Mr Motorcycles Naike trail Ride this Sunday (22nd)

[krad_nz]

Nice picsthe thing with photos is its hard to do justice to the steepness of that hill.
I was going to take some pics on my second loop, but after I stretched my hammy, flagged doing another, trouble with being old and unfit

I remember seeing a guy, possibly you, hobbling about just after the first little stream crossing? I think you were wearing some sort of blue/white get up?

[Latte]

Yeah its easier to go down a steep hill faster than slow... if there is run off. If however there is a hair pin at the bottom well it needs to be a controlled decent.

Imagine the carnage on that hill if it had been wet!?

Yep you are right there, there is definitely a "too fast" as well as a "too slow". - I guess I missed that point out

But I do feel if your all tense, arms locked, weight forward you are just as out of control. You wouldn't ride on the flat like that, and you wouldnt ride up a hill leaning all the way back.

[krad_nz]

Yup, thats definetly true. Wish I did that though

[camchain]

Till you fall off and watch the bike endo down the hill LOL!!!!!!

Ha ha. 'Flat hill' trick isn't a 'one size fits all' or magic bullet deal that's for sure. Was also going to quote spiked punch: "It's easy to feel like you're out of control or going too fast down a hill" - and add - it's easy to feel like that by actually going too fast etc.lol know that feeling quite well. Enough to make the mascara(sp?) run a bit.

[oldguy]

I remember seeing a guy, possibly you, hobbling about just after the first little stream crossing? I think you were wearing some sort of blue/white get up?

na i spun it on a grassy downhill, just before the forest section, I wear black and grey Fly gear. got a blue helmet though.
I did have an of on the little A loop the other side of the forest section took the wrong line down the track towards the the big rocks drop it, just not thinking end up with a sore knee, on the return back up the hill their is a tight left hand turn then up a steep short climb, it must have looked so funny
as I gunned it to go up I was pretty much doing the Superman but lying on top of my bike just trying to stay on

[Crisis management]

Reading about everyones downhill dilemas got me thinking about how I deal with them (or not), general disclaimer applies here: I'm reasonably new to off road and get passed by everyone......
I like Camchains idea of a flat on the angle, I'm not sure I can convince my brain of that, I'll get back to you on that one after the weekend.

Basics: Downhill the bike has the front end loaded up which compresses the forks, reduces the trail and makes the front end want to tank slap, tuck under and generally spit you off. To reduce this you have to get the weight off the front by moving your body weight rearwards and using the rear brake to compress the rear suspension.

So.... Stance: The same as for braking...standing with your arse as far back and low as possible, just about touching the rear guard.

Rear braking: This will compress the rear suspension slightly keeping the front suspension extended as much as possible and, more importantly will keep the rear wheel behind the front wheel. I have trouble regulating the rear brake and end up locking the wheel at times so be prepared to use the clutch so you don't stall. I do use engine braking (yes, it works even on a 2 stroke) so select a useful gear and, on a horrible slope, I have used the kill switch to stop the engine and use the engine being driven by the rear wheel as a brake...very effective too!

Front braking: This is the one that will stop you...apply the rear brake first, then the front, slowly and progressively to avoid compressing the forks or locking the front wheel. Practise on the flat first...a good way to do this is to find a loose surface (gravel is good) ride in first or second with a constant throttle and apply the front brake. With practice you will be able to take the front wheel to the point of locking and be able to apply and release the brake, feeling the wheel getting to the point of lock up and being able to release it enough to avoid the lock up and maintain braking force.
Apply this to downhills and you will find you have control of your speed.

Choose where you brake! Most hills have steep bits and not so steep bits, let the bike run over the steep bits and brake on the less steep bits, you don't need much space to slow the bike down considerably.

Speed: As much as you can convince yourself of...like any off road surface speed gets you over stuff smoothly and lets you readily use balance to steer the bike. Once you can trust your braking you can carry more speed so practise the stopping bits first.

Thats about it, anyone got any suggestions?

[scott411]

that is a pretty good summary of what to do, the main thing is to stand up, that will make it easier, you should stand most of the tricky bits in a ride,

and i tend to try to stay in a lower gear to let the engine braking work as well as possible, and also this helps not lock up the rear wheel,

best things about down hills is you always end up at the bottom anyway,