recon455

Yesterday I did a 26 mile descent, probably 50-60 minutes. I gotta say, after the first few minutes, it wasn't that fun. I ended up having a lose-lose situation, where if I sat up, I would get colder and it would take longer to get down, and if I stayed in the drops my hands and neck would hurt. I just wanted to get it over with.

Does this happen to you on long descents, where you just get tired of it?

mrvile

Soudns like your fit might need a little tweaking.

Tinton

I don't think that sounds like a problem with the descent itself.
There are more "descend-able" hand positions than the binary drops/sitting up choice you seemed to have to make.

And if you're becoming jaded, perhaps you're not going fast enough. Descents should include as much giggling as possible.

DaveSSS 

A descent that long can get tiring. I do a lot of the same descent (Deer Creek Canyon - about 700 times) that's only about 10 miles and it's great fun. Descending the 28 miles from the top of Mt. Evans to Idaho Springs, not so fun with the crummy roads on most of Mt. Evans.

I don't feel real safe on most descents, unless I'm in the drops where I can brake hard if necessary and have the best steering control. Riding the from the brake hoods is OK when the road straightens out, but there's still the chance of neededing to brake hard for deer.

If you're getting cold, you didn't bring the right clothing. On a short 10 mile descent, I can tolerate being a little chilly.

Velo Vol 

Shorter descents can be fun, though I don't care for ones where I have to ride my brakes a lot.

I sometimes do get uncomfortable on longer ones. Muscles sometimes tense up or I even start cramping up a bit depending on conditions.

Phantoj

Personally I find a challenging climb more attractive than a hair-raising descent.

pchopper

I prefer the long, gradual descents rather than super fast ones, where I end up riding the brake most of the way. Of course that means climbing up the hard way, but I still prefer short and brutal suffering to sustained grinding.

johnny99

I love long descents. There's a 20 mile downhill near me that's a blast (Mt. Hamilton in San Jose). It has dozens of switchbacks, but the grade never gets real steep. The only thing I don't like about it is 2 small uphills in the middle that upset the rhythm of the descent.

I do ride the drops the whole way down, and I do wear a jacket on cooler days.

sakonnetclip

Living at sea level I'm not sure I can even comprehend a 26 mile descent and it's been 20 years since I rode in the mountains.

Yesterday I did tear up one of the big descents in the area. It was at least 200 feet.

Bluechip

Coming down Haleakala (about 30 miles and 10,000 ft.) was a blast even though I had a slowly leaking rear tire. I was beginning to think my descending skills sucked because I couldn't keep up with the rest of the group even though I out weighed everyone else by at least 20lbs. It went totally flat about 2/3s of the way down after most of the fun parts were behind us.

Val23708

I just went down a nice 4 mile descent (2000ft drop) today. (Kings Mtn Rd in NorCal) . I think its fun when its a little challenging. I love hitting the corners hard and linking turns.

coasting 

my descents typically last up to 10 seconds

1NatsFan

+1 for the climbs

umd

I love descents, but yeah the super-long ones can get a little annoying, especially if they are windy.

ptle

I've done an 11 mile descent. It was over quicker than I expect, but was really fun. I didn't have to touch the brakes more than a few times (probably didn't need too). I do admit that my neck began to be sore after staying in a aero tuck/drops.

Yaniel

I don't know what descending is.

DataJunkie

Short and quick descents are amusing. Long boring descents are not. I would rather climb.

Mr. Beanz

I really don't like descending at all, but it's a must to get down the mtn! One of the rides I've done has a 40 mile descent. Not that it hurts or is uncomfy, but more like "let this be over already!"

ZXiMan

Yes, if the road is good and the descent not too dangerous, it can be fun....

CyciumX

Going down is awesome... each time trying to ride the brakes less and less. Only bad part is the day I find out I didn't brake enough ....

ElJamoquio

Descents suck.

ahsposo 

Oh My! I would love a 26 mile descent.

Descents are the reward for climbing as far as I'm concerned.

Climbing to me is hard labor and the pay off is the drop. I see these rides that feature a grueling mountain top finish and I just can't get excited.

Urthwhyte

Wait...what's this hill and mountain thing everyone keeps talking about?

umd

Did you do the White Mountain descent at the end of EC last year, or did you get a ride down? That one gets a little old after a while.

ElJamoquio

I did both days (I don't remember which one White Mtn is). As I recall, both got a little old for me... but at least I had a jacket in the support truck.

The worst thing is in 'real' life when you do nothing but freeze on the way down. Try training in San Jose in the winter... 40 MPH wind chill, 40 degrees, rain...