terrified of hills

[iowagrad]

I forgot to add this to my last post, but it's another "any suggestions?" thing... I am absolutely terrified of hills. I actually don't mind the uphill climbs. I like that feeling of accomplishment when I get to the top. The problem is, when I get to the top, that means I have to go down. It's exhilarating for a bit, until I realize that I'm still gaining speed. My fear stems from a childhood spill involving me flipping over the handlebars going downhill in a cemetery (ironically, I have no fears of cemeteries) and from a collision I had last summer that involved some fractures. Other than counseling and medication, does anyone have any suggestions for helping me feel more in control and less fearful on downhills? Thanks!!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Use your brakes and don't go any faster than you feel safe going.

As you get more experience you can adjust your speed to match your confidence.

[KnottedYet]

Use your brakes and don't go any faster than you feel safe going.

As you get more experience you can adjust your speed to match your confidence.

+1
Just cuz it's a downhill doesn't mean you have to go full speed. There are a couple hills near me that I get off and walk down. (very steep hills ending abruptly at intersections) Read up on braking techniques, build up your confidence. Nothing wrong with slow!

[velogirl]

if you're riding a road bike, always descend in your drops. this will lower your center of gravity and put more weight on the front of the bike, making it more stable. riding in the drops also gives you stronger control of the brakes. if you have difficulty reaching the brakes from the drops, have them shimmed.

when you brake, move your weight back, behind your saddle (imagine placing your belly on the saddle). this will counter the over-the-front motion that you experienced in the cemetery..

one of the best exercises I use with new riders is to have them brake to an almost stop, then release the brakes (hands moving back down to the end of the drops) and let the speed gradually increase, then brake and repeat. try to maintain longer periods of time without braking. I've found if a rider knows she can stop at any time, the speed isn't quite as scary.

never brake during a turn. never.

learn to counter-steer. this will help with switchbacky descents.

find a coach or a clinic to help you learn the proper skills.

and try to smile -- it will relax you.

[northstar]

I'm the same way...worse even after crashing at the bottom of a hill. I did a race a while back and people were not happy with me on the downhills. It takes time. Once you feel more confident/experienced, you'll relax a bit!

[froglegs]

I have nothing to add. I just want to say that I struggle with this too. Some rides I feel confident enough to approach 30 mph, and other days I'm so timid that it's a mental struggle to allow myself to top 20. Overall I believe I'm making forward progress, and it will just take time.

I know I wasn't always so cautious.....I have memories from 7th grade of pedaling downhill as fast as possible, trying to hit 35mph before I had to turn onto my street, which was 100 feet before a busy intersection.......... sans helmet, in the rain.

[Grog]

The others are right: there's no obligation to go fast. But it's nice to have some fun, so hang in there!

Because you have flat bars on your Trek 7100, you have no drops, so that's not an option. In any case, move your weight to the back of your saddle towards your rear wheel, which will make it even less likely for your to go over the bars in the event of a somewhat sudden stop.

Keeping your pedals/feet level and your hips and knees somewhat open gives you more steering power.

Learn to use both brakes. If you never use your front brake, and don't know how it makes your bike react, there will be a day when you need to stop ASAP, then you'll jam the brakes and fly over to an unknown but painful destination. Try "feathering" the brakes. Practice in a parking lot. It's actually not so good to brake with just the rear brake, as it can make your rear wheel skid and cause you to loose control. Practice. Practice. Practice.

Finally, there's lots of threads about descending. I'm sure you'll find lots of useful info there!

Welcome and enjoy!

[Zen]

if I knew, I wouldn't be a hill weenie.
I like the climb, same as you.

[Brandi]

Ok I am stupid but what is a hill weenie?
I used to be scared of hill's too.....with the more I rode though the more i got used to it. And i just made my way down slowly. Now I get mad if I have to go to slow. I feel it is my reward for going up the hill.
My ride takes me on a road that goes through winding farm land. The hills are long with a maybe a 10% grade. Not to bad. It just takes a while to get up them. The curves are what you have to be careful of.

[OakLeaf]

Look well ahead of you to where you're going next, through the turns if any, not down at the ground. Try bringing your visual focus up 10 degrees from what you're used to. Practice "seeing with your whole eyes," i.e., being aware of everything in your field of vision. Do this all the time and you'll be a much safer rider (and driver!), and probably more confident at speed.

[jusdooit]

Thanks Velo for the info and pics. Went for a short ride this afternoon and tried this technique on a "gentle" downhill turn. I had been pedaling through because I like speed, but handling the turn as you described I was able to maintain speed (21.5 mph) and it was fun!!!!! I will continue to practice so I can handle tighter turns in the future.

[Geonz]

Thanks Velo for the info and pics. Went for a short ride this afternoon and tried this technique on a "gentle" downhill turn. I had been pedaling through because I like speed, but handling the turn as you described I was able to maintain speed (21.5 mph) and it was fun!!!!! I will continue to practice so I can handle tighter turns in the future.

Whew!!! I am trying to think of a turn I've ever taken that fast (Have I mentioned how flat it is here?) You Go GIrl!!!!

[MyLitespeed]

Well it sounds like just about everyone rides a road bike, I don't. My bike is a cross bike of sorts, touring frame and mountain bike handle bars. I can get really terrified of steep straight down hills too and even did some hypnosis to try and cure it. I had some success with that. The fastest I have ever gone downhill is 28 mph. That's probably really slow for most of you and I will only get up to 25 mph most of the time on hills I know well. Any suggestions for me since I like to remain more upright in my decents.

[smilingcat]

Its not a race so go down at speed you feel comfortable. Now some of us are adrenaline junkie so we push it.

If you are scared by the speed, your ride isn't enjoyable. So slow down. Going down slow does not mean you are a less experienced rider or less fit. It may actually be that you are more prudent then the others. Adrenaline junkies are not prudent. I have shattered both collar bones to prove I wasn't prudent. enjoy your downhill ride at speed you feel comfortable.

smilingcat

[Zen]

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You.