Riding down steps...... the thought of it scares me :(

[dan_bo]

I've done about 5 steps on my fixed, not to be repeated - quite something on fixed gear.
.

Sod that.

 

[Pumpkin the robot]

Not since the demise of the cycling proficiency.

So it is not just driving standards that are slipping?

 

[Jody]

I've done about 5 steps on my fixed, not to be repeated - quite something on fixed gear.
.

Sounds interesting. Do they have brakes?

 

[Drago]

I don't enjoy it, but i do it. The city of london plod cycle patrol boys really fling themselves down steps.

 

[Levo-Lon]

I like steps..its a treat around my way to actually have something technical to ride down..
railway bridges are a favourite..

 

[Globalti]

Used to ride steps a lot on the mountain bike especially the Wednesday evening "suburban" rides which worked their way around the outskirts of towns like Burnley and Darwen. When I went back to rigid forks I got a bit less comfortable with steps.

The bad ones are the outdoor steps with a wood front where the dirt tread has become eroded and sunk down, meaning the wheel drops into a small dip before rolling over the lip. I hated them.

 

[Saluki]

A friend of mine can roller skate down stairs.

I have one of those friends too. Regularly goes down backwards on his rollerblades. Rather him than me, I don't have that sort of skill on 'blades. I certainly don't have that confidence either.
I can't go down steps on my bikes, not sure I'd want to learn either.

 

[Scotchlovingcylist]

A a kid I would bomb down steps, the more the better. Nowadays it doesnt even enter my head, especially on a road bike. I must admit the idiot in me would probably try and ride down one of these with my 23c tyres

 

[vernon]

There's a race around the old town each year. Plenty of steps...


View: https://youtu.be/irczUqBW5G0

Far too poncy and pedestrian. Learn from the Chileans' approach to descending steps....

 

[cyberknight]

Going down is no problem..... Going back up needs a bit more practice

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mpzm7b30mj0

Beat me to it !

 

[fossyant]

Sounds interesting. Do they have brakes?

Yes it does but forgetting you still have to pedal and can't just stand on the pedals and use your legs as shock absorbers is a bit of a shock. Won't try that again.

 

[Cuchilo]

Good question. I always like to try things that seem difficult or scary ..... at my age I shouldn't be thinking about cycling down steps but it's been on my mind

You could practice in a lift and then move on to stairs

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I don't recommend combining this with the steps.

Go for it - steps are fun, and easy on an mtb (especially one with suspension). Just choose a not-too-steep and not-too-long flight for your first go, and one where you can see it's clear at the bottom. Get your weight back and stay off the brakes! One tip, though - if you ride with your seat quite high, drop it. It is possible, if your seat is too high, to get stuck behind your saddle so that you can barely reach the bars. This may not necessarily result in a crash, but it will make you look like a right tit. DAHIKT.

^This

Steps/stairs are just a bumpy steep (or not depending on the incline) slope. The Big Dummy goes down a flight of concrete stairs every time I ride it into town and I once got chastised by a Met cycling copper for riding a Boris down the stairs at the end of Waterloo Place.

Back in the 90's I rode an mtb from the sixth floor landing of the building I worked in down to reception for a bet. Took a bit of practice (out-of-hours) to cope with the U-turns on the landings. I then tried to race the lift and lost 3 - 0.

 

[Spoked Wheels]

View: https://youtu.be/LH2rNy__LpM

This is the technique I'd use I think.....

Cheers for that

 

[Globalti]

There's a long flight of steps just outside Hebden Bridge, which must take some balls to ride. I bet @ColinJ knows the name of the place.