Some more advice
- Thread starter spennie
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young Ed
Veteran
i find i have learnt brake control to a high level, if that makes sense!
i admit when i borrowed someones £1,800 carbon bike and they were riding behind me i went down a new to me hill that hand some nasty sharp blind corners a bit too fast and hit a wet patch in the road and felt the rear wheel sliding under me!
at this moment i s**t my self and managed to ease off the brakes a little as i think i just have accidentally locked them on very slightly (very powerful shimano 105 brakes) this brought it back up and under control again 
what i am saying is learn to use your brakes to their full potential
also are you hitting any rough patches of the road? strong winds?
Cheers Ed
i admit when i borrowed someones £1,800 carbon bike and they were riding behind me i went down a new to me hill that hand some nasty sharp blind corners a bit too fast and hit a wet patch in the road and felt the rear wheel sliding under me!
at this moment i s**t my self and managed to ease off the brakes a little as i think i just have accidentally locked them on very slightly (very powerful shimano 105 brakes) this brought it back up and under control again what i am saying is learn to use your brakes to their full potential
also are you hitting any rough patches of the road? strong winds?
Cheers Ed
Last edited:
dan_bo
How much does it cost to Oldham?
I find leaning in and pedalling like buggery helps with this.
Only joking- shift your weight backwards and let the bike move beneath you. Stay loose. Enjoy it.
Only joking- shift your weight backwards and let the bike move beneath you. Stay loose. Enjoy it.
Mr Haematocrit
msg me on kik for android
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Some people get going fast and they tense up; others get going fast and they only want to go faster. It's a comfort-level thing. Your comfort level is determined somewhat by genetics (some are just wired to go fast), but mostly by practice and confidence. The more sure you feel about your bike and your ability to handle it, the more comfortable you're going to feel about the speeds you reach as you fly down a hill.
The steeper the hill, the more your weight should be back on the saddle. Pressure on the rear wheel helps with braking and with cornering. Make sure your grip is relaxed.
Can't say I have an issue with descending other than wanting to go faster than I currently am, its a rush.
The steeper the hill, the more your weight should be back on the saddle. Pressure on the rear wheel helps with braking and with cornering. Make sure your grip is relaxed.
Can't say I have an issue with descending other than wanting to go faster than I currently am, its a rush.
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young Ed
Veteran
i find a Garmin on the bars only worsens ones need and urge to go faster and faster as you are constantly glancing down at the Garmin to get the speed reading and then pushing it harder and harder and faster and faster!
my top speed is 34.6 so far i think
Cheers Ed
Mr Haematocrit
msg me on kik for android
- Location
- Out of the saddle
my top speed is 34.6 so far i think
You want to try this Amersham Hill in Wycombe, you can see how long it is in the link for street view below... Apparently you can exceed the speed limit for this road, which is something I would know nothing about
but its seriously scary fast due to the length of the hill road, awesome rush. 
goo.gl/hFMCPX
Mr Haematocrit
msg me on kik for android
- Location
- Out of the saddle
Weight Back, Move Forward: As you move down the slope, keep your rear end as far back on the saddle as seems wise without losing control of the bike. If the front end seems wobbly, or skips from side to side, you are probably playing it too safe—leaning too far back. This is more apparent on bikes with front suspensions. They require more give and take. Adjust accordingly by the feel.
Stay Low: Hold your body as close to the bike as possible. Hanging limbs create ungainly movements. Suspension systems may take the jolt out of many rough descents, but your legs and arms are the most effective shock absorbers you have. Keep your elbows bent at an angle slightly greater than 90 degrees and avoid gripping the handlebars too tightly. Relaxing your muscles is the key to maneuverability. How can you tell if you're gripping the handle too tightly? Drum the handlebar with your fingers. If you find it difficult, you're holding on too tightly.
Even if you have suspension, you want your legs relaxed and ready to take bumps. On a hardtail bike this is even more important. To soak up the bumps, get your weight back, grip the seat with your thighs and keep your knees bent and relaxed.
Maintain Your Platform: Your feet should be at 3 and 9 o'clock position. This is called the platform and is the best position for your feet unless you're negotiating tight corners. From this position you are centered on your bike and well balanced. Reacting from this position is a simple process of shifting your weight forward, back, or side to side.
Fluid Descending: Your balancing act isn't the only thing you can do to keep your bike moving down those steep slopes smoothly. The route you choose and your brake control contribute to a fluid descent as well.
Pick a Line: A beginner's mistake is looking at spots you want to avoid rather than focusing on where you want to go. Pick a path and stick to it. Fix your eyes on your chosen path. Scan ahead for future hazards. Make sure your head is roughly parallel to your top tube, and look ahead. Remember that foresight is the precursor to all maneuvering. Knowing hazards ahead of time can help you adjust your balance.
Control Your Speed: You want to blaze down the trail, feel the wind on your face, get that adrenaline rush. Sure. That's part of what cycling is all about. But chances are you are not alone on the trail or road. You could run over an unsuspecting hiker or another bicyclist and that would bring your speed reign to an abrupt halt. This doesn't mean you can't go fast—it just means you need to learn to control your speed.
Stay Low: Hold your body as close to the bike as possible. Hanging limbs create ungainly movements. Suspension systems may take the jolt out of many rough descents, but your legs and arms are the most effective shock absorbers you have. Keep your elbows bent at an angle slightly greater than 90 degrees and avoid gripping the handlebars too tightly. Relaxing your muscles is the key to maneuverability. How can you tell if you're gripping the handle too tightly? Drum the handlebar with your fingers. If you find it difficult, you're holding on too tightly.
Even if you have suspension, you want your legs relaxed and ready to take bumps. On a hardtail bike this is even more important. To soak up the bumps, get your weight back, grip the seat with your thighs and keep your knees bent and relaxed.
Maintain Your Platform: Your feet should be at 3 and 9 o'clock position. This is called the platform and is the best position for your feet unless you're negotiating tight corners. From this position you are centered on your bike and well balanced. Reacting from this position is a simple process of shifting your weight forward, back, or side to side.
Fluid Descending: Your balancing act isn't the only thing you can do to keep your bike moving down those steep slopes smoothly. The route you choose and your brake control contribute to a fluid descent as well.
Pick a Line: A beginner's mistake is looking at spots you want to avoid rather than focusing on where you want to go. Pick a path and stick to it. Fix your eyes on your chosen path. Scan ahead for future hazards. Make sure your head is roughly parallel to your top tube, and look ahead. Remember that foresight is the precursor to all maneuvering. Knowing hazards ahead of time can help you adjust your balance.
Control Your Speed: You want to blaze down the trail, feel the wind on your face, get that adrenaline rush. Sure. That's part of what cycling is all about. But chances are you are not alone on the trail or road. You could run over an unsuspecting hiker or another bicyclist and that would bring your speed reign to an abrupt halt. This doesn't mean you can't go fast—it just means you need to learn to control your speed.
young Ed
Veteran
got a hill near me where i always hammer it down and then half way down or so i see the same 30 mph sign and try to give it some more to break it but just can't as i have already killed itYou want to try this Amersham Hill in Wycombe, you can see how long it is in the link for street view below... Apparently you can exceed the speed limit for this road, which is something I would know nothing about
goo.gl/hFMCPX
next time i will learn to not put in any effort until i see the sign and than i shall become a Cheers Ed