Posture
Howdy GCC bikers!
This article is about posture and energy efficiency. Some of y’all may have seen the videos that we made a few years ago that show good posture/bad posture (look under Rides - Advice - Coach K Tips on the main web site). Good posture is not just about riding with a fairly straight torso; it is about core stability and providing a base from which to generate power. And yes, somehow this will all tie in with last month’s e-letter on Spinal Stability and the Bunkie Test.
Let’s look at the 2 drawings
basic good posture on bike. (rarely seen)
Bike rider with good posture. Vectors going from:
1. Arms to torso
2. Torso connecting arms/ bike frame to pelvis, AKA –muscle base for legs
When you are able to stabilize your torso/spine and ride with good posture, you have a much better chance of creating a solid foundation base from which to generate leg power. We all know how much more speed we can create riding while holding handle bars compared to riding no hands. Apply that same concept to riding with solid connection between arms/ bike frame and pelvis/legs. When you ride with that slumped posture you are decreasing the amount of connection from arms/bike frame to legs. And many cyclists make the mistake of gripping harder (wasting more energy) in an effort to pedal harder/faster. A proper connection helps to stabilize your pelvis, so that your leg muscles have a solid base to use for generating power/speed. Less connection means less ability to generate power which means you ride SLOWER. And if that isn’t bad enough, that slumped riding will also damage your neck and low back and rotator cuff muscles(but that is another article).
Now that you have the point, you should start asking-“How do I build proper riding posture”?
Good Question!!
Simple Answer- Build your Core/spinal stabilizers, improve your postural awareness so you can tell “by feel” when you are riding hunched over or correct.