Track standing is definitely not something that comes naturally to anyone and takes practice. Some people get it quite quickly and are confident to use the skill in all conditions. Some people never get it.

Today I went to Queens Park to conquer my fear of 'clipped in track standing'. Until today I was able to 'do it', just not in a real-life situation whilst clipped in to my pedals. I actually found it easier to do with my feat locked in a specific position. One of the major variables with track standing on flat pedals for me was where my feet were on the pedals.

So there are three categories here:

Track stand Master:

Can Track stand but not well enough to do it regularly:
1. rusty (but as of today I'll be track-standing more often in traffic)

Can't Track stand:

As long as you like with my good foot forward, one hand and almost as solid no hands. Bit shakier on the other foot though, need to practise on it more.

I began to get competent within a couple of weeks of practising slow circles.

Can, but i think my longest was about a minute or so...

I freak it when I'm clipless, clips and straps I'm more comfortable with.

Yup. I am at one with my machine.

Graeme_B:I've only managed out on my fixie last Saturday. Though I'm sure with a bit of practice it won't be hard. tried some very very slow riding and think this will be tomorrows evening, spent in Glasgow green trying them

That's the first step. Riding very slowly in a circle.

i can trackstand when practicing but havent got the confidence to do it on the roads yet.

its definately something i need to practice!

anyone got any tips except.. practice more

Track stand Master:

Can Track stand but not well enough to do it regularly:
1. rusty (but as of today I'll be track-standing more often in traffic)
2. Johnny Crash (I have terrible balance - too many bangs on the head.)

Can't Track stand:

krakow:I'd like to practice deliberately falling over without freaking out and injuring myself as well.

That's what I did last night in Queens Park. The grass is pretty weird to do it on because your wheels get stuck in the ruts you make.

ithinkitsnice:

It's easier to trackstand on on smooth surface though, and for all the times I lost it when learning I never actually hit myself off the ground.

Yeah, I realised this after about two seconds on the grass. I quickly moved to the tarmac. There's something very zen about an evening spent track standing in a quiet area of a park.

euan:Start off in a door way. if you fall you can catch yourself with your shoulders. When you feel brave move out into your hall.

I did that when I was starting out. Bad idea. I think it's best to have nothing around you.

I have a drive with a slight incline and that's good to practice on once you move from the hall.

years ago i was standing beside a proper roady at a set of lights in Milgavie.. he was trackstanding i was just leaning on a barrier beside the lights on my mtb... he fell over, i actually havent laughed so hard at someone falling over for years. Even the rider was laughing.

its a weird sort of crash, because your clipped in.. not moving forwards you just sorta.. fall sideways and there is fuck all you can do about it

trailstar:years ago i was standing beside a proper roady at a set of lights in Milgavie.. he was trackstanding i was just leaning on a barrier beside the lights on my mtb... he fell over, i actually havent laughed so hard at someone falling over for years. Even the rider was laughing.

its a weird sort of crash, because your clipped in.. not moving forwards you just sorta.. fall sideways and there is fuck all you can do about it

plurabelle had that same kinda fall on sat (sorry) and rabsda had a belter of one like that going into the car park they play polo in. i told him to duck twice as his mallet was gonna hit the sign saying he was too tall. he never listened.....although i never laughed outloud i did in my head. it is bizarre kind of fall almost in slow motion.

euan:

Any sort of fall on the bike I find it is best to stay with the bike.

It's quite comical seeing someone trying to ditch the bike mid-fall.

Fucking groin strains. I've still got mine though it is substantially better than it was. Its going to be one of those reoccurring injuries I think.

trailstar:touch wood i've not had a fall on my fixed gear yet.

come fucking close though, but usually from car doors opening etc.

think i'll try some trackstanding tonight. So no doubt i will report back with cuts and bruises.

come out to fixed beer instead. big slope at about 6ish?

I find this quite difficult to orchestrate at the lights.

I was thinking more about the top half.

Nae slack chain comments?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcEF2GyBR_Q

Where is that video video of the guys trackstanding on a tandem when you need it?

Would normally say 'master' but have realised no-handies are all about the headset. The old ones sort of hold the wheel at the 45degree angle but more modern ones collapse in on themselves crucial point. Fucking infuriating. Has anyone else found this?

My current bikes only have the latter leaving me well annoyed for it was one of my few 'skills' and as I cannae get 'through the bars' for a ninja skid due to my unneccesarily long legs a huge depression is upon me!

I learned on a tiny gear (42x18) which made doing it on a normal gear a skoosh as the pedals are much less sensitive.

Am I the only person who just puts their feet down when they lose balance trackstanding? I don't think I've ever lost balance so catastrophically that I wasn't able to get a foot down. For some reason I've never really had a problem with trackstands, can't say I've ever really tried to do backwards circles or had much case to trackstand left foot forward but if I'm bored at the lights now.... well who knows.

i find it best to focus on a point on the ground straight ahead , i can trackstand for a good wee while , i can do half circles and straight lines backwards , just havent mastered cycling in circles in reverse for hours at a time .
i use left foot forward to balance too.