Descending

Chefshaw

im pretty new to your sport, and seem to be gaining in confidence with every ride. but im unsure how to descend properly. should i hug the brakes, or just go for it?
also how do you cope with strong winds when descending? or is at all a confidence thing?

any advice will be helpful

acidstrato

confidence is most important

no need to hug the brakes if your hands are on the drops, only takes the movement of 1 finger and you can be ready to anticipate an obstacle in advance, keep looking ahead of you and follow a clear line.

rick_chasey

Don't brake as often.

sungod

confidence+experience/skill

try it sitting up first, then practice it getting into a tuck

once you are cool with it, sprint downhill as fast as you can

it's a rush, you'll be hooked

don't ride the brakes, you'll heat up the rims and if you run at high pressure could be in trouble, 30 degrees c. rise will add 10 psi to a road tyre - unless you've got disk brakes of course

look ahead for potholes, dips, bumps, sunken/raised manhole covers etc., be ready to take weight off if it's too late to safely steer around (probably will be if you don't know the road)

gravel/other crap on the road is bad news, on corners it could be lethal, if you aren't sure about surface, be very very careful, also beware of white lines, they can be slippery

you'll be going faster than cars, so take the middle of the lane/road, then crosswinds are less of an issue, stay *away* from the edge of the road - this also reduces the risk from dirty edges and twunts who stick their cars out from side roads without looking for bikes

many car drivers won't realise how fast you are going, their brains are wired for bike == 10mph, not bike == 40+ mph, be ready for them doing apparently stupid things

if you start getting a hint of speed wobble, be ready to press a knee hard against the top tube, it should stop it

cornering at speed is an acquired skill, this is packed with good advice...

http://www.flammerouge.je/content/3_fac ... escend.htm

Anonymous

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/fitness/a ... peed-26670

roger_merriman

nice and smooth, plan your way down. and relax.

Chefshaw

Thanks guys sounds like I need a little more time in the saddle.

Chefshaw

When descending do u stay on the hoods? Or drop down onto the lower bars? I know it's probably a stupid question, but dropping down onto the bars feels un natural

Lightning

It's easier to control if you're on the drops. It might feel weird at first, but you'll get used to it.

TommyEss

You really need to get into the drops - that way if you do need to brake heavily you can push your weight back over the saddle because you can push back against the bars - try this on drops and you'll probably slide right off the front of the bike.

Lower centre of gravity helps - remember you don't make strong steering inputs at those speeds - much of the cornering is in the lean.

Make sure you brake before the turn, not during - if you feel too fast don't grab the brake, don't sit the bike up - hold the lean and let the bike do the work - on dry tarmac, the tyres will hold on much more than you think - and grip at far steeper angles than you feel truly comfortable with.

Trust them.

Peddle Up!

If only there was somewhere you could go to practice, and know that it wouldn't hurt if you fell off...