mike868y

i'm awful at descending, especially in races. almost always filter to the back. something i really need to work on.

Creatre

I used to be bad at descending until my coach got me fit properly. Now I can descend just fine. Amazing what that does.

On the same note, at River Gorge RR a couple weeks ago. There was this guy that kept out climbing everyone on the climbs, and then would get dropped on the descents. Rinse/repeat. Fwiw, doesn't matter how good you climb if you can't descend with the group.

MDcatV

unless you climb well enough that the group cant catch you on the descents.

i like to descend from the front. it lets me choose the lines, lets me see what's ahead (i'm short and if i'm behind just about anyone except mikey, i cant see over them), and i'm a reasonably competent descender so i'm not in anyone's way.

i think the keys are technique and confidence. a proper fit adds to both. one of the best things i've done for descending is going to a smaller drop and shorter reach handlebar. it puts me in the "slot" i like to be in position wise, and my short chubby fingers can reach the levers if need be. i've seen people who cant reach their brake levers while in the drops without stretching their hands or dropping their elbows more to get to them, and they usually descend skittishly.

Grumpy McTrumpy

descents are my chance to move up. the more twisty the better.

mike868y

i hate to sound all "woe is me" but yeah, I think this is part of my struggles with descending. could be i'm just a ***** though.

thechemist

https://velonews.competitor.com/2013/...rankset_301441
quite a read on this new crank system, seems very intriguing for the gains it claims

rkwaki

I am decent on the descent

big john

I get dropped on the climbs but I get destroyed on the descents. I'm high up and not very aerodynamic. Oh, sure, if it's a long straight drop I go fast but if it's twisty the little people get away. Of course, my vision isn't so good these days and I wuss out a bit, too.

An ex-runner, a really good one, started riding with us and smoked most of the decent climbers on the climbs but had a bunch of crashes on descents. Had a brain injury from one of the crashes and blacked out in his car on the way to work. A passer-by called 911 and he was rushed to emergency brain surgery. He came back somewhat humbled from the arrogant prick he once was, but eventually went back to being a jerk. Don't know where he is now.

bmcphx

Thankfully I'm in the top 5% usually when it comes to climbing so when we have to go back down and I'm slow as can be, the field only catches me instead of dropping me.

topflightpro

If given an open line, I am great at descending - I think this relates back to my time spent skateboarding and mountain biking. Things get tricky when in fields.

Of course, I suck going up hill, so it helps to be able to get down fast.

JohnKScott

Howdy guys. Been away for a bit and just caught up. Glad I didn't read about any crashes or injuries or other bad stuff.

I have been enjoying the Vuelta so far. Looking forward to watching some fun racing over the next couple of weeks.

My daughter made her middle school tennis team. She hasn't played much tennis (like almost none) and isn't that good. But it's looking like she might be catching on quickly enough to make the 6th or 7th slot on the team as long as she keeps working. So she will hopefully be playing doubles in their matches rather than just sitting and watching. She is athletically inclined if she can keep her joints healthy (especially knees from growth) and wants to put in the effort. She is now taller than I am at 5'11" and I don't think she's quite done yet.

With her recent interest in tennis I have been watching a fair amount of US Open matches the last week or so. I have to say, it is fascinating and addicting. Tennis is cool. I may have to start playing more tennis myself!

On the down side, I fracked up my knee bowling (believe it or not). Same one as I had surgery on 3 years ago (trimmed up my meniscus). I really hope I'm wrong but it feels like the same thing and I suspect another surgery in my near future. The crappy part is I'm not able to jog or play tennis with my daughter right now. That makes me . I can ride it seems, but I'm staying away from climbing. Knee seems stiff after riding but doesn't hurt. RICE & Ibuprofen..Sigh...

revchuck 

And indecent on everything else?

merlinextraligh

I have to descend well to have a prayer. Go to the front before the climb, filter back through the group on the climb. Hope the group is still in sight at the top of the climb. Bomb the descent to catch the group before the bottom of the descent.

Rinse, repeat.

merlinextraligh

Couple of road races we've done on the tandem we've been in the mid sixties on descents.

At Master's Nats we attacked on the descent of Mt Bachelor, knowing our only hope was getting away on the downhill before the climbs.

Fat Boy

You want to see a wuss descender? Watch me on a mountain bike. It's freakin' pathetic.

Ygduf

those Zencranks seem like a good idea. Worrysome to put 2 bearings in the system, especially the bearings in the crankarm (unless they are easily replaceable).

And UCI compliant? For now, I'd guess.

Ygduf

I am a good road descender, cannot descend on dirt or gravel or even if the road sounds sandy. My brain doesn't allow it.

thechemist

Yup, I would imagine though that most would have to switch to speedplay for crits. They look like a real PITA to clip into. I can't imagine they will be to pricey either!
@JohnKScott Heal up man, hope it is not what you think it is.

mattm

weird

Creatre

My girlfriend is a serious bowler. She keeps trying to get me to bowl, but I keep refusing because I can't risk injuries like that. Bowling is surprisingly really hard on ligaments/muscles, especially so since it really only places the pressure on one side of your body.

Creatre

I used to be this way. But after doing some mountain biking last year, then this year battenkill and a few descents on gravel roads in the mountains of NC, I feel much much better about descending non asphalt roads.

rkwaki

We went bowling one time after a meeting. The lanes had radar guns on them so Big Ole Stupid me had to throw the ball as hard as possible (tequila doesn't help), I think I hit 32 mph and just about threw out my back, shoulder, hip and elbow (took me a few to get it going) - we were worried the pins would turn to dust but it was ****ing hilarious to watch...

Fat Boy

I'm awesome at bowling. I can often break 100. Don't be so serious, none of us get out of life alive. Time with your lady doing something she wants is rarely a bad thing.

rkwaki

I'm a ****ing hoot to bowl, golf, ride, eat, etc. with as I don't take much seriously...

Fat Boy

Ya, but when it comes to racing (i.e. _real_ racing). It's much better to have me inside the tent pissing out rather than outside the tent pissing in. The deal is, when you switch off, then switch off....ya know?