Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!decvax!microsof!uw-beaver!cornell!vax135!floyd!harpo!eagle!allegra!linus!genrad!wjh12!foxvax1!brunix!dkw From: dkw@brunix.UUCP Newsgroups: net.physics Subject: Re: A question of balance Message-ID: <3073@brunix.UUCP> Date: Wed, 25-May-83 15:18:23 EDT Article-I.D.: brunix.3073 Posted: Wed May 25 15:18:23 1983 Date-Received: Sat, 28-May-83 16:03:19 EDT Lines: 17 I'm afraid that I am not convinced that the gyroscopic effects are the only reason a bike stays upright. There are two arguments against this: 1. If it is a gyroscopic effect anyone should be able to stay on a bike and training wheels should be of no help to anyone trying to learn how to ride. I have seen beginners who have trouble with balance, so presumably there is some skill involved in balancing. 2. How do I manage not to fall when ice skating? My center of gravity is almost as high, the speeds involved are comparable and there is no gyroscopic effect. Skill at bicycling appears to carry over to skating ( at least the ability to balance when one starts), so it seems likely that similar affects are involved. David Wittenberg Brown University {decvax, yale-comix, cornell, ihnp4, vax135, allegra}!brunix!dkw dkw.brown@udel-relay (csnet)