Riding downhill

Date: Jun 6, 2007

Riding downhill

Date: Jun 6, 2007

Hi Susan. Just a few thoughts on your concerns. First, you are right to respect the descents. They are tricky. But all sorts of people will be descending them also. West Jefferson sits at an elevation of 3200 ft. I don't know the route, but I'll wager we will not climb to 5000ft. Also, the fast steep descents are found on the first day. That's when we'll come down off the Blue Ridge.If you have hills where you ride, I'd suggest practicing downhills on them. It will increase your confidence. Also learn cycling techniques to safely descend. Not only what kind of pressure to apply to your brakes, but riding positions to help slow down and take curves. Here' a link to start with, but you can Google to find more tips.
http://www.bikeleague.org/resources/better/advancedcycling.php
I do hope you can join us, and enjoy the whole experience.

Ride safely,
Dari (NC cyclist)

Date: Jun 6, 2007

Thank you Dari .... I will take your advice and look forward to doing this ride.

Date: Jun 6, 2007

I did CNC last October and loved it! But just before heading up there, I heard from some guys who have done north-Georgia's Six Gap Century that continually keeping the brakes on can overheat the rims and cause a blowout!

So, coming downhill from parking on the arrival day, I practiced fanning the brakes, and trying to alternate between the front brake (powerful) and the rear brake (not so powerful, because of the length of cable). I stopped at an overlook, felt the rims, they were warm but not hot, so I figured I was doing OK.

And sure enough, on the first day on the road, there was one cyclist who was too heavy on the brakes and had a blowout. I heard from somebody who saw it that it was pretty spectacular! biggrin

Date: Jun 7, 2007

Susan,
From someone who was just like you, but who now enjoys going fast on descents, be very careful "riding your brakes all the way" down. Instead, when you are sure there is no one behind you, brake hard and slow yourself entirely, then coast again until you feel you are too fast, and then, when you are sure there is no one behind you, brake hard again to slow yourself almost entirely, etc. This pattern keeps you in control while not having a blow-out due to over braking, does not wear out your brakes, and does not throw you off balance while riding in curves with brakes on. You should work on "riding the brakes" as that is not a very good idea in general. Also, use your shoulders as a "sail" to increase your wind resistance (riding on the tops--not the best handling but more resistance) or decrease your wind resistance (riding in the drops--better handling but faster). Remember, and be sure to remind yourself, that speed is not the only variable related to safety--breaking in corners can throw you off balance, into the traffic lane, lossing your front tire, etc. Better to go into the corner going slow and riding around it with no brakes, then after you clear the corner braking really hard, then coasting into next one slow, etc. Or, God forbid, get into a corner and just ride it out as braking once into a corner can get much, much trickier.

Last year, all the significant descents were the first two days--but the first day down into Boone and beyond the descents were hard core, wet, covered in leaves, with tons of folks riding all over the place. It was a good idea to leave before the pack to give yourself some time in those situations. Also, the CNC staff are AWESOME at posting issues before the ride, or on the cue sheets, or, even, last year there were a few times when descents had gravel in the curves--and they had CAUTION and WARNING signs posted alongside the road.

You can do this, but like all things meaningful, you have to practice and take it seriously! And have fun!!!

sh

Date: Jun 8, 2007

Thanks Scott. I will practice. My plans will be too leave early the first two days before the pack. Besides, the view of the mountains when the sun rises must be breathtaking

Date: Jun 8, 2007

Susan,
One last note re: a few things--sorry if this is too much info, but, again, we have all been where you are. In my experience, descending and cornering share much of the same skill set; practice cornering and you will be a far more confident descender. Also, practice and get an intimate relationship with your brakes and your bike! Around here we practice cornering in empty parking lots, empty Business Parks, or in your neighborhood when there is very little traffic. We use a business park after 7 at night or on the weekends. Weight distribution (all of your weight) goes on the outside pedal of the curve and hands either push or pull the bars, depending on their side. Inside hand pushes bar away, outside hand pulls bar toward while outside leg stands on outside pedal with all your body weight and inside leg is soft. Just practice that.

Also, brakes are not equal--front brake has the most power by far, but if your wheel is not perpendicular to the road when you use it, the wheel can slip out on you and throw you way off balance. So practice slidding way back on the saddle while perpendicular and braking hard--start slow and build up to being able to slid back on the saddle, barking hard enough to almost skid (but not) and stop in the shortest distance possible at high speed on your bike using both brakes--but mostly front. You will see immediately what the difference is between front and back brakes.

Practice these skills, get your miles in, and you will Rock CNC '07.

Peace Out!
sh

Date: Jun 11, 2007

Susan,

There are many technical tips. Most over my head.

It's simple: once you go over 30 mph, become very aware of what's ahead and around you. I suggest slowing down, because a hard crash on day 1 is not a good way to start a week tour.

Alternating brakes is a good idea. Brake before the turn. Watch out for stones or leaves a strom or traffic leave in the line you wish to steer thru a turn. Be able to manuever a foot or so each way of your desired line, and watch for tree limbs fallen into the road, etc.

Try to have no one around you when descending, I like to pick my lane placement w/o being encumbered w someone on my right or left. Watch out for knuckleheads descending too fast & overtaking you. Folks will overtake you with a 10 mph speed differential, you have to watch out for those knuckleheads because they are on adrelinan and not watching out for the other guy.

If you are carrying gear, use extra caution. That mass will melt your brakes and cook your tires, and raises your CG which creates stability issues in turns.

it's an excellent idea to leave after sunrise but before the masses, you can descend your way. You are smart to see it.

Lastly, when you get to camp after day one, all you will hear is folks talking about they hit 47 mph, I hit 48 mph, etc. Look at those folks carefully, and stay away from them on day 2 and on. They are major risk takers riding way too fast on a course they don't know with people of all abilities. Frankly, rather dumb IMHO.

Date: Jun 12, 2007

Thank you Jack for your advice. This is a great forum.

Date: Jun 30, 2007

Hi Susan,

You've gotten some good tips for taking on major descents. Here are a few more.

1. Use a rear view mirror. With a mirror you can see if you have a pack of bikes or cars behind you. If the coast is relatively clear behind you, you will have more maneuvering room as you descend. The mirror will actually come in handy the entire trip. It can help you avoid OCS (oblivious cyclist syndrome), which is unfortunately all too common at Cycle N.C.

2. Follow an out-in-out line in tight turns. Use this technique only after practice and where road conditions permit. In sharp curves, follow an arc that runs from the right side of the lane in toward the center line then back out to the right side of the lane. Using the lane in this way actually makes the curve straighter. (Also makes 'em faster and more fun as your confidence grows.)

3. Look, look, look for your line. Hopefully our big descent down the Blue Ridge will be silky smooth, but chances are there may be gravel, road kill or uneven pavement. If there is something on the road you want to avoid, don't fixate on it. Look at the clear path and your bike will magically follow.

4. If you're braking hard, slide back on the saddle. Hard braking shifts weight forward. Sliding back keeps you in better control.

5. Stay focused. When you're zipping along downhill, a moment's inattentiveness can throw you completely off track. A few years ago, I had a strap come loose on my shoe on a big descent. Without thinking I looked down at the shoe and, in a flash, found myself off the pavement and on a narrow shoulder at high speed. The bike usually will go where you are looking, and that can be a good or a bad thing, depending on where your attention is.

6. Stay as loose as you can. It's easy to get tensed up, but try to keep a bend in your arms instead of locking them up. Think of them as shock absorbers.

A lot of CNC riders say the big descent the first day is the high point of their entire tour. With some practice, you can gain confidence descending and hopefully have fun on your first big descent.

Tim Murphy
Author
Road Cycling the Blue Ridge High Country

Date: Jul 3, 2007

I guess I'm in the minority here, but I don't remember the descents last year being anything scary or crazy. They were fun. I left with the pack the first day and took it easy. The road was a little wet, but I guess all of the cyclists that left at the crack of dawn cleared out the leaves because I don't remember that being an issue. The sun was warming things up and the road had started to dry. Perhaps it was the fact that I was riding an old hybrid that I'd had for years and felt very comfortable on, and that it seats me upright which isn't very aerodynamic. There's a hill that I hit on my way home from work everyday that I've gotten up to 34 MPH on. I'm sure I was going even faster at CNC, but I always felt in control. I wouldn't fret about it. You'll be fine.

Date: Jul 5, 2007

thanks ridgerider! The ride I did this weekend, someone told me not to look s down but rather look forward and it did make a difference.

Date: Jul 20, 2007

Susan, I am also a first time rider in Cycle NC, with only three years experience. Thanks for asking the question. I have learned a lot from the responses. I live not too far from Elkin, and I know the area we will be riding in on the first day. The trip down will be great fun, and I am more concerned with the large number of people. Hope to get to meet you!

Date: Aug 14, 2007

SueEllen

I am also looking forward to this ride, I really love the mountains. Hope to meet you too and other nice people. I just have to not get stressed out about putting my tent up and down. See you there!