...on the way down...
Hi all,
I started road cycling last summer (been a runner for a long time), and want to try the hills etc. Last year did a route that took in two long tough hills (Cheshire/Stoke the Cloud and Mow Cop). I got off an walked last year on the way up. Yesterday went back to try this on a 35m route (done 50 miles relatively flat last 2 weekends), and managed to get up (using Granny gear at times) them both. Great. Hard but great!
It's the decents... OMG it's painful. Got into the drops and felt secure on the bike (it's new, hydraulic disc brakes, etc), but holding the brakes there was very very uncomfy. I just kept the speed right down (10/15mph), as soon as release the brakes the speed picks up SO fast. The decent from the Bosley cloud I stayed on, but from Mow Cop, on a 22% downhill (I didn't use the killer mile on way up or down for anyone who knows it), but I just had to get off. Was the fact was pointing down, I dunno.
So a couple of questions. I have shortish fingers and maybe that's a problem, just felt had to keep feathering left, right (front back) brake, and not good at all. I'm not really wanting to speed speed it down (think max speed was 32mph) esp on open roads. But maintaining some speed is OK. Would I be better on the hoods where it's not as uncomfy holding the brakes (drops aren't uncomfy when not braking as hard). Can I adjust the position of the levers much to help.
I dunno, it's hit my enthusiasm for hills, etc. Any suggestions, ideas, etc
Hi all,
I started road cycling last summer (been a runner for a long time), and want to try the hills etc. Last year did a route that took in two long tough hills (Cheshire/Stoke the Cloud and Mow Cop). I got off an walked last year on the way up. Yesterday went back to try this on a 35m route (done 50 miles relatively flat last 2 weekends), and managed to get up (using Granny gear at times) them both. Great. Hard but great!
It's the decents... OMG it's painful. Got into the drops and felt secure on the bike (it's new, hydraulic disc brakes, etc), but holding the brakes there was very very uncomfy. I just kept the speed right down (10/15mph), as soon as release the brakes the speed picks up SO fast. The decent from the Bosley cloud I stayed on, but from Mow Cop, on a 22% downhill (I didn't use the killer mile on way up or down for anyone who knows it), but I just had to get off. Was the fact was pointing down, I dunno.
So a couple of questions. I have shortish fingers and maybe that's a problem, just felt had to keep feathering left, right (front back) brake, and not good at all. I'm not really wanting to speed speed it down (think max speed was 32mph) esp on open roads. But maintaining some speed is OK. Would I be better on the hoods where it's not as uncomfy holding the brakes (drops aren't uncomfy when not braking as hard). Can I adjust the position of the levers much to help.
I dunno, it's hit my enthusiasm for hills, etc. Any suggestions, ideas, etc