Descending is the part of cycling where the gap between riders who feel comfortable and riders who feel terrified is widest — and it has almost nothing to do with bravery. It is a skill, and like any skill it can be practised and improved. I wanted to do this episode because I see so many riders who train hard to get up the climb and then give back every second on the way down.
The foundation is braking. Most riders brake too late and too deep into corners, which is the worst combination for both speed and safety. The fix is counterintuitive: brake harder, but earlier. Get your speed sorted in a straight line before the corner, then release the brakes and let the bike roll. A bike with unloaded brakes corners better, grips better and feels more stable. The moment you drag brakes mid-corner you stand the bike up and push wide.
Body position is the other half. Outside foot down at six o'clock, inside knee pointed towards the apex, weight pressed through the pedal and the outside hand. That triangle — foot, knee, hands — gives you a low centre of gravity and maximum tyre loading. Combine that with loose arms and a relaxed grip and the bike can do what it is designed to do.
Then there is the mental game. Your bike goes where your eyes go. If you stare at the pothole, the gravel patch or the edge of the road, you will drift towards it. Pick your exit point early and lock your eyes on it. It sounds too simple to work, but it is the single most effective thing I have ever changed about my own descending.
Come share your descending wins and questions with the community.
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