Conquering downhill fears

[coyote]

I've been pretty scared about going up hills because there is always a down side. I feel like I'm going down head first and everything in my self preserving body screams 'thats not safe'. My fear is so bad that I usually end up slowing the bike way down when descending. It does not help that when I first got the bike the brakes were bad. Its taking me a while to trust myself and to get the feel of the bike.

I decided I'd tackle my fear a little bit. I went up the long side of the hill, so I would not have the long descent. Turns out the ascent was not much....so doing it in reverse would not have been as big a deal as what my mind made it to be. But the downhill on the long ascent was short and sweet. I didn't pedal and I sat up as un-aerodynamically as possible and I did not hit the brakes once. I got up to 25 mph. I was pretty scared but exhilarated at the same time. There was a side wind that was rattling at my bike a bit. It was amazing, I felt like I was flying. Later on the same ride, I had a Zen moment on the bike. I was in perfect balance going the perfect speed...it felt like kind of like zero gravity. I didn't weight anything and the bike did not either, there were no bumps in the road.

I know I'll never be a speed demon but it felt really good to address my fear and to have such an amazing experience on the bike

[Starfish]

I know I'll never be a speed demon but it felt really good to address my fear and to have such an amazing experience on the bike

Hey, that's a big deal! Good for you! And, you never know...you might surprise yourself one day. No need to rush it.

[mimitabby]

You are moving in the right direction. there are a number of us here who are struggling with downhill anxieties and problems.

[coyote]

Thanks Star and Mimi,
I'm a big chicken, but maybe one day I will be suprised. In the meantime I'll just keep trying a little bit at a time. I wouldn't mind getting confident enough to casually go down a little slope (like the parking garage ramp at work. Gives me the hibbie gibbies just thinking about it ).

[Grog]

Downhill Demon speaking!

I LOVE downhilling - FAST - much to my partner and my in-laws' despair.

I know it might be more scary, but I think it's a lot safer to ride in the drops (if you have drop handlebars). That way you will have a much more stable hold on the bars, and better access to the brakes.

Take it one hill at a time, enjoy the process, but be very focused when you go down, the increased speed of course means that you have less time to react if something happens.

Good luck and enjoy!!

[Zen]

You are moving in the right direction. there are a number of us here who are struggling with downhill anxieties and problems.

*cough*cough*

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

A year ago I started biking. I was very scared of downhills. I went down them all s-l-o-w-l-y, braking all the way. I felt I should not go any faster than I felt safe going.
As the months went by, I rode faster, a little at a time. I just naturally gained confidence and gained bike handling skills.
Now I can zoom down most big hills in good control....hills that used to terrify me last year! I laugh at some of the "huge hills" I used to brake down all the way....they look like little teeny bumps now!

My point?- don't worry, downhill speed will come naturally as you get more skills on your bike. It will come all by itself. Don't go any faster than you feel safe at.

Remember, riding downhill while controlling your speed, braking, and balancing your weight is a valuable bike skill too!

[silver]

I'm somewhat slow on downhills. I had a wreck going downhill that left me with some anxiety.

I do much better when I know the hill. For instance, I know what happens at the end. if the road goes to the right or left. is there gravel on the road? Are there sidestreets or driveways? If I know the hill, I can go fast!!!! If not I need to take it easy. This is my comfort level. And I'm good with that!

[Torrilin]

Yay! Practice is the best thing for getting over a fear. And well, it's *smart* to be scared of going down hills. The trick is to be in control of the fear so it helps you be safe.

I love downhills, but there are several around here that have me scared slow. One features a blind T intersection and a stop sign at the bottom. Another features potholes and a sharp curve with washboard pavement and gravel. A lot of roadway engineers do a bad job with hills, so they're more dangerous than they need to be. And most drivers don't expect me to be moving as fast as I do downhill. Practice makes a big difference on the scary ones.

[teawoman]

I hear ya on this one. I've been riding my new road bike for about a month and a half, and I am sure I go faster on the uphills than the downhills!

I had problems with braking from the hoods at first--LBS tightened up the brakes and now it's much better. I'm starting to be brave and not brake on some shorter hills, but I'm still skeered on many of the steep ones. My bike club chuckles at me a bit for this because I crawwwwwl down the steep hills. They all know to go around me now.

[RoadRaven]

Lisa could be describing me - my hands used to ache before I reached the bottom of hills (only 300-500 metres sometimes) because I was holding the brakes the whole way down.

2 years later and I feel much more of a "downhill demon" like Grog... although my speeds of 20-30km round wide corners and 60+km down straight roads are still nothing like the speeds my partner and eldest sons reach...

Its time, practice and confidence in the steed you are riding.

And in windy or wet conditions I am WAAAAY slower.

Ultimately, its about your comfort level, and thats the speed you should do. And it is great to have a go at something and find you can do it. Well done on achieving something "amazing"

[amy]

YEP! Hills are scary to me, too. But I was very proud of myself tonight. It was the first time I took those "scary hills" after sunset, by myself. Except for all the bugs smacking me in the face, it was pretty great.

[AmyO]

Fellow amy/scaredy cat here....I've only been riding a "real" bike for a few months and don't have the miles yet to be totally comfortable, but having already had a relatively low speed crash and still feeling the effects a month later, I'm internally a wreck on the downhills. I'm glad to hear that experience and time in the saddle will help, because it is embarrassing!

Thanks to everyone on this forum for all of the great info. I've picked up some really valuable tidbits and links to other sites in the last month or so that I've been here!

[SouthernBelle]

I have gotten better on the downhills. The first time I take a big descent I am cautious. Checking out the line, road conditions, etc. But every time I take that hill thereafter, I get a little braver.

Familiarity breeds contempt.

[maillotpois]

Coyote -

A couple of suggestions:

1. Make sure your bike fit is correct. You'd be amazed at the effect of proper bike fit on your downhill riding stability.

2. Consider hiring a coach to ride with you and watch you descend. Working with a coach can be tremendously helpful - we can all give you tips here on weight, balance and form but that pales in comparison to having real time feedback from someone watching YOU descend.

3. As you know, keep your speed where you're comfortable. It'll get faster over time, but keep it in control.

Have fun!