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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!ucbvax!dual!joe
From: joe@dual.UUCP (Joe Weinstein)
Newsgroups: net.cycle
Subject: Re: Drag your knee lately?
Message-ID: <1233@dual.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 15-Apr-86 13:00:44 EST
Article-I.D.: dual.1233
Posted: Tue Apr 15 13:00:44 1986
Date-Received: Thu, 17-Apr-86 01:32:52 EST
References: <1267@ihlpa.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: Dual Systems Corp. Berkeley, Ca.
Lines: 25
Summary: Knee dragging is fun in the right circumstances.

Turning techniques all involve awareness of traction and smooth weight
transfer during transitions. 

Yes, brakes are for braking. Furthermore, the more you brake, the
less you want to brake with the rear wheel. Just keep the engine
in the gear and at the speed to smoothly apply power when you get
to the start of the exit portion of the curve.

Hanging off is fun and it works, but don't overdo it. Make sure that
all weight transfers are smooth and that you maintain body contact
throughout the movement, so that you still know what is happening to
the bike. Knee dragging is just a minor extension of hanging off. The
wind resistance of the extended body and leg is also useful at high speed.
Dragging the knee is like a curb-feeler. It lets you guage your tire
traction because you know exactly where the road is.

Don't think of knee dragging as a goal! I've seen squids screw themselves
badly with a "screen-door-in-a-storm" style on residential streets,
trying so hard to scuff their new trick knee pad. Knee stuff is best
in LOOONG fast sweepers, where there's enough time spent in the curve
to justify the effort of hauling your body all the way off the side of
the bike and hanging ten, so to speak. Needless to say, this is very
rare in the street. I suggest locating a race-riders school at a track
near you.
		Joe Weinstein.