This question was posted in another thread relating to your highest speed ever. I felt it was good enough to start a new thread for folks to discuss.
Wether you race or ride recreationaly, being smooth and competant on the bike says a lot about your labor of love. In the finer aspects of life on the bike, it not only makes a statement about your ability, it serves a very practical function of staving off injury to self and others.
Add high speed decents to the equation of your form and you either have a recipe for a beautiful expression of control and mastery of the art, or a great way to way to get yourself or someone else hurt.
IMO: The ten essentials to descending like a rock star...
1) Know your limits. I have seen enough people find out too late once in a corner that they are in over their head. I have even done that a few times myself and learned the very hard way. Don't assume because another cyclist clears a corner that you can do the same. The nuances of sticking a line are very subtle and hard to recognize. A seasoned rider will be better equipped to stick a tough line. Again, know your own limits.
2) Visualize or die. Make sure your brain believes what your body and the environ around you are asking it do. Remember the times you have cornered well. Tell yourself that this time is no different and that you can do. Believe it, and it makes committing to the line much easier.
3) Once you commit, stay committed. If you try to stick a line, bailing out (or even breaking) once the corner is initiated means that doom is 90% certain.
4) Own your line, not the road. Pick a good apex, and don’t let it go. Blowing your line will affect other riders around you and could get someone hurt.
5) Once you hit your brakes, your corner is blown. Because your center of gravity has been readjusted, the bike goes upright (this is different then feathering your brakes to scrub speed). Always try to brake before the corner, and make only small adjustments to line and speed once in the corner.
6) Where you look is where you go. Keep your eye on the apex, not the ditch on the other side of the road. This is most overlooked cornering principle I know of.
7) Make decisions with your bottom bracket, not your handlebars. At high speed, your center of gravity is the end all and be all to holding a line. Always reinforce your bottom bracket decisions by weighting your downward pedal.
8) The higher your speed, the slower your movements. A little twitch at high speed has a big effect, and countering a mistake takes supreme confidence and skill.
9) If you do hit your brakes, your front has 70% more stopping power. Ease into any major braking action. Panicking and locking them up turns you into a sled with runners that go "boom".
10) Have a "back door". Riding with other cyclist, or cars for that matter, requires that you have an emergency exit if things go wrong. If someone takes your line, its your problem. Think ahead, it could save your life.
