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

  • Bell launches high-manoeuvrability 4x4 ADT for narrow bench work
    April 15, 2013
    Bell has introduced a 4x4 version of its B30D articulated dump truck (ADT). The machine has the front chassis, cab and engine of the standard 6x6 but comes with a shortened rear chassis and a single axle. According to Neville Paynter, managing director of Bell UK, the machine’s short wheelbase reduces the turning circle by around 25%, making it ideal for use in underground mining and on narrow benches.
  • BLS Enterprises is offering new milling machine trackpads
    January 6, 2017
    Component specialist BLS Enterprises is offering a durable replacement track pad for use on Wirtgen milling machines. President Barry Stoughton said, “We have a direct replacement for the EPS system.” He said that this two part pad system allows the pad to bolt directly onto the track. Long life and durability are claimed, as well as ease of replacement.
  • BLS Enterprises is offering new milling machine trackpads
    April 11, 2013
    Component specialist BLS Enterprises is offering a durable replacement track pad for use on Wirtgen milling machines. President Barry Stoughton said, “We have a direct replacement for the EPS system.” He said that this two part pad system allows the pad to bolt directly onto the track. Long life and durability are claimed, as well as ease of replacement.
  • Lombardini boosts KDi engine output towards 100kW
    January 6, 2017
    Lombardini is moving ever closer to offering a 100kW engine as part of its strategy to grow the Kohler KDi series above the 56kW maximum output that currently sits at the top of its range. “We have developed a 3.4litre, four-cylinder engine that will take us to 100kW,” said Lombardini’s marketing and communications manager Nino De Giglio. “The engine is currently being tested and will go into production towards the end of 2014.” De Giglio said the arrival of the new 100kW engine, with its 480Nm of torque, c