Downhill help! Yikes!

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!

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

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

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.....

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Originally Posted by alpinerabbit

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

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

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.

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...

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...ghlight=curves

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...ghlight=curves

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

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.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by alpinerabbit

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...ghlight=curves

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...ghlight=curves

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

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Thanks :)

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"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..

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.

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

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.