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Conference noted::bicycle

Title: Bicycling
Notice:Bicycling for Fun
Moderator:JAMIN::WASSER
Created:Mon Apr 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3214
Total number of notes:31946

1104.0. "ATB techniques?" by DELNI::S_HELMREICH () Wed Apr 12 1989 17:47

If there is not a note on mountain bike technique, can this be one?


I went down a hill so steep that I found myself nearly heading over the
handlebars.  I was at impending lockup on the rear wheel, and clamping
hard on the front wheel (which, of course, wouldn't lock).  I had lowered the
seat, and tried to get "back" on the bike, but that isn't too easy unless you
sit on the seat, which seemed to be the wrong thing to do.

Any ideas for handling (these or other) extreme situations? 


Steve
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
1104.1stalking the wild descent;AHOUSE::ACKLEYStill the King of NothingWed Apr 12 1989 20:4617
    
    	For going down those real steep hills, you stick your butt back 
    farther over the back wheel.    In some cases I have got the bellybutton
    on the seat.    Of course, this won't improve the braking much,
    but at least it should keep you from going over the handlebars.
    It does help if the seat is down.    I sometimes practice with
    staircases.
    
    	For braking I like to keep my brakes tight enough so that
    fingers will fit between the brake handles and the handlebars,
    even when the brakes are *on*.   Then when you brake going down
    a long trail section, you can brake with two fingers and hold
    the bars with the other two fingers.   You can even rotate to
    use a different two fingers, since on a long descent, the braking 
    can really wear out the forearms.

    							Alan.
1104.2Only genuine chamois brake pads will do.WMOIS::N_FLYEYThu Apr 13 1989 00:301
    Drag your shorts on the rear knobbies.
1104.3Short SaverTILTS::KILDARESun Apr 16 1989 04:229
                     <downhill descent>
                     
    If you find yourself going down hill alot, and don't want skid marks
    on your shorts. Try installing a rear MTB Rack (a sturdy one) and
    using it a psuedo seat. 
    
                                        bubba
    
    
1104.4Mountain Dew commercials are done with mirrorsDONVAN::T_THEOIntentionally left blankThu Apr 20 1989 15:3914
    
    I was not as fortunate as the author of the basenote and wound up
    under the bike (Three times, MAN that smarts!) I had attempted a
    decent off the face of a rock ledge, about a 40 degree drop angle.
    At 14 years of age on my first BMX bike, regaining my composure
    would have been easy, but outta shape, outta style and 26, I took
    the tumble. I survived the fall, but reflecting upon the decent
    I should have lean back harder. I have to agree with one of the
    previous replies in that resting your bellybutton against the back
    of the seat is your best position while attempting steep downhills.
    
    Tim
    
    
1104.5BTO::MANDILE_AJust Do ItMon May 08 1989 23:3410
    
    
    My favorite way to handle the steep descents is to, put my Gluteus
    over the rear wheel, and lock up my rear tire, and use enough brake 
    on the front to control speed, but not lock up the front tire....
    
    It can be fun....
    
    Albert
    
1104.6Confidence...LACV01::DAVIDSONHave gun...will travelFri Jul 14 1989 20:1011
    A lot of time and tail bustin' can be saved by watching other people
    (successfully) negotiate downhills and hairball trails.
    
    I practice on little steep ones until I can predict how the bike
    reacts-ya' gotta' know your ride.  Use the failures/successes of
    the folks that you've seen before as your training material.
      
    Confidence is what gets you down a lot of those downhills, you develope
    that with successes.  Start off small and you get confident quickly.
    
    The fun really starts when you get cocky....