Conquering downhill fears

[Starfish]

I haven't read all replies, so don't know if anyone mentioned this yet...but:

The quality of the roads you have to practice on can make a difference. My biggest local descent is down a mountain, and the road often has gravel patches, and there are large areas of pavement patches. There also tend to be a lot of tourists looking at the view more than the road.

Earlier this summer I went to to a ride with wonderful descents. Barely any traffic. Smooth pavement. Zero gravel. It was so much easier to really feel and flow with the curves...to integrate what I know I'm supposed to do on descents with what I'm feeling on the descents.

I felt some skills sort of click in that I had been trying to practice at home, but was not really able to truly focus on and get into my body, if that makes sense.

[Zen]

You get it, Starfish.
Knowing what to expect is a big factor. And a smooth road is everybody's friend

[Starfish]

You get it, Starfish.
Knowing what to expect is a big factor. And a smooth road is everybody's friend

Yeah, for me it is both technical and psychological. Same with learning to ride horses, or swim, or kayak, or whatever (for me). I like to get the principles and technical knowledge into my head. Then I like to practice small parts of the maneuvers under manageable situations to help get the movements into my synapses & muscle memory, as well as to build my psychological confidence...focusing on one skill at a time. Then, there seems to come a breakthrough time, usually good circumstances with few distractions, etc, when it all comes together, and then my confidence goes up in a big step.

Then, I want to learn more about improving with the next set of skills, and it starts all over!