A hills thread...going down not up this time!

mpatts

A question - I am becoming a bit of a climbing expert, I'm now 10st 2, which I'm sure helps, but I really struggle to keep up on downhills.

I'm an ex MTBer, so I don't think it's fear, but my 'heavier' mates leave me for dead on the downhill bits (especially there are any corners involved). Are there any good descending tips? I've tried tucking!

marcusjb

Being another 60Kg rider, I can only say that you'll never quite keep up with them - not without putting a lot of effort in or getting a really tight tuck. That's life really.

Us light riders are generally going to struggle to keep up on downhills, but should blow the fatties away on the uphills!

We're in trouble in a headwind as well - so don't annoy your heavier mates too much so they'll be happy to let you sit in when things get windy!

Calpol

Yup I am afraid Mass > aero on the way down! I have the same issue when out on a club meander with some of our heavier chaps. I also reckon a couple just have more bottle than I have

roger_merriman

Calpol wrote:

Yup I am afraid Mass > aero on the way down! I have the same issue when out on a club meander with some of our heavier chaps. I also reckon a couple just have more bottle than I have

quite, being a MTBer by trade plus reasonably heavy and by freewheeling down (since my roadie is a SS ) I don't tend to be slower than all but the fastest.

sungod

the heavier ones will accelerate faster, but if you're getting left on the corners then you can probably improve that by working on technique

if you're lighter you should be able to brake later/harder and be more aggressive on corners than the heavier guys (assuming no nasty crosswinds), they'll still be faster on the straights and gentle curves, but anywhere braking is needed should be a chance to claw a bit back

this has much good advice on descending...

http://www.flammerouge.je/factsheets/descend.htm

mpatts

sungod wrote:

the heavier ones will accelerate faster, but if you're getting left on the corners then you can probably improve that by working on technique

if you're lighter you should be able to brake later/harder and be more aggressive on corners than the heavier guys (assuming no nasty crosswinds), they'll still be faster on the straights and gentle curves, but anywhere braking is needed should be a chance to claw a bit back

this has much good advice on descending...

http://www.flammerouge.je/factsheets/descend.htm

Great link that, cheers!

The headwind thing had never occurred to me, I do find myself working pretty hard into headwinds.

smidsy

mpatts wrote:

The headwind thing had never occurred to me, I do find myself working pretty hard into headwinds.

Where as headwinds are really easy for us heavier riders - NOT!

t4tomo

smidsy wrote:

mpatts wrote:

The headwind thing had never occurred to me, I do find myself working pretty hard into headwinds.

Where as headwinds are really easy for us heavier riders - NOT!

No but heavier riders in gerneral wil be more powerful, assuming they are fitness heavy, not just a bucket of lard on a bike.

Battling a headwind is more about power than power to weight. For climbing power to weight is more important.

cougie

You need to make up time on the uphills so by the time you've all descended again - everyone's about equal. Big units will descend faster than skinny mountain goats.