I agree with Donald's first assesssment .
Please add a balance problem, and maybe a bike that handles very squirrely.
Self confidence and fear factor have a major impact, also.
The lady needs some serious help, too bad she's not out here.
Ted Ernst
Palos Verdes Estates
CA USA
>I think it's driven by either inexperience, poor fit, or inability to
> spin in circles. Unless she only races in crits, how does she eat in a
> race? Take off a jacket? These things can be done one handed, but
> IMHO, that is more dangerous that with both hands off the bars.
>
> Doland Cheung
> SoCal
>
> --------------------
> Kenneth Freeman wrote:
>
> I have a friend in one of the LBS, who races CX and road events locally,
> in her mid-20s (half my age!). While talking about getting some OT
> handlebars and how I'm not going to friction shift this bike, she said
> she can't imagine riding without both hands on the bars, and that there
> is instability if she takes one off for much other than drinking water.
> This seems new! My more classic frames, 1980 Masi and 1982 or so
> Mondonico, can easily be controlled and ridden with one hand, and I have
> nowhere near her skill and fitness level.
>
> She feels she needs this constant positive control in the peleton, but
> won't have it if she releases a hand.
>
> This change in riding style may be driven by different geometry, in turn
> driven by not needing to let go of the 'bars. I assume she rides a (ot)
> Specialized Tarmac or something, maybe an Orbea.