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LLB, someday you're going to appreciate the extra speed that weight gives you when you fly past skinny people on the downhills. It doesn't even have to be a big downhill-_and_ you keep that momentum going longer on the way back up a roller!
Speed- for me, 30 seems reasonable. I feel in control at that speed. I've recently gone my fastest speed ever- 41.something, and it was exhilarating, but nerve-wracking. I felt in control, still, but felt like my reaction time cushion was greatly reduced, so I had to be extra extra extra vigilant. But it was wonderful.
Kelownagirl- I'm terrified of falling, too. Not so much tipping over, but a real crash/fall. Hopefully, it will happen so fast and be over so fast I won't have time to worry. Tipping over from not being unclipped hurts your dignity, but that's about all. It _almost_ happened to me last Saturday when I was looking behind, looking behind, wanting to turn left, waiting for a stream of traffic to pass, finally decided I'd have to get off the road onto the dirt shoulder and wait, but I was going so slowly at that point that I _almost_ couldn't unclip. It was a miracle I got my foot out. But- you shouldn't be afraid- all you have to do is plan ahead a little and unclip and then coast nicely to a stop all ready to put your foot down. I learned on a mountain bike, so I had softer landings. Better than on the road. Plus, on the MTB, you crash all the time, anyway, so you don't have that extreme fear of falling- it's more natural.
Nanci
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It sounds like you're selectively scared (and you'd probably just used up your "stay focused and don't panic" nerve on the first 45 close encoiunters with speed, hills and traffic that day). If descents are your weakness, go with it and when they happen, tell people that you're going to the back... when I did TOMRV I made my name tag say "ICORNERSLOWLY" (I was grateful to have enough characters to use teh adverb!). I loved it 'cause people gave me room and said all kinds of encouraging things, and they pretty much didn't seem surprised that I descended relatively slowly, too. THey might have thought there was a whole drama... no... I *know* I can get into that freak-out lock-up mode and then it's crash time.
THe really good news for me was that last year, *twice,* things happened that should have put me over the line, and - angels didn't sing and trumpets didn't sound, but my BODY just did the right thing and corrected and righted things instead of simply preparing for the crash, when there wasn't any time to think about it and it wasn't a move I had learned or rehearse. So... there IS hope! However, I am pretty sure the reason that could happen was because I took care *not* to set up situations where I was at risk for panic mode... maybe some people should just trust themselves to do the right thing, but experience has taught me otherwise with this body-brain conglomerate; panic can feed on itself.
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Well, I've been riding for 5 years and I haven't gone over 32 mph. Cornering freaks me out, I feel like I have no control and my bike is moving out into the road where it shouldn't be. Straight downhills are fine; but there aren't too many of those around here. I know all the right things to do, I just can't seem to do them. This year I no longer seem to have a death grip on the brakes, and I'm getting better at feathering. But once the fear sets in, it's there. I don't care if my husband is going 45 downhill, he will wait! Besides, a lot of those people who pass me on the downhill cannot keep up with me on the climbs.
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Sorry to hear about your spill. Taking that many spills over the past year, has to be tough.
I am sure you will do better in the future with more practice.
I will say that going FAST downhills is VERY scary to me. Especially if there is a turn at the bottom of the hill, or I don't know the road. Everyone passes me on descents, because I am using my brakes the whole time. Then, I pass them all when we go up the next hill.
Just ride your ride though and do what you feel comfortable doing. Remember, we aren't getting paid to race... this is for fun... so do what is fun.
*Soft hugs*
PS- Read my signature line. I think it fits here.
