A little damp in chicago tonight but 50!

[anoopb]

I went out anyway. a week long trip and i just got back to a very pleasant evening.

In retrospect, I shouldn't have gone because on the way home I damn near bit it when stopping abruptly and the rear tire skidded. It screeched even. Fortunately, maneuvered to a dry patch and things were ok.

what's the proper reaction in a skid anyway? i was wondering if i should let go of the brakes and maybe the bike will realign?

Who else went out tonight?  god i miss  riding.

[weedahoe]

If the front locks, let go and reapply. If the rear locks, if you let go you can high side. Sometimes its best to ride it out if the rear locks and low side rather than be thrown from the bike

[BockinBboy]

Ride out the rear brake if rear locks. Think of when you rode a bicycle and you locked the rear if it helps you visualize. 
Best case the rear swings to the side or side to side if you steer the front and continue to slide.
If you dont steer the front successfully while you remain on the brake, you'll go down on its side worst case. (Low side)

Now, if you let off the brake when your rear is locked and then regain rear traction...
Best case is the front and rear tires stay aligned at the time you regain traction, and you'll go in the direction they are aligned... Very lucky if its the same direction you started.
Worst case is you regain traction while you are steering the front a different direction than you started. Countersteering all of the sudden works again because you are at speed with both wheels turning, and your handlebars are turned INTO the direction of the turn, and over the other side of the bike you go. (High side)

Highsides are way more dangerous than low sides, so ride it out if the rear locks.

- Bboy

[iclrag]

first let me say, i wish i could ride right now, its 4 degrees outside!!!!

as for riding out / regaining control of the bike on a rear tire skid, its all about experience. Sometimes its better to ride it out sometimes its better to let go and start braking again, if you are confident enough to know you wont high-side the bike then by all means attempt to re-gain traction, however, if you are un-sure then i would just slide it out and keep yourself from dropping the bike.

[anoopb]

I know I didn't let go of the brakes (both) and I steered over to a dry patch of the road where i was able to stop without any issues.

That was fortunate but I began to think about how I reacted and if it was correct. I'm just glad everything worked out.

I'm not sure what this high side and low side business is. I'm googling.

[anoopb]

this video was pretty useful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jU-iu7-TAY

[jestercinti]

Let's say you are turning right.  Leaning into the turn, you lean right.

The low side is the right-hand side since you are leaning right.  Between you and the ground is low.
The high side is the left-hand side.  Between you and the ground is higher than the right-hand side. 

Make sense?