Skip to main content

Track stand tactics take top honours

Cyclists and vehicle drivers may have their differences on the road but they can, nonetheless, admire each other’s skills. The ability of an articulated truck driver to back up while threading his lengthy vehicle through a narrow passage is often admired by cyclists. Drivers, too, can admire the ability of a cyclist at a stop light to balance his bicycle while stationary, without taking his or her feet off the pedals, a feat called the track stand.
January 5, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
Cyclists and vehicle drivers may have their differences on the road but they can, nonetheless, admire each other’s skills.

The ability of an articulated truck driver to back up while threading his lengthy vehicle through a narrow passage is often admired by cyclists.

Drivers, too, can admire the ability of a cyclist at a stop light to balance his bicycle while stationary, without taking his or her feet off the pedals, a feat called the track stand.

But one Brazilian rider has taken the track stand to a higher level, as the video link below shows. The middle-aged man is no athlete and the bike is not a racing machine. Far from it, as it appears to be an inexpensive commuter machine. And the gas canister on his head is not lightweight.

To perform a track stand, a cyclist holds the pedal cranks in a nearly horizontal position with the front wheel being steered to the left or right as balance dictates. There is, in fact, often a slight forward and rear rocking motion to maintain balance.

For anyone interested in learning how to perform a track stand, the video below, presented by a seemingly professional rider somewhere ‘down under’, is a quick lesson in the art.

However, viewers of the video will notice the demonstration is taking place on a public road and that the cyclist is taking up one entire lane. In a nod in the direction of safety, he first of all says you want to find a quiet road so you don’t get run over. But then a vehicle then whooshes by him in the opposite lane, narrowly missing him. He is not apparently bothered by the incident.

Please %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 oLinkExternal click here Visit Youtube Video page false https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbeaB3G79vI false false%> to view a video

Related Content

  • Atlas dealers to add Effer cranes to their range
    April 15, 2013
    Crane dealers across the Atlas network will be able to add Effer cranes to the range of products they offer. Effer cranes will be sold, serviced and supported by Atlas dealers in different countries and particularly in Germany and the Middle East. The Atlas display at bauma features a new Atlas AK 955, built by Effer with Atlas colours and branding. Effer and Atlas began working together in the UK market in 2012. Success of the cooperation has led to its expansion worldwide. Atlas’s owner, Fil Filipov, said
  • Liebherr adds TA240 to ADT line-up
    January 6, 2017
    Liebherr has added a second model to its articulated hauler range with the TA240. The 40 tonne capacity truck has a 27m3 body and a 6x6 driveline. Power comes from a 16.2 litre Stage IIIB Liebherr V8 diesel engine delivering 350kW (476hp). This enables the truck to reach maximum speeds of up to 57km/h. A high performance retarder helps to bring the truck to a halt and can be preselected, with both the engine brake and the retarder working as soon as the driver lifts their foot from the throttle pedal. Wet,
  • Liebherr adds TA240 to ADT line-up
    February 8, 2013
    Liebherr has added a second model to its articulated hauler range with the TA240. The 40 tonne capacity truck has a 27m3 body and a 6x6 driveline. Power comes from a 16.2 litre Stage IIIB Liebherr V8 diesel engine delivering 350kW (476hp). This enables the truck to reach maximum speeds of up to 57km/h. A high performance retarder helps to bring the truck to a halt and can be preselected, with both the engine brake and the retarder working as soon as the driver lifts their foot from the throttle pedal. Wet,
  • BI Conseil shows INTERMAT 2012 how Swiss watches can save lives
    January 6, 2017
    BI Conseil is aiming for Swiss watches to become as standard as hard hats in preventing injury on site.