My perception of life has changed.

[Welsh wheels]

Since coming off badly 2 years ago I've slowed down when descending, particularly on steep descents. No way will I do 50+ mph downhill any more, rather 30-35 is fine.

That's also my self-imposed speed limit

 

[Welsh wheels]

Silly to crash from going for it downhill and ruining an otherwise great ride. If you fall off at 30 mph, you're in a better place than at 40 mph.

 

[vickster]

Silly to crash from going for it downhill and ruining an otherwise great ride. If you fall off at 30 mph, you're in a better place than at 40 mph.

Maybe. It hurts enough coming off at 12mph frankly. 30 is likely going to do significant damage too

I pretty much have my hands on the crosslevers all the way down any significant hill

 

[kevin_cambs_uk]

It’s not the crash to me that bothers me

It’s hitting other people and being prosecuted for it

 

[Nigel-YZ1]

I turned 50 in february and found it a hard transition. I'm told it's only a number but can't let go of it. I feel like Grandpa Simpson running around looking at things - pointing and going "Death!!!".
Cycling is my avoidance of reality strategy so I think about a descent and the consequences, then go for it anyway. I'm on a big bulldozer of a mountain bike with front suspension and hydraulic disks so I think my chances of reaching the bottom aren't too bad. Perhaps the fear will start when I get the 1980's Carlton back up and running and start going down t' col de Hoylandswaine.

 

[Fnaar]

I love going down quickly (ooh, stop it) (41mph yesterday evening, have topped 60 once) but there's one local hill where I've totally lost my bottle. It's a steep hill with a bend in the middle... I can't do it (oo'er) as fast as I used to.

 

[vickster]

It’s not the crash to me that bothers me

It’s hitting other people and being prosecuted for it

Surely that's pretty unlikely unless you're riding in a group. Paraplegia would worry me more than a possible case against which I have insurance

 

[Archie_tect]

Best not to think about things too much... besides when I'm yee-haaing down the hill out of Ogle or down the Ryals or down into Corbridge from the old roman road I never look to see how fast I'm going but check the brakes to keep myself in control! [Well, I say control....]

 

[Moodyman]

I was a confident descender until I had an off at 30 mph, several violent shimmys (unsuitable bike) and a dead friend who crossed the white line on a fast bend (hit by oncoming car). All of these happened in a short period and it's only recently that I'm beginning to let go of the brakes.

So, yes, one's perception changes when one realises how vulnerable one is.

 

[steveindenmark]

run 35's tubeless and with disc brakes.
I'm 62 and descending faster than ever!

I was like that last year. Until I came off and spent a week in the hospital. I am 60 and dont bounce like I used to.

Dont worry. You will soon see what I mean.

 

[MontyVeda]

I got my strong sense of mortality in my early thirties. My biggest fear on a big downhill is that the friction from the brakes will melt my rims

 

[Shut Up Legs]

The year before last, when descending the long, smooth, straight and steep (what a combination) stretch of road between Mont Ventoux and Malaucene, I reached 50mph without any pedaling, then the gravity of what I was doing sunk in, and I used a bit of brake.

But, hey, I have the perfect excuse, don't I? "It wasn't me, Your Honour, I swear. It was the bike and the road that did it: they were in cahoots!".

This was the fun bit, by the way, at 11:00 in the video below:

 

[Ming the Merciless]

I avoid this problem by only cycling uphill. But the problem I am now encountering is lack of oxygen.

 

[alicat]

I think there is an age at which we instinctively get more cautious in the sure knowledge that we don't bounce as easily as we used to. For me it was early 50s.

 

[Moodyman]

The year before last, when descending the long, smooth, straight and steep (what a combination) stretch of road between Mont Ventoux and Malaucene, I reached 50mph without any pedaling, then the gravity of what I was doing sunk in, and I used a bit of brake.

But, hey, I have the perfect excuse, don't I? "It wasn't me, Your Honour, I swear. It was the bike and the road that did it: they were in cahoots!".

This was the fun bit, by the way, at 11:00 in the video below:

Friggin hell. I thought you set the video on fast forward mode. You were certainly moving.