Some forms of posturing are actually appropriate
Did you ever think about your posture while you are riding? Have you ever asked the question is my riding posture correct?
Riding posture is one of the most over looked aspects of road riding. For most of us, the topic was mentioned in your beginning rider course ( you did take one of those right?) Yet proper riding posture can do wonders to improve control and provide all day comfort.
Even on a straight road, it’s important to place ourselves in a central position that allows the bike to move freely beneath us as we stay mostly still. For that to happen, we must sit upright and relaxed. Your back should be should be straight but not stiff (and never slouched). Arms should be loose and your elbows relaxed, never locked. Your hands should rest lightly on your bars not griping them hard to improve feel through the bars and enable lighter steering input. Your knees should be bent slightly and lightly press against your gas tank. Having your feet your pegs/floorboards ready to bear your weight creates a more athletic position. If you have pegs on your bike and not floorboard. Place the balls of your feet the pegs when not shifting or braking.
Riders often complain of aching shoulders, sore wrist and stiff backs after even a few miles of riding. The culprit is often it’s because of poor riding posture. You can improve comfort by rolling your hips forward, which straightens the spine and absorbs shocks more efficiently. You can rotate your shoulders back instead of allowing them to roll forward; this one adjustment will greatly reduce shoulder stress and arm fatigue. Hinge forward at the waist to reach the handlebars without straightening your arms. Be sure not to place your weight on your hands and wrists. It may feel awkward at first, but it will soon become second nature.
So straighten up and ride right no slouching and see what a little posturing work can do to give you more control and less pain.
Michael Theodore
National Road Captain
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