[RBW] Re: Wisdom or Cowardice, how fast to go downhill?
Ah, the late '80s and early '90s. I rode a loop in Arkansas fairly often that went from Ponca on the Buffalo River to Jasper, then Just short of Harrison and back to Ponca? Logged here by other start/stop riders, I always began in Ponca with Mt. Sherman in my face, climbing the switchbacks into the morning sun. The real excitement came hours later with the descent back into Ponca. I learned the road and grew confident of the ride down off the Ozark plateau. Even toyed with varying my speed by riding on the paint stripe and back to the Tarmac. 55 possible? On my old red RB-1 (Ultegra 36h hubs I laced to Open 4 CDs With Michelin 28s) I rode this circuit everal times a year. I built my bike and trusted it. No marks, no fouls. South Colorado, 2001, riding my Rambouillet along the Trans Am Western Express, ultra light, my back tire lost its air just slower than a blow out on a chip topped road with some winding downhill eases and my options grew fewer as the PSI fell and the next curve came. I finally took one turns to be able to brake in a straight line long enough on the flaccid tire and tube to get down in speed while still on the bike. Nice idea, not what happened. I yawed widely on the slack rear tire to the point that I was almost sideways. Speed and some semblance of grip presented itself and I flew over the bars, cartwheeling slowly forward, landing on the ugly road surface with my head, my left shoulder blade and elbow. I got up and dragged my bike out of the road so I must have been OK. I changed my rear tube and one of my colleagues' rear tubes my shoulder slipping out of alignment each pump stroke. It was separated, all the way One of the others noted my visible injury and I said I was riding to the next town (our destination anyway) and got up on my bike which faired pretty well given the violence of my dissipation of velocity on this surface. Speed is the engine of injury, no doubt. But it sure is a fun test of equipment you know. Just have to keep some contingent thought available to handle the what-ifs. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/86jdqJVi004J. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
[RBW] Re: Wisdom or Cowardice, how fast to go downhill?
Did 49 mph on my V2 recumbent and glanced down to see my speed nudging the bars slightly which moved me ten feet towards the center of a two lane highway. Glad there were no cars coming up behind me at 60mph. Also did an estimated 50-55 mph on a long steep downhill and a truck pulled out at the base of said hill, forcing me to brakeye olde rim brakes faded into nothingness causing my life to flash before me...I cleared his back bumper just in time going about 30 mph and resolved to be more conservative from then on. Most hills are under 40 mph (coasting) and more like 30 mph max. Still the thought of hitting chip seal with a t-shirt and shorts at that speed is pretty grimolder, wiser I'd say. On Friday, July 13, 2012 7:53:40 AM UTC-7, Michael Hechmer wrote: > > I'm not a particularly anxious person, although I do get anxious when > someone compliments my courage! I regularly downhill at 40+ mph and have > hit 50 on good pavement and reasonably straight mountain descents without > too much anxiety, but one hill this year has me spooked. > > One of my favorite routes is a 23 mile ride with 1400 feet of climbing > that is equally divided among lightly traveled & good dirt roads, mostly > descent chip & seal town roads, and a third of moderately traveled state > roads. It provides beautiful pastoral scenery, a good view of the whole of > the Mt. Mansfield ridge line, and a stretch along the Lamoille River, > including the impressive Fairfax Falls. In the past I have always ridden it > counter clockwise, which includes a beast of a 3K climb, including a K of > 20%+ grade right in the middle. This year I reversed direction and have > been riding it clockwise on my Rambouillet, with a very nice set of Grand > Bois Cerf tires. The first time down it I discovered the pavement on the > steepest section was not in good condition, no pot holes or heaves, just > lots of broken chip and seal. The bumping was quite dramatic and I felt > like one good hole could toss me over the handle bars. Garmin was showing > 47.5 when I lightly squeezed the rear brake. Fortunately the Paul's Racers > have excellent modulation and I safely slowed enough to feel OK. > > But when I got to the bottom I asked myself why I chickened out, since I > was just fine, and thought that the next time I would lay off the brakes. > But this hasn't happened. Instead each time I have gone down it, I have > gone slower and slower. Today I took out my Trek, which has 32 mm TServes > to see if I would feel more comfortable at higher speeds with the softer > tire. But when I got to the top of the hill I realized I had no real taste > for the experiment. I went down at 25, until I could see the good pavement > at the bottom and then I let it roll out to 39. > > So I ask myself, is this wisdom, or just yielding to irrational anxiety. > > Michael > Westford, VT > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/Hk3BsDs2YIUJ. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
Re: [RBW] Re: Wisdom or Cowardice, how fast to go downhill?
My strategy, when i want to slow down while going down, is to pump the rear brake. This minimizes the chance of locking up, provides some cooling and keeps the powerful front brake in reserve, So far so good. I do appreciate all those who have posted that caution trumps adrenalin rushes on down hills. I have decided to revert to my old routine of riding this route counter clockwise, dealing with the tough uphill and enjoying the fast but relaxing downhill on the other side. Spent three hours out in the canoe on Lake Eden today. Gad zooks it's hot out there. Michael On Saturday, July 14, 2012 9:45:35 AM UTC-4, [email protected] wrote: > > Or use disks. That's one of the reasons we got disks on the new > tandem, though I still alternate front/rear to allow the disks > themselves to cool. > > It's been interesting to see how people limit their speeds. I do if > I'm unsure of the road but if it's a nice, visible road with no cross > traffic I tend to let it roll. We've hit 50+ on the tandem a couple > of time (on Tour de Blast we actually used the disk as a light drag > because there were state patrolmen around and they were rumored to > ticket cyclists breaking 55mph - which would be insanely easy coming > down from Johnson ridge on a tandem!) Cindy has been fine with it, in > fact I sometimes keep it slower than she would like since I have a > better idea of the handling/stopping abilities of the big bike. > > -Ken > > On Fri, Jul 13, 2012 at 11:28 PM, Bill M. wrote: > > On a truly long and steep descent, trying to come down too slowly has > its > > own peril - overheated rims and blown tires. Letting the bike roll out > some > > allows some energy to be dissipated by the wind, sparing the brakes for > when > > they are really needed. It can be a fine line between over-braking and > > under-braking. At some point wisdom would have you stop to let the rims > > cool. > > > > Bill > > Stockton, CA > > > > > > On Friday, July 13, 2012 7:53:40 AM UTC-7, Michael Hechmer wrote: > >> > >> I'm not a particularly anxious person, although I do get anxious when > >> someone compliments my courage! I regularly downhill at 40+ mph and > have > >> hit 50 on good pavement and reasonably straight mountain descents > without > >> too much anxiety, but one hill this year has me spooked. > >> > >> One of my favorite routes is a 23 mile ride with 1400 feet of climbing > >> that is equally divided among lightly traveled & good dirt roads, > mostly > >> descent chip & seal town roads, and a third of moderately traveled > state > >> roads. It provides beautiful pastoral scenery, a good view of the > whole of > >> the Mt. Mansfield ridge line, and a stretch along the Lamoille River, > >> including the impressive Fairfax Falls. In the past I have always > ridden it > >> counter clockwise, which includes a beast of a 3K climb, including a K > of > >> 20%+ grade right in the middle. This year I reversed direction and > have > >> been riding it clockwise on my Rambouillet, with a very nice set of > Grand > >> Bois Cerf tires. The first time down it I discovered the pavement on > the > >> steepest section was not in good condition, no pot holes or heaves, > just > >> lots of broken chip and seal. The bumping was quite dramatic and I > felt > >> like one good hole could toss me over the handle bars. Garmin was > showing > >> 47.5 when I lightly squeezed the rear brake. Fortunately the Paul's > Racers > >> have excellent modulation and I safely slowed enough to feel OK. > >> > >> But when I got to the bottom I asked myself why I chickened out, since > I > >> was just fine, and thought that the next time I would lay off the > brakes. > >> But this hasn't happened. Instead each time I have gone down it, I > have > >> gone slower and slower. Today I took out my Trek, which has 32 mm > TServes > >> to see if I would feel more comfortable at higher speeds with the > softer > >> tire. But when I got to the top of the hill I realized I had no real > taste > >> for the experiment. I went down at 25, until I could see the good > pavement > >> at the bottom and then I let it roll out to 39. > >> > >> So I ask myself, is this wisdom, or just yielding to irrational > anxiety. > >> > >> Michael > >> Westford, VT > > > > -- > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google > Groups > > "RBW Owners Bunch" group. > > To view this discussion on the web visit > > https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/CcFxE2NTBTgJ. > > > > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > > [email protected]. > > For more options, visit this group at > > http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" gr
[RBW] Re: Wisdom or Cowardice, how fast to go downhill?
> > No reason to speed on the bike. > > Live to ride another day > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/hne_o3cqUmMJ. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
[RBW] Re: Wisdom or Cowardice, how fast to go downhill?
- "The bumping was quite dramatic and I felt like one good hole could toss me over the handle bars." I don't think keeping your bike in control is cowardice. I think it is being mature and responsible to yourself, your loved-ones, and to those around you. I would rather be getting euphoric over that pastoral scenery you mentioned, than pushing myself into a reckless descent that makes me almost lose control of the bike. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/R5wdzxPfWL4J. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
[RBW] Re: Wisdom or Cowardice, how fast to go downhill?
> > Fastest I ever went was 43 mph. See, at the time I had a new bike and > wanted to see how fast I could go on it. > Wind was loud. Fun, but a little scary. I stayed very still on the descent. > After I started back uphill again, I started to think about what would > have happened if I woulda crashed. I figured 43mph was good enough for me. > Some people like to go faster and faster. > But for me, I am satisfied with the 43mph, and it isn't worth the risk to > keep pushing it for my curiosity. > More fun just to ride and keep it in control. > I top out at about 30-35mph before I start using the brakes. > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/dFK_pvq1A-8J. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
Re: [RBW] Re: Wisdom or Cowardice, how fast to go downhill?
Or use disks. That's one of the reasons we got disks on the new tandem, though I still alternate front/rear to allow the disks themselves to cool. It's been interesting to see how people limit their speeds. I do if I'm unsure of the road but if it's a nice, visible road with no cross traffic I tend to let it roll. We've hit 50+ on the tandem a couple of time (on Tour de Blast we actually used the disk as a light drag because there were state patrolmen around and they were rumored to ticket cyclists breaking 55mph - which would be insanely easy coming down from Johnson ridge on a tandem!) Cindy has been fine with it, in fact I sometimes keep it slower than she would like since I have a better idea of the handling/stopping abilities of the big bike. -Ken On Fri, Jul 13, 2012 at 11:28 PM, Bill M. wrote: > On a truly long and steep descent, trying to come down too slowly has its > own peril - overheated rims and blown tires. Letting the bike roll out some > allows some energy to be dissipated by the wind, sparing the brakes for when > they are really needed. It can be a fine line between over-braking and > under-braking. At some point wisdom would have you stop to let the rims > cool. > > Bill > Stockton, CA > > > On Friday, July 13, 2012 7:53:40 AM UTC-7, Michael Hechmer wrote: >> >> I'm not a particularly anxious person, although I do get anxious when >> someone compliments my courage! I regularly downhill at 40+ mph and have >> hit 50 on good pavement and reasonably straight mountain descents without >> too much anxiety, but one hill this year has me spooked. >> >> One of my favorite routes is a 23 mile ride with 1400 feet of climbing >> that is equally divided among lightly traveled & good dirt roads, mostly >> descent chip & seal town roads, and a third of moderately traveled state >> roads. It provides beautiful pastoral scenery, a good view of the whole of >> the Mt. Mansfield ridge line, and a stretch along the Lamoille River, >> including the impressive Fairfax Falls. In the past I have always ridden it >> counter clockwise, which includes a beast of a 3K climb, including a K of >> 20%+ grade right in the middle. This year I reversed direction and have >> been riding it clockwise on my Rambouillet, with a very nice set of Grand >> Bois Cerf tires. The first time down it I discovered the pavement on the >> steepest section was not in good condition, no pot holes or heaves, just >> lots of broken chip and seal. The bumping was quite dramatic and I felt >> like one good hole could toss me over the handle bars. Garmin was showing >> 47.5 when I lightly squeezed the rear brake. Fortunately the Paul's Racers >> have excellent modulation and I safely slowed enough to feel OK. >> >> But when I got to the bottom I asked myself why I chickened out, since I >> was just fine, and thought that the next time I would lay off the brakes. >> But this hasn't happened. Instead each time I have gone down it, I have >> gone slower and slower. Today I took out my Trek, which has 32 mm TServes >> to see if I would feel more comfortable at higher speeds with the softer >> tire. But when I got to the top of the hill I realized I had no real taste >> for the experiment. I went down at 25, until I could see the good pavement >> at the bottom and then I let it roll out to 39. >> >> So I ask myself, is this wisdom, or just yielding to irrational anxiety. >> >> Michael >> Westford, VT > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "RBW Owners Bunch" group. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/CcFxE2NTBTgJ. > > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected]. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
[RBW] Re: Wisdom or Cowardice, how fast to go downhill?
On a truly long and steep descent, trying to come down too slowly has its own peril - overheated rims and blown tires. Letting the bike roll out some allows some energy to be dissipated by the wind, sparing the brakes for when they are really needed. It can be a fine line between over-braking and under-braking. At some point wisdom would have you stop to let the rims cool. Bill Stockton, CA On Friday, July 13, 2012 7:53:40 AM UTC-7, Michael Hechmer wrote: > > I'm not a particularly anxious person, although I do get anxious when > someone compliments my courage! I regularly downhill at 40+ mph and have > hit 50 on good pavement and reasonably straight mountain descents without > too much anxiety, but one hill this year has me spooked. > > One of my favorite routes is a 23 mile ride with 1400 feet of climbing > that is equally divided among lightly traveled & good dirt roads, mostly > descent chip & seal town roads, and a third of moderately traveled state > roads. It provides beautiful pastoral scenery, a good view of the whole of > the Mt. Mansfield ridge line, and a stretch along the Lamoille River, > including the impressive Fairfax Falls. In the past I have always ridden it > counter clockwise, which includes a beast of a 3K climb, including a K of > 20%+ grade right in the middle. This year I reversed direction and have > been riding it clockwise on my Rambouillet, with a very nice set of Grand > Bois Cerf tires. The first time down it I discovered the pavement on the > steepest section was not in good condition, no pot holes or heaves, just > lots of broken chip and seal. The bumping was quite dramatic and I felt > like one good hole could toss me over the handle bars. Garmin was showing > 47.5 when I lightly squeezed the rear brake. Fortunately the Paul's Racers > have excellent modulation and I safely slowed enough to feel OK. > > But when I got to the bottom I asked myself why I chickened out, since I > was just fine, and thought that the next time I would lay off the brakes. > But this hasn't happened. Instead each time I have gone down it, I have > gone slower and slower. Today I took out my Trek, which has 32 mm TServes > to see if I would feel more comfortable at higher speeds with the softer > tire. But when I got to the top of the hill I realized I had no real taste > for the experiment. I went down at 25, until I could see the good pavement > at the bottom and then I let it roll out to 39. > > So I ask myself, is this wisdom, or just yielding to irrational anxiety. > > Michael > Westford, VT > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/CcFxE2NTBTgJ. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
Re: [RBW] Re: Wisdom or Cowardice, how fast to go downhill?
Oh I am not one to harp on people for not wearing one but I treat mine like seatbelt, i just strap it on before I go out. I am not sure what the big deal is about wearing a helmet though. Back in the day they sucked and made you sweat like crazy but these new ones are nice and Airy although maybe not "cool" but that is the least of my concerns when I am out riding. I do make my daughter wear one but again just treat it like part of the routine so as to not make it a "thing." Everyone else in the whole world can wear one or not as far as I am concerned. On Fri, Jul 13, 2012 at 2:49 PM, Joe Bernard wrote: > In fairness to Grant re: the helmet issue, I've seen him headed up Mt. > Diablo with one strapped to the bars. It's safe to assume it's not still on > the bars on the way down.. > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "RBW Owners Bunch" group. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/3wOw0-HYJpoJ. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected]. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. > > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
Re: [RBW] Re: Wisdom or Cowardice, how fast to go downhill?
In fairness to Grant re: the helmet issue, I've seen him headed up Mt. Diablo with one strapped to the bars. It's safe to assume it's not still on the bars on the way down.. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/3wOw0-HYJpoJ. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
[RBW] Re: Wisdom or Cowardice, how fast to go downhill?
Here's a vote for wisdom. You paint a picture of a beautiful area to ride in; why hurry? And the results of a crash at the speeds you describe are painful at the least and involve a long time off the bike. If that's not enough, consider damage to the bike. There's a reason those downhill racers wear all the protective gear plus motorcycle helmets. dougP On Jul 13, 7:53 am, Michael Hechmer wrote: > I'm not a particularly anxious person, although I do get anxious when > someone compliments my courage! I regularly downhill at 40+ mph and have > hit 50 on good pavement and reasonably straight mountain descents without > too much anxiety, but one hill this year has me spooked. > > One of my favorite routes is a 23 mile ride with 1400 feet of climbing that > is equally divided among lightly traveled & good dirt roads, mostly descent > chip & seal town roads, and a third of moderately traveled state roads. It > provides beautiful pastoral scenery, a good view of the whole of the Mt. > Mansfield ridge line, and a stretch along the Lamoille River, including the > impressive Fairfax Falls. In the past I have always ridden it counter > clockwise, which includes a beast of a 3K climb, including a K of 20%+ > grade right in the middle. This year I reversed direction and have been > riding it clockwise on my Rambouillet, with a very nice set of Grand Bois > Cerf tires. The first time down it I discovered the pavement on the > steepest section was not in good condition, no pot holes or heaves, just > lots of broken chip and seal. The bumping was quite dramatic and I felt > like one good hole could toss me over the handle bars. Garmin was showing > 47.5 when I lightly squeezed the rear brake. Fortunately the Paul's Racers > have excellent modulation and I safely slowed enough to feel OK. > > But when I got to the bottom I asked myself why I chickened out, since I > was just fine, and thought that the next time I would lay off the brakes. > But this hasn't happened. Instead each time I have gone down it, I have > gone slower and slower. Today I took out my Trek, which has 32 mm TServes > to see if I would feel more comfortable at higher speeds with the softer > tire. But when I got to the top of the hill I realized I had no real taste > for the experiment. I went down at 25, until I could see the good pavement > at the bottom and then I let it roll out to 39. > > So I ask myself, is this wisdom, or just yielding to irrational anxiety. > > Michael > Westford, VT -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
[RBW] Re: Wisdom or Cowardice, how fast to go downhill?
I am a "better safe than sorry" type, rather than a "throw caution to the wind" type. Good to see lots of people share that approach. I want all of you to be riding in good health for a long time :-) -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/15JBZvodwCoJ. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
[RBW] Re: Wisdom or Cowardice, how fast to go downhill?
40-50mph is motorcycle speed, which those guys/gals are running in full leathers and a full-face helmet (the smart ones, anyway). I've rarely exceeded 35 on a bicycle, and am in no hurry to do it again soon. A little slower is still fun. Joe "where ya goin in such a hurry, boy" Bernard Vallejo, CA. On Friday, July 13, 2012 8:15:32 AM UTC-7, Will wrote: > Intuition is a good thing. Listen to it. > > On Friday, July 13, 2012 9:53:40 AM UTC-5, Michael Hechmer wrote: >> >> I'm not a particularly anxious person, although I do get anxious when >> someone compliments my courage! I regularly downhill at 40+ mph and have >> hit 50 on good pavement and reasonably straight mountain descents without >> too much anxiety, but one hill this year has me spooked. >> >> One of my favorite routes is a 23 mile ride with 1400 feet of climbing >> that is equally divided among lightly traveled & good dirt roads, mostly >> descent chip & seal town roads, and a third of moderately traveled state >> roads. It provides beautiful pastoral scenery, a good view of the whole of >> the Mt. Mansfield ridge line, and a stretch along the Lamoille River, >> including the impressive Fairfax Falls. In the past I have always ridden it >> counter clockwise, which includes a beast of a 3K climb, including a K of >> 20%+ grade right in the middle. This year I reversed direction and have >> been riding it clockwise on my Rambouillet, with a very nice set of Grand >> Bois Cerf tires. The first time down it I discovered the pavement on the >> steepest section was not in good condition, no pot holes or heaves, just >> lots of broken chip and seal. The bumping was quite dramatic and I felt >> like one good hole could toss me over the handle bars. Garmin was showing >> 47.5 when I lightly squeezed the rear brake. Fortunately the Paul's Racers >> have excellent modulation and I safely slowed enough to feel OK. >> >> But when I got to the bottom I asked myself why I chickened out, since I >> was just fine, and thought that the next time I would lay off the brakes. >> But this hasn't happened. Instead each time I have gone down it, I have >> gone slower and slower. Today I took out my Trek, which has 32 mm TServes >> to see if I would feel more comfortable at higher speeds with the softer >> tire. But when I got to the top of the hill I realized I had no real taste >> for the experiment. I went down at 25, until I could see the good pavement >> at the bottom and then I let it roll out to 39. >> >> So I ask myself, is this wisdom, or just yielding to irrational anxiety. >> >> Michael >> Westford, VT >> > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/X254zJBOfv4J. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
[RBW] Re: Wisdom or Cowardice, how fast to go downhill?
Intuition is a good thing. Listen to it. On Friday, July 13, 2012 9:53:40 AM UTC-5, Michael Hechmer wrote: > > I'm not a particularly anxious person, although I do get anxious when > someone compliments my courage! I regularly downhill at 40+ mph and have > hit 50 on good pavement and reasonably straight mountain descents without > too much anxiety, but one hill this year has me spooked. > > One of my favorite routes is a 23 mile ride with 1400 feet of climbing > that is equally divided among lightly traveled & good dirt roads, mostly > descent chip & seal town roads, and a third of moderately traveled state > roads. It provides beautiful pastoral scenery, a good view of the whole of > the Mt. Mansfield ridge line, and a stretch along the Lamoille River, > including the impressive Fairfax Falls. In the past I have always ridden it > counter clockwise, which includes a beast of a 3K climb, including a K of > 20%+ grade right in the middle. This year I reversed direction and have > been riding it clockwise on my Rambouillet, with a very nice set of Grand > Bois Cerf tires. The first time down it I discovered the pavement on the > steepest section was not in good condition, no pot holes or heaves, just > lots of broken chip and seal. The bumping was quite dramatic and I felt > like one good hole could toss me over the handle bars. Garmin was showing > 47.5 when I lightly squeezed the rear brake. Fortunately the Paul's Racers > have excellent modulation and I safely slowed enough to feel OK. > > But when I got to the bottom I asked myself why I chickened out, since I > was just fine, and thought that the next time I would lay off the brakes. > But this hasn't happened. Instead each time I have gone down it, I have > gone slower and slower. Today I took out my Trek, which has 32 mm TServes > to see if I would feel more comfortable at higher speeds with the softer > tire. But when I got to the top of the hill I realized I had no real taste > for the experiment. I went down at 25, until I could see the good pavement > at the bottom and then I let it roll out to 39. > > So I ask myself, is this wisdom, or just yielding to irrational anxiety. > > Michael > Westford, VT > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/7zOArdNDdBIJ. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
