Conquering downhill fears

[indigoiis]

I used to have this little bmx style bike, when I was a kid. It had coaster brakes. I learned to go downhill getting off the seat a little, head low, arms tucked, butt waaaaayyyy back, pedals level.

I no longer have that little bike, but I use the same technique on my "big girl" bike.

It makes me feel like if I fall, at least I'm all tucked up nice and neat.

[whippetgirl]

I'm kind of chicken on the downhills, too. I always feel like I'm holding back my friends, but they still ride with me!
But, I have learned some things, too. Others have said them, but I think the most important thing (other than a well-fitting bike) for me is to push my bottom back as far as feels comfortable. It is amazing how that seems to stabilize your balance on the bike on the descents. Also, if you "feather" your brakes, your hands won't get so tired.

[coyote]

Thanks everyone, I've really gotten a lot out of this. Since my venture last week, I've been able to go down some inclines at a normal speed and with a lot less apprehension. I'm by no means ready to do any of the serious climbs around here but all in good time and probably with other experienced cyclist.

[OakLeaf]

A lot of descending is a visual skill - knowing where to look. Look through the turns to the road ahead of you. Learn to spot possible road hazards well in advance, then position yourself to avoid them and *don't* stare at them as you approach. It'll come.

[Zen]

I think we all know what to do but doing it is another thing altogether. Evey one has their personal goblin. For one person it's unfamiliar roads, for someone else it's chipmunks, fallen branches, feelings of lack of control,any number of things.
For everyone, it's more psychological than technical.

[Jiffer]

My first downhill experiences were on the back of a tandem with a husband driver who is used to going fast. I know he went slower than he normally would, but I'd still be yelling, "Scary! Scary! Maybe we should slow down!" Eventually, I stopped saying that and the downhill speeds just got faster. Our fastest yet was 50 mph on a short stretch. Talk about exhilerating! A tandem is heavier and more secure feeling, though. The fastest I've gone on my single is somewhere in the mid to high 30's. Maybe 40 at the most. No need to push it past what you're comfortable with. Good for you for working toward conquering your fears.

[RoadRaven]

A lot of descending is a visual skill - knowing where to look. Look through the turns to the road ahead of you. Learn to spot possible road hazards well in advance, then position yourself to avoid them and *don't* stare at them as you approach. It'll come.

Oakleaf - extremely valid point

Learning the right line to take on descents can make it so much easier - I use the full width of the road, sweeping from the edge to the middle lines and back according the sharpness of the corner and the camber (sp?) of the road.

This makes descending much easier than if you try and stay on the edge of the road all the time as you do when on the flats.

[Zen]

One more time, it's psychological,, not technical.
And it takes time. We know this. This is primarily a commiseration and support group.

[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!

[RoadRaven]

One more time, it's psychological,, not technical.
And it takes time. We know this. This is primarily a commiseration and support group.

Well, yeah - but some of it is technical if you want to do it more quickly.

I have a snippet from one of the Tour de France stages playing over and over in my head.
It was a descent (of course!) and I think it was Cancellara following someone else down - they were leading. I can't for the life of me remember who was in front (I'll ask my partner when I get home - he'll remember) and the leader went too wide on the corner and went off-road for a few seconds before getting back onto the tarseal... Cancellara had been following his swooping descent and followed the same line, trusting he had got it right and of course ended up on the grass as well.

They were taking the lines so wide to ensure the fastest path down the hill.

When you know the lines to take, and learn how to identify them, it helps you with your confidence because you know how you and your bike will react on angles at speed. Thats half the problem with downhills if there are corners of course...


(Oh, and my earlier post where I said I use the full width of the road...? It should have read I use the full width of MY SIDE of the road... never cross the centre line - espesh on downhill corners (or any corners).

[espirit]

Hi Everyone

I am new here and soooo happy to read this thread! I have only ridden my new road bike 4 times and the hills are terrifying me! It doesn't help that I don't feel like I can stop the bike when I am riding on the hoods. I can't seem to reach far enough down the brake levers to get any of the "lever" action happening. I seem to be pulling on the lever near the top at the join. If I go to the drops (which I haven't been game enuf to do downhill yet!) I get good leverage and it brakes well. Do I need to change something on my setup? (please say yes!)

[cosc]

I'm also very careful, probably overly so on downhills. The front half of my bike seems out of control with wobbles on steep descents. I keep my bottom far back, hold top tube with jitters and hold my bars lightly, usually in the drops, and feather brakes, but still have problems. I might need more weight toward the front end of the bike. I read that more weight on your cranks creates a lower center of gravity, better balance and control. I too, need all the downhill advice I can get.

Coyote this is a very good thread as descending is one of the most awesome
experiences when done with confidence.

[alpinerabbit]

• ride the ideal line:
  this image is from motorcart racing but it is basically the same - in a single bend (right hand pic) swerve outwards then aim for the inside of the curve. Don't swerve when riding in a pack.
  
  
• decelerate before the turn, not in the turn
• have your outside pedal down - not only to avoid sparks but also to have more control on the lean of your bike. Put weight on the outside foot.
• steer from your hips also
• look where you want to go - like horseback riding.

here's what I was taught in training camp and it really helped. I am much faster downhill this year than last.