Hi Bob, Re: crossed up arms.....
In that photo I posted earlier, you can just see my orange glove on the wheel. That's my RIGHT HAND and my forearms are crossed.
On a rare occasion I'll release my left hand in a hard left corner and grab an extra handful of the wheel, but I can only think of a couple of hairpins where I've had to do that.
Re: hands and thumbs.........
I usually keep my thumbs on the cross bars or on the wheel to "feel" anything I can in the way of feedback.
When my arms are crossed over as discussed in a left turn, my left thumb usually ends up hooked over the wheel's cross bar.
Funny you mentioned that!
Best regards, TV
Port Washington, WI 53074