I've got to hand it to you Artkansas,

When it comes to the important skill sets for cycling, you zeroed right in on the most important one !

Okay, Cornering While Descending, I get this a lot from riders I introduce to Glendora Mountain Road, who are insecure on the descent after doing just fine on the climb.

Before we get into the specifics, the overall rule is: Look where you want to go! Your body will follow your eyes, and while I think most people "know" this rule, it is all to often ignored by perceived danger elsewhere (i.e. "Whoa, look at the huge drop off this corner!" . . . no, don't do that!).

1. Weight (push down on) the "outside" pedal. Given that (for example) when going around a right-hand curve, you left pedal is down, your right pedal is up. This is the most important skill to remember in this context.

2. Push down on the inside (i.e. the right on a right turn) handlebar, preferably on the drops, but failing that, the brake hood (note, not lever).

3. Steer with the saddle. This always sounds funny, but practice pushing your outside leg against the saddle (i.e. left leg on a right turn) as one more part of getting your whole body comfortable through the turn.

4. Do all your braking before you enter the turn. Some folks would have put this further up the list, but I didn't, because when learning to corner more quickly/securely, I've found most riders brake far too much, hence go through the turn much more slowly than they could have, hence don't really learn the techniques I'm trying to teach them.

Finally, it all comes down to practice, which gives you confidence in your abilities, which allows you to take the next step (up one level) in cornering speed.

Also, should be needless to say, but I will . . . always watch for anything that could reduce traction and reduce your cornering speed accordingly. This includes (but is not limited to), gravel, sand, water and leaves.



Photo of Jimmy and Carlos on the descent on Glendora Mountain Road

Rick / OCRR