For your next trip to Sugarloaf or the Blue Ridge...
Here are some suggestions for safe descending on a road bike (note "inside" means the side you are turning toward):
* On straight and gently turning descents you can add stability by sliding back on the seat and griping the top tube between your knees.
* On sharper turns make sure your hands are in the drops, index finger on the brakes, elbows bent.
* Keep your weight balanced 50/50 between front and rear wheel. Be aware that when you brake you will tend to slide forward (the bike slows down, you don't). Make sure your inside pedal is up, outside pedal is down, and weight the outside pedal hard! Try to press the front and rear tire into the road. Be aware that if you rise off the seat you may decrease rear wheel traction if you are not balanced fore and aft. Point your inside knee in the direction of your turn.
* Do all your braking before the turn, using both front and rear brakes. In the turn ease off the brakes, especially the front brake. Hitting the front brake hard in the turn tends to straighten up the bike when it should be leaning, resulting in a too shallow a turn and sometimes running off the road. If you must add some brake during the turn, gently apply the rear brake.
* Davis Phinney, winningest US bike racer, recommends "counter steering". To do this lean the bike into the turn, then press the inside handlebar forward. This increases the lean of the bike, which increases the turn.
* Try to "apex" the turns, moving outside the turn, going inside at the "apex", then outside again. Make sure you don't swerve into a following car or another cyclist. Remember, you need to stay to the right unless you are moving at the same speed as traffic.
* Watch out for places where you may loose tire adhesion, such as wet or oily spots, or sand or gravel in the road. Slow before this stuff and try to ride straight through it, then turn when you are safely past it.
* Also watch out for rocks and road debris which can cause flats or skids. Look where you want to go, not where you don't want to go. If you focus on a rock in the road, chances are you'll hit it.
* Look at the road ahead, not what's directly in front of you. The faster you go, the farther ahead you need to look. If you look right under your front wheel you won't be able to react fast enough to what's coming up.
* Try mountain biking off road, practicing turns, front and rear braking, and controlled rear wheel skids to increase your bike handling skills.
Ask for help from a more experienced rider. Ask them to go easy down a hill you feel comfortable with, follow them and do what they do. Many of us learn best by watching and imitating.
Bill Becher is a Masters racer with Conejo Velo in Southern California. While he's far from the fastest descender in the club, he has the scars to prove he's explored the limits of tire adhesion.