How do I get over the fear?

Frank

Frank

Member
OK fellow members. I told you before that I joined this site even though I am an e-bike user to learn about trails and technique. It's been a minute since I was on last but i finally have my first question. I currently ride Chino Hills State Park and Floop. My question is:What is the best way to tackle steep descents? For those of you who have been on Bane Ridge Trail, there are a couple of steep (at least for me), almost blind drops especially the first one right after the electric towers. I have looked at tips on youtube and have pretty much tried to use techniques used but whenever I get up there, I completely freeze. Maybe they are not as steep as I think but I just can't get over the fear of sending it down steep single track descents. Maybe its just a mental block as I have gone through a lot of the longer steep descents and flows on Floop with not a lot of trepidation. What can I do to get over the anxiety?
 
Frank said:
:What is the best way to tackle steep descents? What can I do to get over the anxiety?
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Get a lighter bike.

Seriously, If you figure out how to decent "green" descents on a fix seatpost hardtail you will be on your way to mastering body bike separation and most other aspects of descending.
If you can't get over the fear of going downhill, stay on the fire road (or get a road bike).
 
Frank said:
OK fellow members. I told you before that I joined this site even though I am an e-bike user to learn about trails and technique. It's been a minute since I was on last but i finally have my first question. I currently ride Chino Hills State Park and Floop. My question is:What is the best way to tackle steep descents? For those of you who have been on Bane Ridge Trail, there are a couple of steep (at least for me), almost blind drops especially the first one right after the electric towers. I have looked at tips on youtube and have pretty much tried to use techniques used but whenever I get up there, I completely freeze. Maybe they are not as steep as I think but I just can't get over the fear of sending it down steep single track descents. Maybe its just a mental block as I have gone through a lot of the longer steep descents and flows on Floop with not a lot of trepidation. What can I do to get over the anxiety?
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I don't remember anything really steep at Chino Hills, but the general rule is to get your weight as far back as possible... Get your butt off the seat! As HBkites says above, even without a dropper, you want your behind as far back as you can get it. A dropper post makes this much easier...
 
Faust29 said:
I don't remember anything really steep at Chino Hills, but the general rule is to get your weight as far back as possible... Get your butt off the seat! As HBkites says above, even without a dropper, you want your behind as far back as you can get it. A dropper post makes this much easier...
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There is a point that far back is too far.
You got to get some wight on your front wheel. On steep decent is not a problem, but on a green decent siting too far back can lead to front wheel washout.... just saying.
 
Faust29 said:
I don't remember anything really steep at Chino Hills, but the general rule is to get your weight as far back as possible... Get your butt off the seat! As HBkites says above, even without a dropper, you want your behind as far back as you can get it. A dropper post makes this much easier...
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Bane Ridge up by the Electric towers. Or maybe its me just being chicken. The first time I rode that section of trail, I almost went over the bar after my front tire hit a rut. I've never been able to go down it since.
 
HBkites said:
There is a point that far back is too far.
You got to get some wight on your front wheel. On steep decent is not a problem, but on a green decent siting too far back can lead to front wheel washout.... just saying.
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This happened to me at Marshall Canyon once. I unfortunately know the feeling too well.
 
Faust29 said:
I don't think with his level he's going to get back that far... I'm not sure we're even off the seat yet.
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Definitely off the seat with a dropper post. I am decent on other trails within the park (Faultline, Sidewinder, Telegraph, Southridge) but for some reason Bane Ridge puts the fear of God in me.
 
Frank said:
That's the thing. I think it may be a mental block. I am able to fly down Faultline and Sidewinder as well as all the fire roads I have encountered so far at CHSP but for some reason when I do Bane, I freeze.
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I had to look up which trail that was... I’ve only been there a handful of times. It definitely has a few rocks to pop off, and a couple steep little "drops".

If you’re not comfortable, walk... But they are all rollable. Keep your weight back and let the bike have fun. I remember encountering hikers last time in February, and I had to take lines I didn’t care for... Got wonky a couple times. Still a fun descent.
 
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Faust29 said:
I had to look up which trail that was... I’ve only been there a handful of times. It definitely has a few rocks to pop off, and a couple steep little "drops".

If you’re not comfortable, walk... But they are all rollable. Keep your weight back and let the bike have fun. I remember encountering hikers last time in February, and I had to take lines I didn’t care for... Got wonky a couple times. Still a fun descent.
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I'm headed there tomorrow. I'll let you know what happens!
 
Keep you pedals level. Drop your seat if you have a dropper. Look where you wanna go. Bend your elbows and knees.....relax. Same goes for your hands...no death grip.

The couple of steep/rocky spots that you are speaking of, have alternate lines. If you are not comfortable with the steep line, take the easier line.

Otherwise, speed/momentum is your friend. Don't try to crawl down it....it is harder to control you and your bike. Roll in with a little speed and the bike will roll through the chunk. Keep your weight in the center to the rear of the bike, don't overweight the front end.

And most of it is mental. They are not as steep as you think they are. Yes, they have some loose babyheads to negotiate, but again speed will carry you through those.
 
Last time I was there I went otb rolling into the section from the towers headed toward the ranch..... But really, if that is the section you are talking about there are way steeper imo, sections between the o top of sidewinder and the towers...
 
@Frank - what bike? Is this your e-bike?

I don't know how steep Bane is. I don't know if there are turns or obstacles. I don't know if there is a flat runout. I don't know if the texture is loose, rutted or solid. So I can't provide advice as to how to overcome your hesitation.

I have a friend who has one stupid little rock section of about 10' in length stuck in his head and he can't get himself to ride it. He did overcome it for a while, but now his hesitation is back. I can't seem to cure him of it, and he rides more difficult stuff just fine.

If it's your e-bike, it's heavy and gains speed quickly. Maybe that has something to do with it. I would wait until you have people to ride with who can show you, encourage you or bandage you.
 
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mtnbikej said:
@Frank

Are we talking about 3:27 here?

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If so, it's straight, relatively smooth and has a flat to uphill runout. Close your eyes and let go of the brakes! Hold your handle bars straight. Recover at the bottom.

OK, maybe not close your eyes - but the more you try to creep down a section like that, the more likely you are to slide one of your tires.
 
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If you ride the FLoop, there are a lot of shorter drops you can practice that are so short that you don't have any time to second guess.

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