienced riders is invaluable for mastering descents. However, be cautious not to push beyond your limits just because someone else is speeding ahead. Maintain safe distances and observe their lines to learn how to respond quickly in case of an emergency.

Mastering Track Stands

Starting and stopping frequently can kill your momentum, especially during long rides. Instead of repeatedly unclipping and re-clipping at intersections, learn the art of the track stand.

A track stand enables you to balance the bike without dismounting, keeping both feet clipped in. At first glance, balancing on a bike seems counterintuitive, but it’s surprisingly easy to learn. To practice, swap your clipless pedals for flat ones or wear flat-soled shoes. Find a slightly sloped surface, like a driveway, and slowly roll forward. Turn your handlebars slightly to one side and practice shifting your weight back and forth between your feet and the handlebars. Initially, these movements may feel exaggerated, but they’ll become smoother over time. With practice, you’ll be able to maintain balance for as long as your legs allow.

Pro-tip: Track stands are a fun way to practice on a rainy or cold day in the garage.

Bunny Hopping

Often, the quickest way over an obstacle is to jump it rather than go around it. Whether it’s a pothole, a rock, or a misplaced water bottle, mastering the bunny hop can make your ride smoother and safer. While clipping in, getting both wheels airborne is simple—just pull up on the handlebars and leap—but it feels forced and lacks precision. Learning the proper technique will make you a faster and safer rider.

Bunny hopping relies heavily on timing. To execute it correctly, pull the handlebars toward your chest and “scoop” the rear wheel upward. This isn’t achieved by merely lifting your feet but by applying backward pressure and pushing your feet back as you rise. A well-executed bunny hop will have the rear wheel follow the front to its highest point.

This skill is best learned in a parking lot or driveway after watching tutorials. It’s challenging to master, and for most people, it takes a solid week of practice. However, the effort is worthwhile—once you’ve perfected it, you’ll have one of the most powerful tools in your cycling repertoire.

Pro-tip: Start by bunny hopping over something small, like a rag, to avoid crashes. Record yourself with your phone to check your form. Once you’ve nailed it, work toward larger obstacles.

Riding in a Pack

All of these bike-handling skills will not only make you faster but also enhance your ability to ride efficiently in a group. However, riding in a peloton is a completely different challenge that requires communication, trust, and advanced bike-handling skills.

Group riding isn’t just about riding alongside others—it’s about working as a team to reach your destination quickly and safely. Expect to draft and signal to communicate during group rides. After several rides with the same group, you’ll learn their dynamics, verbal and non-verbal cues, and proper etiquette.

Getting used to riding closely with others can feel intimidating, but the only way to learn is by joining. Your first group ride doesn’t have to feel like the Tour de France—talk to your local bike shop or search online for beginner-friendly options.

Glancing Behind You

Being able to look behind you while riding is vital for maintaining speed and safety. Whether you’re checking traffic or communicating with riders behind you, you’ll eventually need to glance over your shoulder. The problem is that a quick peek can throw you off course.

Looking over your shoulder while maintaining your direction and speed is critical, especially on public roads or shared trails. It enhances your safety and becomes a routine part of every ride. You drift in the direction you’re looking because your center of gravity shifts that way. To counteract this, push the handlebars slightly in the opposite direction of your gaze. This takes time and practice, but it’s worth it.

Stay Relaxed

High-speed riding exposes you to road chatter, bumps, and obstacles that move faster than your body can react. Tension will only amplify these effects, leaving you fatigued or, worse, prone to crashes. Our instinct is to tighten our grip on the handlebars, but this leads to rigid arms and shoulders, making precise adjustments nearly impossible. Practice relaxing your upper body and keeping your index fingers lightly on the brake levers. Bend your knees and elbows to act as a natural suspension system. Let the bike float beneath you, and you’ll notice how continuous micro-adjustments allow you to steer effortlessly.

Always keep your fingers near the brake levers instead of gripping the handlebars tightly. This extra awareness could mean the difference between a safe ride and a serious accident.

Body Positioning

Relaxation is a recurring theme when discussing body positioning and high-speed riding. While your body should be centered over the bike, staying loose will allow it to move naturally. Smoothly shifting your weight on the bike is the key to a stable and fast ride. Cornering and descending are prime examples of when you’ll need to adjust your weight dynamically. Stay loose and prepared to shift as needed.

Look Ahead

As the saying goes, don’t miss the forest for the trees. This applies to cycling too—high speeds can make you focus too narrowly on immediate obstacles, leaving you unprepared for upcoming turns or hazards further down the road.

Focus on the road or trail ahead and let your peripheral vision handle nearby obstacles. Anticipating what’s coming gives you enough time to adjust your body positioning or steer accordingly. It also ensures you leave enough space for the rider in front of you.

Manage Cadence

Improving your cadence can dramatically boost your power and speed. Producing power at both low and high cadences is essential for maintaining high speeds. The best way to develop this skill is through interval drills. These drills refine your pedal stroke and pedaling efficiency while increasing your maximum cadence.

Build Endurance

Besides bike-handling skills, riding fast requires power and endurance. While bike handling can’t be learned indoors, endurance and power can be cultivated through structured training.

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) and Zone 2 workouts are excellent ways to build power and endurance. HIIT involves short bursts of intense exercise followed by brief recovery periods, significantly improving cardiovascular fitness and strength. Zone 2 workouts, which involve sustained moderate efforts, help build aerobic capacity. Combining these methods will help you develop the endurance needed to ride faster.

Join a Group Ride

Once you’ve honed your bike-handling skills and built sufficient power, joining a local group ride is the next step. Group rides push you to match the pace of the pack, revealing any gaps in your abilities. If you find a ride too easy, it’s time to step up to a faster one.

Start with novice rides and progress to intermediate levels to push yourself further. Group rides highlight weaknesses and strengths, offering opportunities for growth.

Get Bike Insurance

Cycling carries inherent risks, especially at high speeds. Crashes are inevitable for most riders, whether due to poor judgment, excessive speed, or unseen obstacles. Specialty bike insurance addresses these risks by covering crash damage, theft, and accidental harm.

Velosurance offers comprehensive coverage, including up to $500 for riding apparel and $1,000 for spare parts like wheelsets. A quick five-minute quote and a business-day policy issuance make it an ideal choice for peace of mind.

Conquer Fear

Going fast can be terrifying, but overcoming fear is essential. Start small and gradually build speed as your confidence grows. Remember to relax, maintain proper body positioning, and always look ahead. Avoid diving into the steepest hills immediately—start with manageable challenges.

The biggest hills aren’t going anywhere—they’ll still be there when you’re ready.