Commuting - hand signals on a descent?

Are you able to signal a turn while going downhill? I find that taking my hands of the brakes to do this makes me feel very unstable... is this just an experience issue (i have only been riding my road bike for a year or so) or is it legitimately difficult. there is one part of my commute where i need turn left at a 4-way stop at the bottom of a hill - i usually don't encounter cars there, but when i do i want to be able to let them know where i am going. i'm sure i will find myself other situations where this skill would be helpful. i guess my being very left-handed might also exacerbate the problem. any suggestions?

Do you continue braking while you start to signal? I feel the same way about being unstable, also lack of experience, but the braking helps stabilize me. Not coming to a stop or anything, but just a little preasure.

You should be able to signal on a descent. I don't have a hairy stop and I have flat(ter) bars, and I'm right-handed, but I have a daily descent on my ride to work on a narrow 2-lane road with no shoulder. I frequently wave cars by on a straightaway, use a "left" signal to take the lane, give a "one-minute" signal that I'll be out of the lane soon, and wave thank you to cars (if they've been patient) where the road widens out.

Depending on where on the hill you are going to signal, you may have to bleed off a little speed anticipating reduced braking when signaling. You should be telegraphing your turn with your lane position anyway.

This all sound good. I would add a rear view mirror so you can see if signalling is even necessary. There are enough cyclists around here that almost all motorists know that if a cyclist tooks over a shoulder a lane change is likely. A few of them even slow down and wave you over. There are even bike turn signals out there but I doubt if motorists would react to them

I always try and make at least a little eye contact with the driver closest to me. It always seems that once you make eye contact, they give you a little more space/respect. You can also indicate your direction even if you're unable to take your hands off the bar - over exaggerating the body language for taking a corner is one easy way, and looking in the direction of your turn/lane change lets drivers know.

You should not go down hills dragging your brakes continously, as this can cook your tires on long descents. Practice letting your speed build up, letting wind resistance dissipate most of your energy, with ocassional hard braking when necessary. Use a mirror to determine when is the best time to move out, then look over shoulder, signal and move across one lane at a time. As said above, looking over your shoulder is a pretty clear indication to drivers behind that you are likely to change lane position.

Thanks for the tips! I felt much more comfortable this morning.

Thanks for the tips! I felt much more comfortable this morning.