45 mph on an Alpine Decent. Brakes Fail. What to do?

Yes I know it's a daft question - however it passed 1/2 an hour in pub last night.
Anyway you are on one the great European decents. Both brakes fail (lets say the cables snap..) What would you do? What are your options?
Anyway you are on one the great European decents. Both brakes fail (lets say the cables snap..) What would you do? What are your options?
"I thought of it while riding my bicycle."
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Voodoo Bizango - 2014 - Dead - Hit by a car
Vitus Sentier VRS - 2017
+ some other bikes.
....
or catch up the car in front then hang onto his door handle to slow down
I was going down a hill in the Yorkshire Dales, it was called Lofthouse, I was on the side after the village, heading East, I was going down the hill, I was doing 40mph, I looked down and notived my tyre was flat!, I could not steer, and the side of a bridge was fast aproaching with a drop into like a stream, I tried to brake, in the end I had to put my cleat down, and it destroyed most of the yellow.
The cleat still did service for another couple of months after mind, but ever since I'm paranoid about going down hills. Worst thing was, I was on my own, about 80 miles from home, with a pump that was knackered.
I had to do the remaining 80 miles on about 35PSi, I crawled to BeDale only to find the crappiest bike shop on earth that did NOT have a track pump, but a rather useless portable censored pump.
The Moser
The VN
Switchbacked roads like Ventoux are another matter. I don't think you'll get 45mph between corners, though; still, if you can, and you're hurtling towards a hairpin with either armco or a big drop, I guess it's best to bail into the verge. Finding the nerve to do that is another matter.
Bail!
Aim for any grass if there is any.
Then, change into the gear nearest your rear wheel. With a firm back heel kick to the rear mech you will lock it up into the spokes.
If your going too fast, it may just rip it off, but there's a better chance that the chain/ mech will just lock up the rear wheel... probably the fastest way to stop and maybe even staying upright until you stop... (although you will prob drift/slide the next 50m...)
Best case scenario.... 1 spoke change, 1 new hanger.. new pair of bib shorts
Worst.... well, that's why you spent 30min talking about it...
If both have gone at the same time then it's probably just your 'time'!
http://app.strava.com/athletes/30000
Blue line is speed...
Lost the the back end at just over 40mph (max was 44 but resolution of graph doesn't show this) due to rear locking up on gravel. Straight into the verge. Broke my right leg in 3 places. Note the date!!
Luckily there was a left hand hairpin with a bit of a run off so I could stop in a straight line. I dont use 140 PSI any more....
That was a pretty sudden stop!
You did well to manage 5mph an hour after it happened though
Most sensible answer.
Galibier? Ventoux?
That was Spanielsson moving the bike!
Yep. 44-0 in a few metres. My leg made a good 'brake' though...
Did this a few weeks ago at Swinley front jacknifed I sailed on over- it is surprising just how quick you can exit a bike with clipless pedals on....
Thankfully only at a bout 20mph and managed to miss all the trees, pringled front wheel - now awaiting new one
Trek 4500 (toddler chariot)
and the rest!! 45mph isn't super fast and I don't even want to consider losing my brakes at that speed
http://app.strava.com/athletes/30000
Fun as it is going that fast, I prefer more technical, chicaned descents on narrower forest access roads, which are often beautifully paved, and deserted but for the occasional Renault 4. I've had exhilarating downhill rides, never more than 30mph but with the feeling of being on a rollercoaster.
Why build up that speed if you use your brakes? Right enough, if you needed to stop, but the question was simply what you would do if your brakes failed. You shouldn't need them.
Descending Galibier I hit, I think 45. (lot of people we gong past me ...)
I need to brake for some corners at that speed.
I could go more slowly and not brake. However I think I would get to the bottom more slowly.
Descending Galibier I hit, I think 45. (lot of people we gong past me ...)
I need to brake for some corners at that speed.
I could go more slowly and not brake. However I think I would get to the bottom more slowly.