They pedal going downhill on their light carbon bikes

[Accy cyclist]

On my recent run outs with the group of cyclists i've joined, i've noticed that nearly all of them pedal going downhill even on the steepest descents, I've checked out their bikes while riding alongside them and all (bar one which is steel) have carbon fibre frames and i presume carbon forks. Not all of the riders are what you'd call lightweights, so you'd think their weight would be enough to carry them down the hills without effort. I have a fairly hefty aluminium bike weighing around 10.5 kilos, but i find myself having to brake to avoid running into them on the descents. I hardly pedal as i descend steep downhills. I know they have the advantage on the climbs but surely these things will equal themselves out over the course of a ride?

 

[Globalti]

Maybe they were pedalling downhill in the hope of having some momentum for the uphill bit?

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

Perhaps they are using their descending time to spin their legs off a bit and recover.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

I get the point you are trying to question.

But, don't you ever pedal when going downhill?

Seems an odd thing to me not to.

 

[screenman]

So you think 3 kilo makes that much difference, maybe they pedal downhill because they choose to.

 

[Big Dave laaa]

Pedal all the time it clears the acid from your legs after the climbs and stops them stiffening up before the next climb. Personal preference entirely but that's one reason for doing it.

 

[Justinslow]

And it helps you go even faster

 

[winjim]

Heavy things don't fall any faster than light things.

 

[Venod]

Perhaps you are far more aerodynamic than the rest of them.

 

[themosquitoking]

Heavy things don't fall any faster than light things.

Yes they do, unless those things are in a vacuum and that sort of environment isn't great for cycling.

 

[Milkfloat]

Heavy things don't fall any faster than light things.

I don't think even the hills up north are that steep.

@Accy cyclist Plug in the numbers here. http://www.gribble.org/cycling/power_v_speed.html

 

[mjr]

Some people have told me continuously pedalling, even under no load, keeps their weight shifting on the saddle and avoids bruising the same bit of the bum as they hit lumps on our rough roads.

Me, I've a comfy sprung saddle and pedalling downhill is against my beliefs

 

[Dirk]

Coasting down my favourite hill - 37 mph.
Pedalling down it - 48 mph.
No contest!

 

[ColinJ]

Coasting down my favourite hill - 37 mph.
Pedalling down it - 48 mph.
No contest!

Coasting down one of my favourite hills (in aero tuck) - 52 mph.
Pedalling down it - no effect because I can't spin fast enough to engage the freehub!

 

[Simontm]

I've always thought it was for recovery. Keeps the lactic acid from building up after a climb.