Downhill help! Yikes!

[extra-vert]

Ok:eek:, I have actually been bicycling all my life and I didn't always have this fear. In fact in high school I used to love to take this hill in Pasadena and ride down it no -handed, then make the turn at the bottom - still no handed! It was great fun and I couldn't get enough of it. Now I ride in San Francisco of all places, I'll go on rides and find that I do nothing but rides the breaks on entire downhills practically! Why, all of a sudden am I such a wimp about it? And let me preface this by saying that I also rollerblade and yes I take those downhills as they go. Any ideas on building up a little confidence? I was reading a thread, ( i think posted by aggie ama from Huston) where she mentions a crazy uphill up Jester, and crazy downhill descents of 42.6 mph! The whole time I thought - ya, give me the uphill challenge any day of the week, but then the descent - that's what makes my body hurt the most the next day for the way I tensed up and road the brakes the entire way! I'm such a wimp!

[alpinerabbit]

There are a couple threads on descent and technique on this forum. builds cofidence.

[mimitabby]

with age comes fear. You have to fight it every step of the way (well, some fear is good of course!)

[Chicken Little]

Ahhh, to be young again and not realize that you could actually end up in wheel chair with all your bones broken! I feel it, too. I have to concentrate on the fact that I might not crash.....

[Flur]

There are a couple threads on descent and technique on this forum. builds cofidence.

I did a few searches and couldn't find these. Can you please point me in the right direction? Thanks :)

[beccaB]

I used to not be afraid also, but I'm 46 now and have fallen a few times because of not getting out of the pedals fast enough at a stop. I now have stop sign phobia. Really. It doesn't stop me from riding, but it sure does make me feel nervous. That's why I was so impressed with that guy in Lansing who didn't take his feet out of the pedals at a stop, but just balanced on them.

[VeloVT]

Becca,
You will get over your stop-sign phobia. I don't know how long you've been riding or how long you've been riding clipless, but I'm guessing the pedals are new this year? It just takes time and repetition.

I had a few falls when I first got my pedals and for a month or two I was very nervous in them. It took me probably 3 months of regular riding to really feel completely comfortable and confident that I could get out quickly when necessary.

After two years of riding, I recently took a mountain bike clinic (my first time ever on a mountain bike) and decided to use clipless pedals. I had to bail multiple times (turns out I'm clutzy on a mountain bike :D!) and each time I got out of the pedals with no problems and no anxiety.

Extra-vert,
practice, practice, practice! pick a hill you know well and ride it often. Once you feel comfortable, start pushing yourself just a tiny little bit beyond your comfort zone each time, in a controlled way. Remember you can always pull it back...

[alpinerabbit]

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=22805&highlight=curves

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=20757&highlight=curves

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=18648

[beccaB]

Actually, I've been using the clipless sytem for about 2 years. I think I got complacent. One time a dog was chasing me and I got distracted. That was a pretty bad fall. I felt like I had been in a car accident. What was ridiculous was that it was a really small dog. I haven't had any falls this season, but a few times my foot didn't want to come out. The pedals are adjusted pretty loose. I think I get some dirt in the cleat part, or my toes are going numb and I can't feel if I'm getting out correctly. My husband says I don't use the pedals efficiently. It's kind of a new motion for me.

[Flur]

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=22805&highlight=curves

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=20757&highlight=curves

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=18648

Thanks :)

[extra-vert]

"Extra-vert,
practice, practice, practice! pick a hill you know well and ride it often. Once you feel comfortable, start pushing yourself just a tiny little bit beyond your comfort zone each time, in a controlled way. Remember you can always pull it back...

I know my fear is laughable when my brother loves to mention how crazy I can be on rollerblades down a paved road one day, and then a complete baby on my snowboard on the snow the next. Or as he puts it, "let's see...snow, pavement, snow, pavement...hummm."

But on the roadbike, I really need to work on the down hill fear, and fast, so I shall practice the same hill for a while, as you recommend.:D

[mimitabby]

I have a downhill fear too. I can still remember the first time i didn't slow myself down going down a particular gentle (6%) grade with no intersections. it felt SO COOL.