It was a 12% downgrade, and it scared me so...
06-04-10 | 06:12 PM
#51
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,978
Likes: 4
From: Atlanta
Bikes: Cannondale T700s and a few others
I have a steep hill on the way how that I regularly tickle 40mph with a kick ass chicane. Its fun looking at the people in the car next to you in the curve going the same speed and giving them a big grin.
Stay on the hoods and use your body as a air break to help with the speed.
Stay on the hoods and use your body as a air break to help with the speed.
06-04-10 | 09:24 PM
#52
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 625
Likes: 1
Thanks for all the kind advice and words. It was thrilling, and I never thought I wanted to try it when I first saw it.
06-04-10 | 09:33 PM
#53
Wherever I may roam....
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 0
From: Topton Pa
Bikes: A few bikes
My biggest fear w/ steep downhills is the gravel from winter that gets pushed to the side of the road.... Congrats to conquering the ride! If only someone had some advice to me about getting UP the steep hills....
06-05-10 | 09:49 AM
#54
PanGalacticGargleBlaster
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 7,531
Likes: 9
From: Smugglers Notch, Vermont
Bikes: Upright and Recumbent....too many to list, mostly Vintage.
Let's see anyone here drop the hammer on a seven and a half mile descent, filled with hairpin turns as said hill snakes back and forth across the front of a mountain. The first time I got to the bottom of that hill, my wheels were so hot that I burnt my finger when I attempted to see how hot they actually were after all that braking.
sounds freaky but fun as hell. I'd at least give it a go even if I wussed out.
How do you get a bike to Jamaica or do you Rent?
I wouldn't blame anyone for not wanting to bomb a huge descent on a rented bike.
__________________
--Don't Panic.
--Don't Panic.
06-05-10 | 11:36 AM
#55
Randomhead
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 25,930
Likes: 4,825
From: Happy Valley, Pennsylvania
last year someone asked me to scout a route that had a steep descent 2 mile descent on it. Another rider had said it was too steep to use, so the organizer wanted a second opinion. I rode my brakes all the way down, and it was anti-climactic. There was a 90 degree bend at the bottom and it scared me when I first saw it, but then I realized I was only going 20 mph and laughed at myself. I think it might have been 20% for a ways at the top, climbing it again was one of those deals where you have to work to keep the front tire in contact.
Sounds like scary fun. The intersection at the bottom sounds like a concern
So, two milestones today. My first 40 mile ride. And, I came to the top of this hill, looked it in the face and OWNED THAT B**CH!!! Yeah, it was AWESOME!!!
I've come to realize over time my bike loves the descents, and it ate this one up and man was it scary and exhilarating. I remembered much of the advice from this thread, and I got up to 46MPH based on the GPS tracking. I felt like I was on the front of a 747 during takeoff.
Did I mention it was AWESOME!!
I've come to realize over time my bike loves the descents, and it ate this one up and man was it scary and exhilarating. I remembered much of the advice from this thread, and I got up to 46MPH based on the GPS tracking. I felt like I was on the front of a 747 during takeoff.
Did I mention it was AWESOME!!
Last edited by unterhausen; 06-05-10 at 11:41 AM.
06-05-10 | 12:31 PM
#56
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,454
Likes: 9
Admittedly, I've got a decade plus of racing experience, but unless you're talking residential streets with lots of cross traffic, 12% isn't THAT steep. I routinely ride up and down 15+% hills around here, usually topping 40mph and occasionally 50+. The main thing is to relax, have confidence in your equipment and skills, and focus WAY ahead. Keep your hands near the brake levers, just in case.
Not everybody has as high a "zoom factor" as I do, but it behooves you to develop your skills and confidence to the point where you can handle whatever road conditions you find. I'm not talking machismo, but safety.
SP
Bend, OR
...and yes, I like to get my "gravity's worth", but I won't go (too far) beyond my skill level.
Not everybody has as high a "zoom factor" as I do, but it behooves you to develop your skills and confidence to the point where you can handle whatever road conditions you find. I'm not talking machismo, but safety.
SP
Bend, OR
...and yes, I like to get my "gravity's worth", but I won't go (too far) beyond my skill level.
06-05-10 | 12:42 PM
#57
Light Makes Right
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,520
Likes: 0
From: Green Mountain, Colorado
Bikes: Gianni Motta Criterium, Dean Hardtail
So, two milestones today. My first 40 mile ride. And, I came to the top of this hill, looked it in the face and OWNED THAT B**CH!!! Yeah, it was AWESOME!!!
I've come to realize over time my bike loves the descents, and it ate this one up and man was it scary and exhilarating. I remembered much of the advice from this thread, and I got up to 46MPH based on the GPS tracking. I felt like I was on the front of a 747 during takeoff.
Did I mention it was AWESOME!!
I've come to realize over time my bike loves the descents, and it ate this one up and man was it scary and exhilarating. I remembered much of the advice from this thread, and I got up to 46MPH based on the GPS tracking. I felt like I was on the front of a 747 during takeoff.
Did I mention it was AWESOME!!
Watch this before you get too cocky though......
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