Learn to track stand

I did it for the first time yesterday and it was AWESOME. Seems lame maybe but it is actually a pretty huge endorphine rush because you get scared of falling off. I held it for a minute a few different time. Today I can’t wait to go out and practice some more.

I’m trying
The pointers everyone has been giving have helped. The one I find most helpful is to not look at your front wheel. Just keep looking ahead.

Here’s a guide that seems great: http://www.teamestrogen.com/articles/asa_trackstand.asp

I started yesterday after work while going home. First here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sleepyclaus/154654650/. Looked like in the photo since it was already half past nine in the evening.
When I got tired, I rode home (15 minutes or so) and did some more practicing in a parking lot near my place.

Going in small circles is fun. You get tipsy after a minute or two.

Only problem that my feet got pretty cold. (I was out for more than an hour, compared to the usual 20 minutes.) I should put on extra socks for practice.

About buying a new bike. it was a fixie, which apparently are easier to track stand on then your traditional geared bike.
Maybe it’s a sign.

I learned quickest on a slight up-hill driveway, it helps you lock in that sweet spot a little quicker because you are hyper-aware of you center of gravity. Start with your weight centered between your fork and crank….handlebars turned slightly uphill, rock back and forth a little and you’ll feel the spot. Good Luck. Don’t be afraid to fall. Its fun.

I’ve noticed lots of smart safety warnings here and some good recommendations on where to practice, but 0 technical explanation of how to do it.

I do this while riding thru Seattle and when I used to commute to work.

The basic concept is: while stopped, stand up and angle your front wheel about 15-30 degrees, use alternating (sometimes simultaneous) force between your pedals and your brakes. Also (obviously) use your body and front wheel to help balance.

The basic trick is: Don’t try to do this with the front wheel straight ahead. Angling the front wheel a few degrees gives you that little extra help you need.

Be safe. Wear a helmet. Don’t do dumb stuff. UNCLIP instead of falling.

- DaveFer

I’m useless at getting my feet into my toe-clips, let alone into my clipless pedals, so the ability to track stand would be a real godsend.

It looks so cool, too, and I long to speed off the lights hassle-free.

It took me about 2 months to complete my trackstanding skills. I went from the regular stand, to one-handed, then no handed, and finally trackstanding while juggling. I’m done! Onto a backwards circle!

Commuting, racing, just touring…I find I track stand on just about every ride. The way I learned? Played a game with myself: On my shorter rides I told myself I will not unclip until I get back home. Then, every stop light, stop sign, etc. was a opportunity to get it done.

Best of luck!