I have always been fascinated by trackstanding. Standing completely still on a bike looks so cool. This skill is often used by track sprinters when trying to stay behind their opponent in the tactical part of the sprint. It seems complex, but actually, it is possible to learn how to make a good trackstand with some practice. I usually post advice about physical training, but today’s post is dedicated to technical skills.
Before you start practicing:
Wear a bike helmet. Accidental events might happen during practice, and wearing a helmet is always good.
Use regular pedals and shoes. Instead of using your finest carbon cycling shoes, wear a standard pair of shoes. It makes it easier for you to jump off the bike when/if you lose your balance.
Tips that will make your trackstanding easier
A trackstand is a bike maneuver where the rider balances on the bike without moving forward or backward. The front wheel is usually parallel to the back wheel, and the rider’s feet are usually on top of the pedals. It looks impressive, it’s great for your balance, and it can help you rest while out on a long ride. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to trackstand for beginners.
- Start by rolling forwards until you’re in a comfortable position and the bike is balanced. You can practice this at slow speeds first to get a feel for it.
- Put your right foot down on the ground and unclip your left foot from the pedal. You can also put your left foot down if that feels more comfortable.
- Apply pressure to the pedal with your right foot to keep the bike from rolling backwards. At the same time, use your left hand to apply pressure to the front brake lever. This will help keep the front wheel from rolling forward.
- Use small movements of your hips to keep the bike balanced and steady. If you need to shift your weight, do so slowly and evenly so that you don’t lose your balance.
- If you start to roll in either direction, use your feet and hands to correct your balance and get back into place.
- When you’re ready to move again, clip your left foot back into the pedal and roll forwards. You can then switch to using your left foot on the ground if you want to practice with both feet.
- Remember to always stay aware of your surroundings while trackstanding so that you don’t cause an accident!
With a little practice, anyone can learn how to trackstand like a pro! It might take some time to get used to balancing on two wheels, but it’s definitely doable with a little patience (and maybe a few scraped knees). Stay safe out there, and have fun!
The best way to learn trackstanding is practice. Before you start, you should have a look at this video clip to see how the primary position looks:
Basic trackstanding (20 seconds video clip)
If you think trackstanding is an incredible skill to master, take a look at these links:
Advanced tricks (3.59 min video clip)
Advanced tricks (3.14 min video clip)
