Downhill at speed... is it normal to be terrified?

[Boo]

I went out for a ride this evening, and took a different route from normal. While I'm still finding my way (and desperately searching for my fitness), I've been sticking to a 7 mile route which is fairly flat. A couple of gentle ups and downs, but nothing steep.

As it was rush hour when I went out though, I knew that would be busy, so picked a different road, which has a couple of steep(ish) hills. Leaving aside the 'going up' bit ( thank goodness for granny gears), the big downhill, which I suspect as a bouncy and indestructible 10 year old, I would have flown down, whooping with delight, now, quite frankly, scared the pants off me!

Ok, I'm on a flat bar bike, so a bit more upright than a roadie, but all I could think about was wobbling, or hitting a pothole, and then sailing through the air, followed by an deeply unpleasant tarmac/face interface incident.

Do hills get better, or are some of us destined to descend steep hills accompanied by the fragrant aroma of burning brake blocks?

 

[Saluki]

They get better. Honestly they do.
When I got my Defy, I went down my first hill at a whopping 4pmh hanging on to my brakes the whole way. You get more confident as you go on

 

[Cubist]

Whatever you feel comfortable doing. Steep descents should be treated with respect, especially if the thought of wobbling and coming off makes you nervous. Try and relax, cover your brakes and let the bike run until you feel the need to scrub off speed. Don't try to overcook it because you think you should, you'll only tense up and increase the chances of a spill. Whatever else you do remember that the bike would roll down he hill bolt upright if you weren't on it. It doesn't want to fall over any more than you do.

 

[maltloaf]

I get scared over about 35mph. I think I'm going to hit gravel or a pothole or something and come off.
I did a local cat 3 a couple of days back and coming down the other side which was just as steep and really narrow, I hung onto the brakes all the way down - hardly went above 17-20.

 

[Archie_tect]

Mrs A_T used to be scared on her own but on the tandem we don't have a computer so no idea how fast we're going until I get the Cyclemeter record... got to 32 on the last hill... gaining confidence every ride.

 

[ColinJ]

I don't like to get too much speed up on steep descents (say >= 10%) or when they are strong gusting side winds, but I am happy to do 50-55 mph where it feels safe to do so. I would describe myself as having a fairly timid and cautious nature, and I do not like hospitals or injuries! I just watch where I am going and make sure that my brakes work, and that my tyres are in good condition.

I would definitely start to get nervous at 60+ mph, which is a bit odd really because coming off at 50 mph would still make a nasty mess of you

 

[Pat "5mph"]

I'm terrified of downhill, don't think that will ever change.
Maybe if I'd started cycling younger I would have acquired better techniques by now.

 

[Effyb4]

I hate going downhill almost as much as I hate going up hill. I don't like going over 20 mph and always use my brakes.

 

[GreigM]

Must admit 20mph gets me on the brakes as well, sometimes I will hit 30 if it's really straight and the road is good.

 

[annedonnelly]

Depends on the road surface for me. There's one stretch I hate because the surface is uneven and very pot-holed. I'm happier on a smooth surface, but like @Pat "5mph" I don't think I'll ever go very fast downhill.

 

[Stonechat]

Starting on a hybrid I found that my high centre of gravity did not help my fears
Since riding a road bike I am a little better.
If the road is moopth straightish, and with a good view a head and with no rain, I will sometimes enjoy the speed, have reached 35
However still very cautious on the whole, and often cyclists shooting past me

 

[Binz]

30+ is worrying but fun for me.

and +1 for the advice on not getting tense. If you are tense any rough bits, potholes etc will jar through you and you will have less control. Relax (as much as you can), make sure your elbows and knees are bent (not locked) and if you suspect the surface is going to be a bit rough then you could take a tip from MTBing and lift out of your saddle a bit. That way the bike moves and soaks up the bumps while your body stays stable.

 

[MikeG]

I'll beat you all to the top of the hill, and sit waiting for you. Could you please all wait for me at the bottom? I descend like a granny.........

 

[The Jogger]

Padal and try not to think if I have a 'blow out.'

 

[machew]

They've gone into plaid