down hill scardy pants

[hipmama]

Is anyone else afraid going downhill? I am. I get major anxiety when I get speeding down and find my arms burning from pumping brakes. I feel like I'm going to flip over or topple sideways or something is going to run out in front of me and flip me over.
What will help? I know I need more confidence, and that will come with time. I'm not worried really when I'm on the MTB, but the roadie tires...

[Zen]

No, you're the only one
see this
and
this

I am the (self-proclaimed) Queen of the Downhill Weenies

[Cataboo]

I am the (self-proclaimed) Queen of the Downhill Weenies

I will attest that her brakes honk all the way down hills

[sweetpotatopie]

I have the same problem. I am new to cycling and I get very nervous going downhill. I'm frantically scanning the ground and convinced I'm going to hit a pebble and go flying towards the ground.

I made myself go up and down one hill over and over again the other day. It seemed to help a LITTLE, as I didn't brake the whole time after a few . . . but I am still a worry-wart about it.

Any tips on how to overcome this fear?

[Cataboo]

I have the same problem. I am new to cycling and I get very nervous going downhill. I'm frantically scanning the ground and convinced I'm going to hit a pebble and go flying towards the ground.

I made myself go up and down one hill over and over again the other day. It seemed to help a LITTLE, as I didn't brake the whole time after a few . . . but I am still a worry-wart about it.

Any tips on how to overcome this fear?

I sort of base it on how curvy the road is, how well I know the road, and what's at the bottom of the road... I just let the bike go down hills that last year I rode my brakes all the way down... And I pedal down some hills that I know there's a big uphill at the end...

If the road is wet and at all curvy, I use my brakes going down the hill... If there's leaves or any chance that I'm going to skid out... I use my brakes. Before I go down curvy hills, I will usually pause and let any traffic behind me go ahead - because if I need to take a turn wide, I don't want to worry about cars in the way.

When you're riding - don't look at the ground directly in front of you - look a bit ahead, so that if there's something in the road you have time to react.

[Biciclista]

really, repetition is the only remedy I know.

[Photoflygirl]

I've only gone 22.something down a small hill...can't imagine going down a bigger/steeper one going close to 30! It sounds exhilirating, but terrifying at the same time.

[MartianDestiny]

My brakes all get a good solid workout! You are not alone. Confidence (miles) in my bike helps, as does repetition of the same hill (you know what's coming and begin to get more comfortable). I'll still never be a 50mph downhill person, and that's ok!

[HoosierGiant]

really, repetition is the only remedy I know.

+1!! That and plenty of miles so handling skills become second nature, leading to increased confidence. ('Cuz screaming down a hill at 40 mph is too much fun to miss out on, IMO!)

[smilingcat]

Are you looking directly in front of your wheel when you are going down? If so, maybe this is the reason why its so scary because you can't react to something on the road or the road itself when it comes into your field of view.

At 20MPH, I may be looking 100 feet in front. By the time, I'm going 40MPH downhill, I will be looking 300 feet or more ahead. Absolutely no reason to be looking right in front of your wheel! When you are riding on the flat, I don't think you are looking directly in front of your wheel. Chances are pretty good that you are looking way ahead 100 feet maybe 500 feet ahead.

If I were to go downhill at 40MPH and look at a spot directly in front of my wheel, I'll be a nervous wreck too.

At higher speed, you need to look further ahead and start reacting to the condition (pot holes, bumps, debris on the road) before you get to there.

Relax and try to enjoy the reward of climbing hills, that is going downhill .

[PamNY]

I'm very cautious going down even small hills. In fact, small hills are all I have to work with. No remedies to offer, but I don't think you are alone!

Pam

[Jiffer]

I LOVE to descend! It's my favorite and I'm really good at it. I do get a little freaked out sometimes at what could happen if I crashed, but I just try to ride as safely as possible and enjoy myself. I just set my Garmin to tell me my fastest speed. When I did Heartbreak Hundred, I got up to 47 at one point. Yikes! Pretty sure that was my fastest. Had no idea I had gotten that fast and never thought I'd feel comfortable doing that speed on anything other than the tandem with dh. Yet, I recall feeling fine and enjoying every moment of it (after the stupid climbing I had just done and knowing there was a lot more where that came from).

Stay in your own comfort zone, whatever's comfortable for you. If you feel uneasy, don't push yourself just to keep up with others or "get over your fear". Keep your speed down and eventually you may begin to feel more at ease. Read up on descending skills. That may give you some confidence.

[Crankin]

Zen, I ride with a group of very experienced riders who are mostly "older," like me. But, most of them live nearer to the city (flat) and are not used to climbing like I am. I always end up behind the leader, or at least in the front with the guys on the hilly rides. At least that makes me feel good, even though this group is a "smell the roses" group who never averages more than 15. But, quite a few of the guys in the group are really strong riders, who do incredible distances.
But, when some of those weak climbers pass me on the descents, I get pissed.

[Jiffer]

But, when some of those weak climbers pass me on the descents, I get pissed.

Then you'd be pissed at me!!! I'm guessing those weak climbers probably weigh more than you. I'm not a strong climber, but I make up for it on the descents and do pass a lot of people. I'm not overweight. I'm 5'9 and weigh about 145, while my shorter friends weigh 10 to 20 pounds less than me simply because of their height. I also have a higher gear than some people, so can pedal at higher speeds on a downhill ... and I take advantage of the downhills whenever I can to catch up and/or improve my over all time after the climb I just crawled up!

I'm trying to lose weight, mostly for the purpose of being able to climb better. I do wonder how much that might slow me down on the descents, but if it helps my climbing, it will be worth it to me.

Sorry people like me tick you off! Well ... not really.

[OakLeaf]

Losing weight won't hurt your descending.... remember Galileo and the Leaning Tower of Pisa? It's all about aerodynamics, and a few pounds aren't enough to really change the profile you present to the wind.

No matter how much weight you lose, all else being equal, your shorter friends will still descend quicker than you. Just because they're shorter.

And they're useless to draft behind, too. <cue Randy Newman's "Short People">

At 5'3", I can say it.