terrified of hills

[Tokie]

Hey Knot, is it safe to run over full water bottles? One popped out in front of my friend on a fast double paceline group ride and she managed to avoid it. If the bottle was full is there a chance it would make you crash? Does it make a difference if you are lightweight(?less mass to smoosh the full bottle?) Is this a hijack of a thread hijack? I really do want to know if it's dangerous to ride over a water bottle. Thanks! Carol

[Trek420]

I've never ridden paceline I'd think you'd have to make an executive decision whether a sudden movement could disrupt the group or go for the kamikaze chipmunk I mean water bottle with fake fur on it.

On Alameda Creek Trail chipmunks hide and wait then dash towards your wheels. Maybe it's a coming of age rite of passage for them? "My son, you are now a grown male chipmunk, you must dash at bike wheels". Or maybe they egg each other on "I double dare you, 'cmon, she's old and slow"

I've ridden over water bottles. The traditional squooshy plastic ones harmlessly squish. Anyone want to try the new hard plastic ones? Or the safe metal ones?

You go first

[smilingcat]

bad form to drop a water bottle in a pace line but if it does happen, run over it or atleast try hop over it. But never swerve. cause if do, it could cause multiple crashes. I think the lids always pop and water squishes out.

I've dropped my own water bottle and I've ran over it too. Bad form on my part. The lid popped and water squished. And I was out of a water bottle.

smilingcat

[teigyr]

My worst crash ever was to try to grab a water bottle in mid-air as it was falling to the ground. That's worse form than running over one though knowing me, I'd try to brake or do something spastic.

I am also way scared of downhills! What I learned though is practice is most important. I will go down hills I am familiar with. Some are more challenging than others and there are times that I will stop to regroup (and relax my hands because by this point they are cramped). There are also times I will ride with one foot unclipped as I'm going an ungainly 5mph down the hills. Anyway I learned that once I'm familiar with the hill and know how it ends and where the curves are, my comfort level increases and I can go faster and do things like not stop or not unclip. Once I reach that point, if I'm on a hill I'm not familiar with, I think "hey, I can do this. I've done worse.".

As far as technique goes, the other people have some wonderful ideas. My technique is not good...I just do what it takes to make me not want to curl up in a ball in absolute horror. Just keep at it, you will get there. You might not be one of those people who fly down hills at 50 mph but you will know your limits and be able to control your bike.

And the Death Ride? The ONLY thing that would make me not ride it (that and the fact I'm not in shape for hills right now) are the downhills

[iowagrad]

Thanks for all the tips. You ladies are awesome. I'll still remain terrified until the weather nicens up and I can get out there. If you think I'm doing hills in freezing cold with snow and ice, you're insane! I'll let you all know how it turns out for me this spring.