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Descent Fear

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  • July 29, 2014 at 12:25 pm #22017
    bamilton wackademical

    Hey all. It’s my first time on the forum so be kind!

    I have an embarrassing problem. No, not that one – that’s cleared up now. The problem is that I’m terrible on downhill stretches. If I’m out with a group, there’s a good chance that they’re going to be at the bottom of the hill well before I am, because I’m teetering down with my grip firmly on the brakes. It never used to be a problem when I was a kid, bombing down the steepest of slopes. Now I’m creeping up for 40 it’s become a real issue.

    A particularly white knuckle descent down Sundridge Hill in Kent the other day made me think it’s something that I really need to improve on. I think part of the problem is that I don’t have enough faith in modern day brakes to bring me to a stop if I started losing control or if something ran out in front of me – but I’m also conscious that I need to improve my technique and confidence. What advice would you all offer to someone with such an affliction?

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  • July 30, 2014 at 6:59 am #806443
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    Colin Peyresourde

    If you want to actually deal
    If you want to actually deal with the issue and improve your descending the first thing is to get on the drops. This will actually give you more breaking control. It sounds counter intuitive because you’re making yourself more aero, but the increased braking power from grabbing them in that position gives more control.

    The second is that you just need to try to hang off the brakes for as long as possible. If you have a friend who is normally a faster descender follow them and once they have a descending velocity try to match it. If they stay upright so will you. The problem comes when you feel the fear you’ll be tempted to scrub off speed.

    The only times you should be braking though is when you are entering a bend. Take the speed off till you can see the exit and then release. If the road is straight don’t touch the brakes. The obvious deviation from that is if you can see road hazards. Also, you should be braking in straight lines, so if you are braking while going around a bend then a) you potentially put yourself at risk of an accident b) you didn’t take off enough speed when entering the corner.

    July 29, 2014 at 10:29 pm #806441
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    Leeroy_Silk

    Sounds to me like you don’t
    Sounds to me like you don’t have a single thing to worry about. Self preservation is far more important than going like a bat out of hell and crashing at the first turn!

    Jimmy Ray Will made a very good point ‘confidence’. Having confidence in your brakes and bike is big part here. The other area where you need confidence is in your own capabilities. There’s only one thing stopping you from hill bombing at 100kph; your own brain.

    When descending full speed, there’s a few things I’d always analyse. How well do you know the road? Are there any hidden hazards? What’s the surface like. Where are the corners? Can you see through them or are they blind?
    Try and find a well sighted road with no junctions and go for it! build up your speed and stay within your comfort zone. Spread your weight evenly between pedals and seat (if it’s bumpy put more weight on your feet and un-weight your bum, use your legs as shock absorbers), keep your weight off the bars, don’t hold them too tightly. Finally relax!

    When approaching a corner, brake before you turn, don’t turn in on the brakes, brake smoothly. Try to look ahead of where you’re riding and look through the turns and try to look where you want to be once you’re through the turn.

    One final point, try following your friends through. Follow their lines and work out their braking points.

    July 29, 2014 at 5:04 pm #806439
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    Jimmy Ray Will

    You highlighted that you do
    You highlighted that you do not have confidence in your brakes… that to me is an obvious starting points.

    Anyone that asks me will get the same response, confidence in your equipment equals confidence and braking is the key factor in being able to comfortably push on a descent.

    Maybe spend some time going down straight descents and practicing stopping until you are comfortable with the limits of the brakes.

    At the same time you may want to look at your brake performance and ensure that it is tip top… good brake pads, clean and new cables etc.

    Once you are comfy under brakes, the trick is to brake early for a corner so that you reach the speed you know you can get around without a panic. From that base point you can start to add speed on to corners and at the same time, or separately, start to brake later.

    At my youthful stupidest, I was turning into corners on my front wheel only as I’d leave braking late and hit them hard… I did however have a intimate knowledge of the bikes capabilities and the roads in question.

    I’m also creeping towards 40 and I went back and rode my old training roads recently… it was terrifying to think that at one point I knew I used to be in a full aero tuck where these days I was actively braking…

    in summary, we all get slower with age!

    July 29, 2014 at 5:00 pm #806437
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    Rtjohnson

    I have the same issue as
    I have the same issue as yourself, I’m only 23 but I’m very slow on the descents rarely going above 30 on a road I’m new to, 40mph on even the roads I ride every week.

    I think its purely a confidence thing, generally the people I ride with are much faster downhill than me but slower uphill so it tends to work out quite well!

    Like others have said its just not worth taking risks on roads with cars and side streets for a quicker strava time, why bother? Enjoy your riding and don’t worry too much.

    July 29, 2014 at 4:53 pm #806435
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    bamilton wackademical

    Not a bad idea – I might
    Not a bad idea – I might check that out. I’m in Catford, so close to Crystal Palace and Kent also. I did the Falling Leaves route back to front last weekend and planning a route around Downe and Lullingstone this weekend, so plenty hills to get practice on I reckon. If it persists, I’d definitely consider tuition.

    July 29, 2014 at 4:46 pm #806433
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    spin sugar

    I know the feeling well.
    If
    I know the feeling well.

    If it’s something you really want to work on and you have the means to make a visit to South East London (this might work, if you’re down in Kent somewhere), have a think about booking something with Cadence Performance in Crystal Palace. They occasionally do group descending/ascending classes or you could even (if you have the extra cash) book a one-on-one for a couple of hours (or however long you want) with a pro. Cannot recommend them enough. They helped me get my confidence back after a crash last year.

    July 29, 2014 at 3:39 pm #806431
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    bamilton wackademical

    Thanks guys – all useful
    Thanks guys – all useful comments. I’m guessing the demographic on here is a bit closer to my age than a lot of other forums? What I’ve mostly read on other sources is essentially “get on the drops and stop being a pussy” 8|

    I’m sure it’s all a matter of confidence. I’m not trying to break any records when I’m out on weekend runs – but I would like to be able to get down to the bottom without thrashing the brakes too much. Ultimately it means more to me to get up the hill faster and without stopping than it does bombing it down the other side.

    July 29, 2014 at 3:38 pm #806429
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    Chris James

    This might not make you feel
    This might not make you feel more confident, but you are actually much more likely to crash while braking than when letting the bike have its head.

    Your bike tyres only have so much grip and braking and cornering both use some of it up.

    Also, while braking then bike tends to straighten up, whereas you need to be able to lean over to steer around corners.

    I think it is useful to practice on roads that you use regularly, where you get to know the corners and which ones you can get away with not braking on. Look at the exit of the corner, rather than the apex. Extending your outside leg and putting slight pressure on the outside pedal also helps. resting your knee against the top tube will prevent any tank slappers. In fact, doing anything to distract you form thinking about how fast you are going is pretty useful!

    If you are just scared of speed then sitting up to catch some of the air will slow the bike a little without having to use the brakes.

    Modern dual pivots are pretty good. You can stop fairly quickly, in fact the main challenge is to limit the amount of braking as you don’t want to slam on the brakes and lock the wheels.

    Sometimes, if you have a quick dose of the fear I find it useful to deliberately decide to stop braking, and try to relax. Even for a second or so it could dramatically improve the bike handling.

    Finally, riding cyclo-cross or just off road can help.

    All the best.

    July 29, 2014 at 3:33 pm #806427
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    arfa

    Fast uphill, slow downhill.
    Fast uphill, slow downhill. Sorted.
    In all seriousness, you are probably doing this for enjoyment so why terrify yourself ? Descending at speed is dangerous and there is always the risk of gravel and potholes. Build your speed over time on roads you know. Don’t swek to find your limits as you might just go beyond them and have a nasty “off”.
    There are some good youtube videos on technique if you wish but gradually build your confidence. If you are hanging on for dear life you are probably tense and more at risk of a snafu….
    Good luck !

    July 29, 2014 at 3:30 pm #806425
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    Flying Scot

    I am a fast descender, I
    I am a fast descender, I don’t know, how / why, but a few ride mates who are tentative descenders have tried following me and came off.

    I don’t think I’m taking risks, but I do know if I start thinking about it, I’m all over the place, missing lines and braking points.

    I wouldn’t bother trying to descend out with your comfort zone, I’m not sure it can be taught, especially later in life, safer and more honourable to train to beat your mates to the top! ( which I can’t often do!)

    July 29, 2014 at 1:48 pm #806423
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    Shades

    Sorry I’m not a racer, but
    Sorry I’m not a racer, but I’d say it’s a speed that you’re comfortable with and able to react to whatever situation you may encounter in the descent. Chris Boardman made a good comment on the ITV4 TdF coverage in that one thing he missed about being a pro was closed roads for a descent; not a luxury the rest of us enjoy! I’ve had plenty of ‘reality check’ moments (cars, gravel etc) from times where I’ve been tempted to throw caution to the wind and there are more than enough sad stories of people who have killed themselves on descents.

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