Tight downhill single track switchbacks

[Irulan]

Tiger mom, only pay attention to the first three skills in that video. Those are really easy to monkey-see, monkey-do. The others should really be taught to you by a qualified coach to break them down and take you though the correct progressions. That video is the "things you need to know to take the level 2 test". Maybe I shouldn't have posted it? TMI?

I've been taught the lean bike method - easier said than done.

[TigerMom]

Thanks to you all, I did do MUCH better on the tight downhill switchbacks today.

Apparently, my problem was "picking the right line" (which includes NOT looking over the cliff and looking inward at the road instead) and leaning my bike inward at the correct moments with the correct speed. I tried keeping my pedals level, but I seemed to do better on leaning my bike inward with my outer leg down instead.

[Veronica]

Wahine's line about flowing water helped me on Sunday. I also found it easier to do a couple of the switchbacks with my outside leg down.

I also discovered that my bike will not stop on a 20% grade when I only use the rear brake. I was experimenting with my braking, so it was a plan, not an accident.

Veronica

[Irulan]

Tigermom, what width handlebars are you running? I just switched out to 28" bars from 25" and oh wow, I can't beleive what a difference it has made. On a lot of different levels, but steering aroun tight corners was easier than ever.

elbows bent and presure your hands, too.

[TigerMom]

Tigermom, what width handlebars are you running? I just switched out to 28" bars from 25" and oh wow, I can't beleive what a difference it has made. On a lot of different levels, but steering aroun tight corners was easier than ever.

elbows bent and presure your hands, too.

Good point. I have already had a brief bike fit for my mountain bike. 6 months ago, my LBS chopped off an inch from both sides of my handlebars which greatly helped in my steering control. They said that I was close to my optimal size, but that to be optimal, I would have to buy a smaller handlebar. Since I already found great improvement, I decided not to buy a smaller handlebar.

After multiple trials of the same downhill switchbacks, my personal problem is picking the correct lines (which includes keeping my eyes on the road rather than how close I am to the edge of the cliff....very difficult to train myself to NOT look at dangerous areas) and, eventually, getting a telescoping seat post because I don't want to lower my seat for the downhills because that would be a big "pain in the butt" to do every time I find myself in a difficult downhill section of the ride; Because you are correct that I can do the bike/body separation and turns better with a lower seat. Currently, I can decently power uphill with my flat pedals without any knee pain with my current saddle height.

Thank your all for your advice thus far. I am doing MUCH better than before even though I am still freaking out each time on difficult downhills.

[Irulan]

So you went narrower? Hmm. I went wider. Just goes to show how different things work for different people.

[Veronica]

I went wider too with the Ibis. I really like it when I'm climbing.

Veronica