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Turn the Corner
Practice these skills, and you'll be riding through bends quickly and easily.
ByAlex Stieda
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As a pro cyclist, I worked to improve my cornering skills. During a stage of the Tour of Britain, I remembered there was a turn 400 meters before the line. I attacked early, railed the corner and opened a gap. I raised my arms in victory at the finish, only to be told that this gesture was against the rules. I was relegated to last in the break, but relished the fact that my strategy had worked.


Once you feel the power and control of a properly carved turn, there is nothing better. It takes practice, so be patient. Find an empty parking lot and mark off a corner with water bottles or cones. Here are some techniques that helped me.


1. Mind The Terrain Look for and avoid sand, rocks or cracks that could cause you to slip. After you know what the riding conditions are in a particular corner, you can slowly increase your speed each time.


2. Apply Pressure Do all your braking before the turn. Weight distribution is critical: To keep from sliding out, weight the front wheel by putting your hands in the drops of the handlebar with your elbows bent. Next, exert pressure with your outside hand and foot, creating angulation like you would in a ski turn. Don't try to pedal in a corner.


3. Lean The Machine Release the brakes and start the turn by leaning the bike—not your body—into the turn. This can be accomplished by pushing lightly with your inside hand; some call this counter-steering. If the turn is tight or your speed increases, lean the bike farther in, and vice versa.


4. Aim For The Inside Carve a smooth arc through the apex of the turn: Start at the outside of the corner, near the center line. Aim toward the inside of the turn, then exit as far to the outside as possible. Do not cross the double yellow line.


5. Keep Looking... in the direction you want to go. This will help you maintain a smooth line.


6. Make Your Exit As you come out of the turn, gradually straighten the bike until it's upright, then start to pedal again.


7. Mind The Rain Painted lines, manhole covers and oily pavement become slippery in wet conditions. Wet roads exaggerate everything you do: Braking while the bike is leaning will cause you to skid more easily, and sudden turning can make your wheels slip. So slow down.


For information on Alex Stieda's skills DVD, visit

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Thanks for sharing these tips. Cornering is a skill that takes time to master and requires practice. By following the advice in this article you can be sure that your cornering will improve. As a triathlon coach, cornering skills are essential and can make a huge difference in how fast you can get through your bike leg. I look forward to reading more articles like this one.