Developing cornering confidence

[Monsieur Remings]

1/ Get all your braking done before you reach the turn.

2/ Get the back nice and flat to lower your centre of gravity, keep the outside pedal down.

3/ Keep a relaxed grip on the bars, don't hold them too tight.

4/ Use your eyes to steer the bike. The line you are looking through will be where the bike will go, to tighten your line look toward the verge, to widen it look away.

All there is too it, practice till it becomes second nature.

And obviously following on from this, have utter and absolute confidence in your brakes. They are the 'fastest' accessory on your bike which will enable you to build confidence, get faster again and stay safe.

I also believe that to stay 'on top of your bike' is important, nothing too erratic in terms of positioning and if you're too low to take the corner at such speed, lift up a bit and wait for a straighter section to get as low as you can. Often if you're in and out of hairpins you have to sit up a touch, it's easier and the low aero position with your chin on the bar is better where speed is of the essence ( a straighter section of descent) as opposed manoeuvrability and absolute control (in and out of hairpins) where aero positioning is ultimately more disrupted by the need to brake.

Build your confidence by doing the same descents.

Good luck.

 

[oldroadman]

That's like suggesting to someone who can't maintain an erection to try incest.

My sister can confirm that it just does not always work..!

 

[oldroadman]

If you are lucky enough still to have recordings of the Giro or Tour, find a bit where the moto camera is trying to follow Nibali down a descent (losing ground on every corner). This will tell you a lot about how an expert gets round corners fast and smooth.