Tips on Descending

After a weekend camp in Ashville, the following email came to me via The Cycling House and I wanted to share. I learned to ride a bike as an adult training for my first Ironman. I lived in Georgia for 8 years but was to scared to ride in the mountains until I moved to Jacksonville and found myself signed up for the Furnace Creek 508 with 35,000 ft of gain/ decent, most in the dark.  I am still terrified of descending but as Shawn reminded as I was white knuckling Sunday coming down from Mt Michell, if I can learn to descend then I have a chance coming down from Hawi despite my swim at Kona.  Also, this is "free speed" having nothing to due with your fitness and everything to do with practice. Just like a transition time. 

Look at how happy I am climbing

In full disclosure , watching him and Lane descend like it was second nature got me very frustrated with my complete lack of ability in that department. I was not in a happy place by the time we started our T-run and intended to make them pay for the fact that I was still playing with My Little Pony's in the '90's when they where riding motorcycles and dirt bikes.

7 Tips to Improve your 

Descending on the Bike

 

1. Relax

If you're nervous, breath deeply and relax your upper body. Keep a firm grip on the bars but don't squeeze too tight. Avoid being in the aero bars unless you're very familiar with the road. 

  

2. Look Through the Corner

Always look at where you want to go, not where you don't want to go. Practice looking through the corner. This will help you commit to the correct line through the corner and give you the time to adjust for any unplanned hazards or obstacles. 

3. Brake Before the Corner

Reduce your speed before you hit the corner, and then let off the brakes going through it.

4. Outside Pedal Down

Always have your outside pedal down and that leg fully extended as you ride through the corner. 

5. Weight the Inside Handlebar

With your inside hand, add pressure to your inside handle bar as you go through the corner. With practice, you'll notice that the shift will steer you through the corner. 

6. Hit the Apex

"outside, inside, outside". That means when entering the corner, setup to the outside of your lane, then turn inside towards the apex of the corner. Once you've passed the apex, drift to the outside of the lane and continue down the descent. 

  

7. Follow Somebody Better Than You

Descending behind more experienced riders allow you to see the motions from start to finish. Pay special attention to the way they shift their weight throughout the ride and try to mimic it on your own turns.