The benefit of winter

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I know spring is categorically not here yet but, for about four hours today, it did feel like it in the Yorkshire Dales and, whilst judiciously descending something long-ish, high-ish, and potentiallly-covered-in-snow&ice-ish I realised that, once the slipperiness hazard has gone, I'll have one fewer excuse for 'cautious descending' and may well feel obliged to go faster downhill. I recall, having started cycling last August, thinking that I'd leave it 'til 2015 to practise descending quickly. Oh dear - not far off time to man up soon then :ph34r:

So there ARE upsides to winter cycling! Collectively: more excuses for all sorts of things.
 

Gatters

Senior Member
Location
Right Here
It's winter all year on my descents
 
Remember to look where you want to go not where you fear ending up - or you'll end up where you fear
Thanks. I must make a list of good ideas for safe descents in the next month or so, and that's a very good one. Shouting at any sheep on the side of roads in advance is another one: they have a habit of startling and jumping into the road otherwise, which is unhelpful ;-)
 
If I can't see ahead, I'm a descending wuss :-(
 

Accy cyclist

Legendary Member
There'a a short steep hill near me where you can reach 50 mph for about 15 seconds. I've reached 50mph on it a few times but the last time i was covering and touching my brakes and managed 41mph. I think that's enough for me these days.
 

byegad

Legendary Member
Location
NE England
I came down that last September and, not yet having the brain removal facility, braked ...... quite a lot of the way down I think.

Remember that Recumbents descend a lot faster than DFs so I'm used to speed down hill and have two front wheels equipped with disc brakes so can brake a lot harder than traditional Diamond Frame bikes. I topped 50mph a couple of times on that long descent despite braking for some of the bends.
 

Kbrook

Veteran
I also cycle in the Dales, I am still rubbish at descending. You always have those really nice dry stone walls to help you stop if you are going to fast. My only off was on a descent on a cattle grid, plenty of those in the Dales. I have vastly improved going uphill but descending I am and will remain cautious. You spend that long going up you might as well enjoy the descent.
 
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