Originally Posted by
GazzaH
One way of riding up and around a U bend is to put yourself in the right gear for the bend well before you get there. If that means 1st or 2nd gear, you'll be screaming along at normal speeds before the bend ... so slow down. Approach the bend slower and try to maintain a steady slow speed around the bend.
Turn around, nip back down, and try it again. And again. And again, leaving the 'changing down to the correct gear' a bit later each time as you build confidence.
I don't always get it right and sometimes find myself needing to change gear on an unfamiliar corner, or when something happens - not ideal but I've been riding for long enough not to worry about it ... except learning to anticipate better next time.
Head up! Look where you're going! Think further ahead!
Last resort, stop and do a hillstart. That's something you can easily and safely practice somewhere off the beaten track - plenty of quiet hilly side roads in Welly. Pick a gentle slope at first, then progress to the steeper ones as your confidence increases.
By the way, downhill starts are worth practicing too. Launching at warp 10 is easy, fun even. Taking off firmly but gently due to hazards and bends ahead is not quite so easy. Maintaining balance and control at any speed is the issue.
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