Bombing desccents

[BroDeal]

Bombing descents

When I was younger I used to bomb descents, trying to get maximum speed. These days, not so much. I watch others descend like mad, pass me, and I think that the momentary thrill is not worth the risk. Has anyone else become a wuss?

Also reports like this one, where the newsmen seem to think that the guy died "in spite of wearing a helmet" p!ss me off because the promote the idea that helmets are effective at speed. It takes only a cursory knowledge of physics and helmet testing standards to figure out that bike helmets do a very poor job as speeds go to 50 km and above.

http://lagunabeach.patch.com/articl...-park-avenue-in-laguna-beach-dies-after-crash

 

[ericfalcon]

I went down that hill on my mountain bike this morning. I hit 47 mph near the bottom. Not sure where he wrecked exactly, but its a steep hill and you can really get moving if you nail the sweeping right hander. Im not sure what caused the guy to lose control, but crashing at that speed is no joke.

 

[RedheadDane]

No real descents where I live, only small hills. Sometimes (when it's safe) I try to put on as much speed as possible.
Sometimes... I'm struggling with just staying on the bike. Hate the wind!

 

[Maxiton]

I bombed descents until 2 or 3 years ago when I had an accident and broke some bones. I wasn't even going that fast at the time but I didn't try to roll when I hit the ground because I was too freaked out about the likelihood of being run over by the car that was behind me. The car didn't hit me, thank God, but I did break a bunch of bones and it was very painful. Since then, I find I'm a little nervous descending all out, though I continue to improve. I don't know that I'll ever again blast down hills like I used to.

On a side note, I used to be a member of Cycling TV. That outfit is a bunch of crooks and I definitely don't recommend it, but it did have one cool feature: viewers were able to instant message during races with the commentators, and they would respond on air. One time, I asked Magnus Backstedt what was the highest speed he'd ever reached on a bike. He replied that the highest speed had come on a newly surfaced road during a long, straight, steep descent in the Giro d'Italia. When he began the descent he got into an aero tuck, and when he finally looked at his computer, it read 128.57 KPH (just shy of 80 MPH) . And at that point he sat up a little bit. Who could blame him? Hitting the deck at that speed would end a lot more than your race.

I do think, per the OP, that as we get older and more aware of our mortality, we become more cautious. I've seen some young guys do some absolutely suicidal things on bikes. I just shake my head and wipe the sweat off my palms.

 

[Quixote]

I think what's at play here is Newton's Universal Law...for every ascent there is an unequal and much faster descent. Common sense and good brake pads are important ingredients for wise old cyclists.

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

Yeah, definitely more cautious when the road turns downward as I'm getting older. Used to bomb everything, now I guess it's more situational descending. If I know the road or it's wide open, no traffic or woods, I'll go like a bat outta hell, if I see driveways and wooded areas I'll hold back. Have dumped at speed, been lucky [knock on wood], close encounters with animals, cars and people going 80+kph isn't thrilling anymore. Racing, I'm usually in the front 5 anyway with riders I know that have descending skills, and If I see the slightest error from anybody I'm getting in front of you.

 

[usedtobefast]

i still try to go as fast as possible where i can. i do remember hitting 66mph
in a RR in Palos Verdes. but discretion is the better part of valor and always
has been. i remember a crash on Como Street ride going down the other side
of Cooks, no major damage to me, but others were not as lucky.

 

[Anonymous]

i still try to go as fast as possible where i can. i do remember hitting 66mph
in a RR in Palos Verdes. but discretion is the better part of valor and always
has been. i remember a crash on Como Street ride going down the other side
of Cooks, no major damage to me, but others were not as lucky.

I hit 60mph on the descent of old 395 at San Luis Rey several years ago. There was a crash at the bridge juncture (going over I-15 Freeway) one year. I watched some guys hit the deck pretty hard. The next time I came around one of them was still laid out being attended to.

 

[slowoldman]

I hit 60mph on the descent of old 395 at San Luis Rey several years ago. There was a crash at the bridge juncture (going over I-15 Freeway) one year. I watched some guys hit the deck pretty hard. The next time I came around one of them was still laid out being attended to.

2003? I think I was at that same race.

I lost a friend earlier this year on GMR. He and I always charged the descents. Kevin was one hell of a descender and then the accident happened. It made me reevaluate the thrill of charging the descents. I haven't been up there since. Might make it up there this weekend just to spend my time remembering my friend.

 

[elapid]

I must admit that I still like bombing descents. Nothing too dangerous in my area now (Ottawa), but really enjoyed some of the descents when I lived in Colorado and on the Bicycle Tour of Colorado in 2009. One descent that I will not forget was off the top of Grand Mesa into Grand Junction: 36km in 30 minutes and barely touched the pedals. We didn't quite reach the 100km/h mark, but were close at some points. That was worth the 50km climb to get to the top of Grand Mesa!

 

[Oldman]

I think what's at play here is Newton's Universal Law...for every ascent there is an unequal and much faster descent. Common sense and good brake pads are important ingredients for wise old cyclists.

The descents in Norcal are worth the challenge but, knowing cars are on the road I ride what I can see and assume the worst. Being too cautious is as bad as being reckless. My worst crashes haven't been at high speed and I'll only go fast in company I trust.

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

Another factor for a solid descent is what frame of mind you're in when you summit a climb. I've put myself into some serious deficits on a climb just to keep up, and took me longer than usual to get my composure back to focus on high speeds. Turning yourself inside out on the climb until you're cross-eyed can turn some descents early on into a drunk driving episode. Danger!

 

[MarkvW]

There is this drop just east of Chelan, WA (on the other side of the River)--O'Neill Pass. The road is beautifully paved, and well banked, as it drops down a draw at about a 19% grade for about four or five miles. I was loaded on my touring bike and it was too scary.
I walked.

Once bombed down the E. side of Mt. Rainier on 410. No prior idea of road condition (fortunately it was good). I was going 45 while trying to create max drag. That was scary/exciting!

 

[ElChingon]

I hit 60mph on the descent of old 395 at San Luis Rey several years ago. There was a crash at the bridge juncture (going over I-15 Freeway) one year. I watched some guys hit the deck pretty hard. The next time I came around one of them was still laid out being attended to.

Those expansion joints on the overpass always take someone out, the good old bunny hop always avoids them, even a mini bunny hop at speed is enough to not get jarred by those.

All depends on the route as far as bombing it, having ridden a particular descent before helps to know what to expect, a new descent definitely take it easy when there are unknowns.

Out by SLR there are some of the coolest routes and yes descents that are bomb-able due to low traffic, Circle R, West Lilac, Couser Canyon, SLR counter clockwise, or just 395.

 

[Oldman]

There is this drop just east of Chelan, WA (on the other side of the River)--O'Neill Pass. The road is beautifully paved, and well banked, as it drops down a draw at about a 19% grade for about four or five miles. I was loaded on my touring bike and it was too scary.
I walked.

Once bombed down the E. side of Mt. Rainier on 410. No prior idea of road condition (fortunately it was good). I was going 45 while trying to create max drag. That was scary/exciting!

That Chelan descent is great if you are light and can really jack the brakes and release just right out of the apex. If you have extra weight it would be beyond terrifying; even at 10mph.

 

[Martin318is]

Guys, there have been a couple of threads on this topic in the last few months. I'm considering rolling them up into one - just warning in case you see this thread suddenly get all chunky.

 

[luckyboy]

Not much in the way of big descents where I live in North Wales but I've seen 80km/h+ a couple of times. Hate thinking about where cars might be though.

Maybe I'll go to the Alps late next summer and do some real descending.

 

[kielbasa]

I remember doing 53 MPH in pouring rain in Cat. 4 race many years ago and I've hit almost 60 MPH on a nearby hill in training, but the last few times I started to back off a bit. I doubt I have it in me to set any PB's anyways.

On a lighter note, you know you've plenty of descending when driving your car downhill you feel a strange urge to get in a tuck position behind the wheel. I know I do.

 

[Anonymous]

2003? I think I was at that same race.

I lost a friend earlier this year on GMR. He and I always charged the descents. Kevin was one hell of a descender and then the accident happened. It made me reevaluate the thrill of charging the descents. I haven't been up there since. Might make it up there this weekend just to spend my time remembering my friend.

It was either 2002 or 2003. Could be the same race.

Sorry about Kevin. I did not know him, but was effected by what happened.

 

[slowoldman]

Those expansion joints on the overpass always take someone out, the good old bunny hop always avoids them, even a mini bunny hop at speed is enough to not get jarred by those.

All depends on the route as far as bombing it, having ridden a particular descent before helps to know what to expect, a new descent definitely take it easy when there are unknowns.

Out by SLR there are some of the coolest routes and yes descents that are bomb-able due to low traffic, Circle R, West Lilac, Couser Canyon, SLR counter clockwise, or just 395.

Yup, those expansion joints are HUGE! Couser Canyon has some nice descents!

I love descending, as far as I am concerned there is only one reason to climb and that is to descend. In 2004, Josh Wilson category A (?) racer (son of Michael Wilson http://www.winepunters.com/velo.html) and I hit 114 kph on the descent of the Tourmalet. I had no computer but he told me what we were doing when we reached the bottom. We were racing a Z4 BMW. We won.

Thanks Scott for the thoughts about Kevin. He and I had a lot of fun on those descents. Miss riding with him. He was a great guy.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

When I was younger I used to bomb descents, trying to get maximum speed. These days, not so much. I watch others descend like mad, pass me, and I think that the momentary thrill is not worth the risk. Has anyone else become a wuss?

I admit, I have wussed out. Something about a high speed descent down mountain roads, through road cuts, into open canyons, then getting blasted sideways by strong winds (the kind that crank the wheel for you) that knocked me 5 feet out into the traffic lanes did something to my head. And definately not in wet conditions. Thankfully, the physics of wheels at speed saved the day. But today I still don't trust physics to bail me out.

 

[MarkvW]

Those expansion joints on the overpass always take someone out, the good old bunny hop always avoids them, even a mini bunny hop at speed is enough to not get jarred by those.

All depends on the route as far as bombing it, having ridden a particular descent before helps to know what to expect, a new descent definitely take it easy when there are unknowns.

Out by SLR there are some of the coolest routes and yes descents that are bomb-able due to low traffic, Circle R, West Lilac, Couser Canyon, SLR counter clockwise, or just 395.

Ah, the bridge at San Luis Rey! I've heard of that one!

 

[delbified]

i used to road test cars and an ex-racer told me his plan for road (motor) racing (i.e. road rallies) was to take them at about 85%. you don't get out of control and you leave a bit in reserve if something goes wrong. obviously it's not fool proof, but that's how i tend to take descents on my bike.

 

[craig1985]

Yup, those expansion joints are HUGE! Couser Canyon has some nice descents!

I love descending, as far as I am concerned there is only one reason to climb and that is to descend. In 2004, Josh Wilson category A (?) racer (son of Michael Wilson http://www.winepunters.com/velo.html) and I hit 114 kph on the descent of the Tourmalet. I had no computer but he told me what we were doing when we reached the bottom. We were racing a Z4 BMW. We won.

Thanks Scott for the thoughts about Kevin. He and I had a lot of fun on those descents. Miss riding with him. He was a great guy.

Did you guys go down when the roads were closed? I did it on the '07 TDF rest day (we saw Barloworld out training near Lourdes) and it was pretty busy going down the other side (the side that Andy won on last year) with traffic in all directions. I took it easy and I caught several cars, in fact I hit a small rock at over 60km/h, thankfully nothing happened. I did the Port de Bales the day before on the other side I was descending with some blokes from Utah and I couldn't keep up with them despite doing over 70km/h

Usually for me if I know a descent then I will go down quickly, but if I don't then I will ease my way down. My dad taught me what I know about cornering as he's been a motorcyclist all his life, and despite breaking my collarbone in May, I still like to go quickly down hill. The fastest I have gone in a race is 74km/h, and I had my hands on the hoods as well just freewheeling down.

 

[Boeing]

there is little room for error where this guy crashed. And the probability is he was on a mountain bike. Rarely do roadies ride up or down that hill. But that is immaterial. It is prime access to Top Of The World, an entry into Laguna Woods trails so adds are he was going home after a trail ride. regardless it is a curvy road with no real bike lane and cars corner wide and tight.



I tend to let it roll when it is straight but cornering I back off. So I fall into the wuss cat. But I do still operate under the guise that bad things happen when you hit the brakes

47 mph on a mountain bike on that road would be an all time record check your calibration. it is work and a fine technique to hit that speed on newport coast on a roadie with a tail wind

and I think the 1900 block is that sweeping right mentioned above.