The limiting factor:

[alpinerabbit]

Fear.

Man was I scared. I was going downhill slower than up

First I see this roadkilled squirrel on a descent and I wondered if I was going to look like that in a sec.
I had troubles changing lanes on the bigger roads while watching the red light and traffic from behind and trying not to oversteer AND unclipping - yikes.... I actually crossed a large intersection on the crosswalk - wobbling on my shoes

I used to be a fearless bike commuter but the racer is soooo tiny underneath me and every little hole I hit in the tarmac, I think the tires are gonna blooooow...

[RoadRaven]

Hey rabbit, welcome to the boards...

I don't like descents much either... 40km/hour is as high as I get on moderate descents... less as the gradient climbs

Better to err on the side of caution

You're right... don't wanna look like roadkill!

[alpinerabbit]

Hi raven,

nice to meet you and great signature line!

I WILL try again tomorrow LOL

[bikerchick68]

alpine... how long have you been riding? descending can be nerveracking! I was really nervous about it my first year especially... to this day I am careful and don't take it for granted... I have hit stupid top speeds, but only on straightaways...

there is a fast downhill on my commute home... there is a section that is a bridge over a valley below... last week as I crossed there, doing about 37mph, the wind was HOWLING! My front wheel started to shudder... man, did I sit up and start feathering my brakes! Slowed it waaaaaay down...

I have a healthy respect for pavement... and my skin!

[KSH]

I use my brakes on decents. True... I lose the group... and I get told to NOT use my brakes...

But, I'm not Lance... I'm not in a race... and I won't win any money if go faster than someone else.

I'm all about staying ON my bike... and not hitting a pothole at 30 MPH... with the possiblity of hurting myself... AND my bike!

So... I use my brakes... and I feel SAFE going down hills... and I don't worry about killing myself.

Plus, when we go up the hills... I catch up... because I move it up some hills!

[MomOnBike]

Am I the only one that likes a good, fast downhill?

[CorsairMac]

Am I the only one that likes a good, fast downhill?

no ma'am....I was Most Unhappy Sat when I climbed my heart out knowing I would get to do a Screaming descent on the way back (I've hit speeds of 45+ on that descent and was hoping to hit 50 Sat) ONLY to be faced with a vicious head/cross wind. I ended up doing 42 coming down that mountain and that was only because I was so far down in the drops I was laying on my saddle!! Guess I"ll just have to try another day!

[alpinerabbit]

I've been mountainbiking now and then / commuting daily for 6-8 years, until I got a real job in another town 2 yrs ago. But the race bike is new.

next try: 45km and 350 meters up. I nearly died climbing up. My SO had to push a couple times and my pulse was... don't tell me off.... 193 at one point.

But going home was ok, I slept it off and I only had a sore butt (muscles, not sitting bones) for a day.

Clipping is easier already, sometimes I hit them without looking - and new glasses with decent side view make a lane change a joke - like in the old days. I could hold my legs steady and my hands brake-ready going downhill, still slow but getting more confident.

I am so happy my posture seems to be ok! and thanks for the hint about the crew cut elsewhere.

[CorsairMac]

LOVE your avatar!!