down hill scardy pants

[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.

[Crankin]

Well, I don't know if my shortness helps with anything...
I don't turn my handlebars. I try to lean my body and look in the direction of the turn. But I think what mostly happens is I slow down, stiffen my body, squeeze the brakes, and just pray to get down the hill.

Jiffer, I am not really *pissed* at people like you, I am more pissed at myself. And I suspect you probably climb faster than me, too. I spin up everything, sometimes at extremely slow speeds, but I get up pretty steep grades.

You know, I can't remember how I went down hills as a kid. I lived in a hilly neighborhood and rode my 3 speed Raleigh everywhere. In fact, I don't know how I got up some of those hills on that bike!

[tantrumbean]

Try steering the opposite way (just slightly), i.e. in a right turn steer to the left and vice versa - it's worked miracles for me, I can actually stay on the right side of the road now rather than being carried way out!