Bike Forums - How to descend properly

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- - How to descend properly (https://www.bikeforums.net/general-cycling-discussion/1182372-how-descend-properly.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by aclinjury (Post 21099255)

But you 2 guys call him not going that fast? Time to put up your own video boys or you just armchair experts. Yep.

I'd describe this as a spirited run down a gradual descent. Having to hammer to keep above 40mph means it's really a pretty shallow grade. He's jerky in places. Riding the top tube is sketchy.

You used the word properly improperly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by billyymc (Post 21099449)

Yeah, this!

I think anyone who thinks this is the fast and "proper" way to descend does not ride the mountains much. Of course I'm not an expert, nor claiming to be, but this guy is not what I'd be citing as an example.

Totally fun to watch though, woo hoo!

Quote:

Originally Posted by REDMASTA (Post 21098724)

was waiting for someone in a prius to pass him while in full tuck.

Right, LOL!! :roflmao2:

Quote:

Originally Posted by render ranger (Post 21099484)

There’s no need for a follow car when you can set up a tripod and capture your self-professed descending “prowess” to corroborate your claims...

https://youtu.be/OKVQHDsT-mE

Seriously? You're comparing a video of a few seconds from a static angle to following a guy for several minutes over a variety of grades and turns?

I'm not going to critique anyone's downhill technique because frankly, I pretty much suck at it, and I don't particularly want to take the risks I'd need to to improve it at age 58. But you've now upped the ante for being able to critique the video from "you have to be good at downhill", which is reasonable to "you have to have video of your own downhill riding", which is absurd.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimothyH (Post 21099273)

The lean angle and visual perception of speed are exaggerated because of the wide angle lens. I'm glad they posted actual speed metrics.

The premise here is descending properly. Sure, he goes pretty fast but personally, I don't think the video is a great example of proper descending skills. For one thing, he seems to be flicking the bike pretty aggressively at times. It looks dramatic, like drift racing, but it isn't the fastest way around a turn.

Watch some pros on youtube and they rarely if ever throw the bike around like that but are very smooth when entering and exiting the turns. Being smooth is key. If coasting through a turn they put their inside knee out, plant their outside knee against the top tube and weight the outside pedal. They are also very good at late, threshold braking. And hands on the hoods with forearms level is more aero than in the drops if you want to go fast.

I'd post a video of myself going 54 MPH on pavement and into the high 40's on gravel but I'm not in the habit of having cars follow me down the mountain at that speed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZcxikw6wFo

-Tim-

you'd post a video of yourself going 54 huh? Big deal dude I've gone 61 on pavement. Now how about showing is how you could take a 15mph corner at 37 ? Just set up a tripod at the corner, that's all we need to see to assess. Posting vids of pros on closed course using the full road doesn't prove anything about your ability either. We all know how to search youtube brah.

Oh and it's also entertaining to see how these simple threads get so spun up. I guess some people take things on here too serious. It's a silly internet forum, not life.

Woo hoo, let the fun continue!

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimothyH (Post 21099655)

There are lots of people who have gone much faster on similar roads. The only difference is that they didn't have a chase car filming them with a narrator claiming "Absolute savant" as they crossed the double yellow line.

Yep, that narration was ridiculous.

BTW, the car took the turns at pretty much the same speed as the bike. If those turns were really that difficult the car would have fallen behind.

MOD NOTE TO ALL....The Topic is the Video, not each other.

Did he slide at the 4 minute mark? If that was me there would be a starfish imprint on my seat cover.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Barnard (Post 21099947)

Did he slide at the 4 minute mark? If that was me there would be a starfish imprint on my seat cover.

Looked to me like he just make a quick correction to stay on the road.

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodcraft (Post 21099294)

Coasting through heavy traffic with feet up off the pedals!

recently while driving my car in heavy traffic, trucker on the CB told everyone about a young lady steering her car with her feet while texting two handed. not her knees, her feet!

Quote:

Originally Posted by rumrunn6 (Post 21100034)

trucker on the CB told everyone about a young lady steering with her feet while texting two handed. not her knees, her feet!

Now show me a video of her doing that on this descent and I will be impressed! :lol:

Here ya go: I watched this live and it was nuts.