How Do I Choose the Best Racing Line When Cycling Through a Series of Corners?

Question

I'm currently working on my descent and working on how to take the optimum racing lines while turning. What would be the best plan for a set of corners?

Answer 1

Often, finding the fastest racing line through a corner includes a trade off or compromise with the next corner. Think of things like the turning angle of each corner, the cross slope of the road or the obstacles present in the surroundings. Practice linking curved turns in a corkscrew formation and adjust your turning angle in accordance with the sight lines and the road. You have to keep in mind that the majority of the cases the fastest line would not be the same if you were not part of a group.

Comments

riding for 30+ years and not figuring out what line to take through a corner on your own? I really don't mean any offense but how many times per year did you go for a ride within those 3 decades? what's explained in the content really is the most 101 basic stuff that everyone should have down after 10-20 rides, especially if they are done on the same route. I was looking for an explanation on bodyposition in corners (leaning, counterleaning, neutral) and what benefits and drawbacks these different styles of riding would get you. would be nice to know if you can offer additional info or learned something about that topic from these "skill coaches". did I miss something in the content or is the thumbnail just misleading?

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Instead of, or in addition to, why not observe MotoGP for their body position on the bike? Lots of leaning the bike but staying over top of the centre of gravity of the bike.

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Look at motoGP and countersteering.   It will help you increase your lean with practice.

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But Pidcock does something eles that allows him to descend with extra speed: watch his upper body. He leans the other direction to reduce the pressure/physical force on the tire.

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Well presented, however, a few flaws in the science.
I suggest researching “early apex” as that is the safest and usually fastest line selection outside of a purpose built racetrack as it delivers the exit closer to the inside of the turn, leaving more options.
Keep in mind that the apex is in the line, not the corner, so you move it where you need it. The confusing bit comes from multi apex terminology- a double apex turn can often only have a single  apex in the line, but it sums the situation best so that is the term.
And just to point an obvious piece of the gilbert vid, the motorcycle was actually on the correct line, at the apex, when  you stopped motion.
Source: former motorcycle roadracer, car racer, shifter cart racer, cyclist.
Again, well presented! (but follow up with one explaining late apex)