You can argue 60mph is iffy for sure but 20-25mph? Even with my very modest efforts I can do that on the flat.
For me anything over 40mph feels quick downhill.
Deadly KOM chasing.
- Thread starter Milzy
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You can argue 60mph is iffy for sure but 20-25mph? Even with my very modest efforts I can do that on the flat.
For me anything over 40mph feels quick downhill.
midlandsgrimpeur
Über Member
I am talking about being able to brake effectively and either come to a halt or avoid a collision if anything suddenly appears/pops out/leaps at you. Your braking distance even at 25mph is going to be fairly lengthy and will make split second avoidance difficult if not impossible. I'm not suggesting we all descend below a speed of 25mph but just to be aware once we start hitting speeds beyond that there is an element of risk and lack of control. At 60mph like the video, there is no control should something happen!
rogerzilla
Squire
It's slightly safer if you hang off the back of the saddle, or at least perch on the very rear. You can then use the brakes very hard without skidding or doing an endo. It saved me when a front tyre blew out (pinch puncture at 110psi!) halfway down from Uffington White Horse. The rear brake stopped me short of the crossroads at the bottom, without skidding. Obviously you can't ever use a front brake with a flat front tyre, as it will probably rip right off the rim and then you're in a world of pain.
Brandane
Miles cannot be done unless moving!
- Location
- Costa Clyde.
As a motorcyclist as well as a "normal" cyclist, I am in 2 minds about this. There are risks at any speed, not just 25mph and above. A tonne of skidding car coming towards you at 60 mph?
Obviously on a motorbike you're not going to be going everywhere at 25mph or less. And we are just as vulnerable as cyclists when it comes to deer, foxes, or whatever running out in front of us. OK, we might wear better protective gear, but as always when you take to the roads by car, motorbike, or bicycle we just have to accept that there are risks involved and if your luck happens to run out, then so be it.
There are steps we can take to reduce the risks, but you can only go so far when it comes to risk reduction. Unless we decide to sit at home all day, which brings its own risks!
So what is my point? I'm not even sure myself! Just that we sometimes need to do "stuff" we enjoy, and accept the risks.
midlandsgrimpeur
Über Member
That is a valid point. I think my main issue with the guy who made the video is the fact he opens the video saying that what he is doing is "safe" as he is an experienced cyclist. As we have all said, there are things we can do to mitigate risk, but what he is doing is not safe, it is high risk. My major concern with things like that is whether it encourages people to copy him who may not be anywhere near as competent with terrible outcomes.
rogerzilla
Squire
I agree, it's not safe (many aspects of cycling are unsafe) but it's within his personal risk appetite.
Dogtrousers
Lefty tighty. Get it righty.
Riding particularly fast is not something I do or have ever done. But if other people want to, that's their business. I'm not particularly interested. As long as they don't collide with me.
Earlier this year I was grinding up Toys Hill in Kent which is steep, has a bend and a pretty crappy surface . A guy on a bike came absolutely flying down in the middle of the road. I managed to catch sight of his face and remember his expression was very much "maybe this wasn't such a good idea". Fortunately I think he was past the dodgiest bit and it just gets easier from there.
Earlier this year I was grinding up Toys Hill in Kent which is steep, has a bend and a pretty crappy surface . A guy on a bike came absolutely flying down in the middle of the road. I managed to catch sight of his face and remember his expression was very much "maybe this wasn't such a good idea". Fortunately I think he was past the dodgiest bit and it just gets easier from there.
rogerzilla
Squire
I have overcooked it a couple of times, once at 2.30am on the descent into Hughenden Valley, when I nearly went off the road on the wrong side, and once on a lane in Dartmoor, when I managed to lock up both wheels on dry tarmac and somehow saved it. The cause was the same in both cases: thinking I knew the road better than I did, and being caught out by a bend that unexpectedly tightened.
