10 Biggest Descending Mistakes On A Road Bike

[@gildassamzun5265]

You forgot the most important ! Don't take too much risk ! We are NOT pro-cyclist trying to win Tour de France !!! We don't get paid at the end. We don't have any spare bike if you crash. We don't have a pro mechanics that check daily our machine. We don't receive medical assistance as fast as what we see on TV. We don't get the best medical and physio support to recover after a crash (Remco was riding 3 month after his crash, for us, it's at least a year off without any sport or worst, END of any sport activity for ever !). Etc... So take it easy, ride SAFE !

[@Rajesh-cg5pz]

Absolutely important points!

[@jsp001]

@Gildas and co With all that "DON'Ts"... you guys shouldnt be doing "Road-biking". Stick to golf....

[@bitchoflivingblah]

For God's sake don't ever watch any Safa Brian vids.

[@alvisebusetto4364]

@@bitchoflivingblah ride fast die young who gives a shit 🤘🤘🤘

[@apm9507]

Trail ride on a fat tire bike or mountain bike. Less traffic!

[@lorenzhas4342]

Hank going down the hill with 50 km/h+ without glasses, next tip: Don't take your sunglasses off :D

[@melihsaruhan2462]

Whahahahahahah😂😂😂😂

[@KermitFrogThe]

He followed the rules. If you aren't wearing sunglasses you aren't taking them off. Next week Captain Pedantic explains the apostrophy

[@Joshua-dx7zn]

They wanted to add to the list "Don't superman while going down a mountain" but Hank kept messing up filming by riding superman down the mountain with no sun glasses and chatting with his mate on his flip phone.

[@jasonhanson6563]

Because Manon knows what’s up.

[@Leithboys]

No cap don’t brake be happy

[@MrAyley7]

Additional: “Don’t stand in the middle of the road holding “allez opi-omi!” signage. You’ll just endanger other cyclists.

[@Apocraphtica]

My heart....

[@Eng586]

Btw I just found this out that sign apparently means “go grandma-grandpa”

[@larrycameron859]

It's actually "Go Down For Grandma Grandpa"

[@aliensporebomb]

And making them wider than an automobile for no apparent reason.

[@trollgag5221]

Oh I have one related tip. Bring a truck to a signboard fight.

[@TheBsheep]

oh darn....I was actually planning on checking my emails on my next descend

[@KermitFrogThe]

Wasn't on the list, go right ahead.

[@sagnikbhattacharya1202]

instructions unclear

[@chadgregory9037]

I think basic instinct of not wanting to die has prevented me from doing these things previously

[@陳楷佑-z5i]

😂

[@swagatadhar]

Quite an important lesson! Don’t underestimate descents. We always tend to take descents lightly because they are ‘easy’ from an effort perspective. If you have a new bike try it out on smaller descents first before doing the HCs!

[@Zwaehn]

Same rule as for motor bike riders, use the entire road width when cornering to make sure your head is always significantly away from the road's centerline. So your head will be in a safe distance from cars, lorries etc driving on the other lane.

[@KermitFrogThe]

Number of times I have seen bikers, motor or not with tyres on their side of the road and head or more on opposite side is crazy. If there is anything in your head you value keep it on your side of the road. If not please let the Darwin awards team know where to send yours.

[@Andy_ATB]

@@KermitFrogThe Just follow the advanced motorcycling advice about taking a line 'giving yourself a view'. And be able to stop on your own side of the road within the amount of road you can see.

[@Andy_ATB]

Safety before positioning!

[@KermitFrogThe]

@@Andy_ATB Not done the advanced motorbike, just basic, but having head on my side of the road just seemed logical.

[@jefferycampbell2243]

I learned at an early age to keep certain parts of my anatomy away from the top tube. Seeing people sit on the top tube at speed reminds me of that painful experience.

[@Horus-Lupercal]

I guess Manon has less *cargo* to worry about, lol.

[@RussellChapman99]

My fastest ever descent was 59 mph, pretty much 100 kph. As I was cycling up the hill, I checked for loose gravel etc, the road was clean and I would come back the same way. It was a joyous 3km descent.

[@syrus3k]

I wish I had that kind of confidence. I came off on a 20% descent back in March this year and it's taken me a long time to just get back to 'normal' confidence wise. It's frustrating as I know that I have grip etc, just my unconscious mind can't handle it lol.

[@RussellChapman99]

@@syrus3k When I was a kid, I fell off a school climbing frame. Knocked myself out. Took me nearly a year to get over fear of that climbing frame. We all have scrapes, bumps and falls. I checked the road very carefully before doing the descent. It could be a start of the way of rebuilding your confidence. Also make sure you have very good brakes. Don't have brake pads which are in direct contact with carbon fibre while on long descents, you will melt the resin. Have disc brakes or aluminium rims.

[@syrus3k]

@@RussellChapman99 I don't have carbon wheels unfortunately. Or disc brakes which I'd really like..

[@RussellChapman99]

@@syrus3k Then you should be fine on the descent

[@RussellChapman99]

@@syrus3k Carbon wheels will only make a difference to top level athletes. Losing body weight is most likely to improve performance for many people.

[@rossbroomfield453]

Don’t sit on your top tube...superman position is far more effective!

[@UpstreamNL]

True. And if you fall you might lose your teeth, which just means less weight.

[@burakklc4945]

@@UpstreamNL if you fall you'll lose your physical body which is the most ideal, weightless cyclist is the nirvana !!

[@ronm7114]

@@burakklc4945 😂

[@Eng586]

Needed to lose more weight anyways! Thanks for the tips!

[@adn003100]

lol, an actually dangerous position

[@RickyBaxt3r]

Is it sad to say that I'm jealous of those roads?! 😍

[@imransheikhinfo]

Yeah, love the beautiful roads GCN shows off!! So jealous!

[@neilday1138]

These mountains are in the Rhondda Valley, South Wales.

[@adredy]

@@neilday1138 found 2 today at northamtonshire 60km/h not bad awesome weather !

[@gruffuddabowain6589]

@@neilday1138 Bwlch, Rhigos, Llangynidr?

[@neilday1138]

@@gruffuddabowain6589 Bwlch mate

[@philiptaylor2366]

One of the best thing I've learned while riding my bike is that you go where you look. This is especially true when descending round a bend. If you realise your line is wrong the instinctive thing is to look where you think you might crash, but this is self fulfilling - instead, look around the apex and towards where you want to go - invariably your line will change and you'll make it round the corner.

[@highlyunlikely]

yes! best tip of all. surprised they didn't mention this. keep your eyes on where you want to go, not where you don't want to go.

[@WarHammerWH]

Thanks for this very important tip!

[@geoffanderson4869]

Do remember to wave and grin at cyclists struggling up the hill as you descend in style.

[@alexishernandez7220]

😂😂nice one

[@mrrodriguezHLP]

Do let the E-bike, you're passing on the descent who passed you on the ascent, know as loud as possible: ON YOUR LEFT!

[@wallacewestmeath]

@@mrrodriguezHLP I love passing E Bikes ... even better if i can do it on the flat . not so easy when they have tricked the sensor and have no limit

[@Bellezzasolo]

@@wallacewestmeath I saw one off going uphill recently on my commuter bike - blew past his 250W limiter!

[@Bils1280]

This video is what NOT to do while descending :D

[@alexblue04]

I want to see Hank as a youth coach. In a couple of years these kids would be machines! 😎

[@Ergustavinho]

What a BLING RING … congrats Manon !

[@fionahunt8530]

I spotted that too.

[@nemeczek67]

Do not play a violin while descending. Especially Paganini's Caprices.

[@mountpepega5854]

sacrilegious

[@MrZinoHD]

@@mountpepega5854 and lamentable same time ;)

[@charlottes.2807]

Ling ling could do it

[@nanxihins]

That would be an awesome ling ling work out

[@larrycameron859]

It's fine to play your tuba tho and it let's drivers know you're out there

[@imransheikhinfo]

I knew Conor was tall, but DAMN! He's practically an Ent!! Great video (as always)!

[@ved2665]

The Bwlch - nice 👍 If anyone is interested, it's actually a really good descent to practice and build confidence before heading somewhere like the alps. The two sides they used were from Nant-y-moel and Treorchy.

[@bitchoflivingblah]

cheers Ved.

[@whatwelearned]

"WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO? DON'T DO IT!" -Hank's friends and family, all the time (presumably)

[@agneia8170]

I love how hank screams at every tip in his clip. I love the expressiveness mate.

[@ViveSemelBeneVivere]

As a motorcycling mentor said "Keep your eyes on the road and the rest of you will safely follow." Very true!

[@joes3703]

You all showed the pros that you really are! That’s for the content and the delivery was great!

[@shenzhenpingpong]

Don't have a tyre blowout in middle of the descent. Check your tires. GCN needs a video of what to do when a tyre suddenly flats.

[@albertwilliam193]

You’re telling me I’m not meant to supertuck to get a KOM, risk worth taking

[@jamesmckenzie3532]

Actually top tube safe is better as your bum is planted on the saddle and your hands are on the bar (drops) where you can pull the brakes and sit up to put pressure on the rear tyre.

[@ronm7114]

i think for a kom its more worth havin a front rider communicating with u rather then exchanging life or death situations.

[@dougbailey2565]

I crashed a few years ago going down a steep grade. Still have PTSD from it sometimes when descending fast. Great video

[@chrisbaum998]

"Hopefully we will see Hank on another video", Connor. Followed by Manon's, "I give up." Best quotes of the video GCN!!!

[@hAzeIxD]

explaining whilst in motion makes this video pretty cool

[@Shen986]

"Don't do any of these things we're about to do on camera."

[@ChromeStrand]

2:14 Scared me there Hank!

[@iancwalker5]

Early this year I climbed Mt Seymour, a 12km ride with 1000m ascent. I brought a merino wool base layer and wind shell for the descent, but it wasn’t enough. The weather was warm & sunny at the start of the ride, but changed to a cold rain at the top. I got chilled because I stopped too long at the top and didn’t bring enough to eat. I shivered on the way down so badly I had to stop or lose control. Lesson learned, if the weather turns wet, don’t dawdle at the top, get on your rain shell and get off the hill.

[@snowdirt62]

Nice rock Manon ! Congratulations 🤗. Best reveal ever 😁. Ken on the Hudson River

[@mickwilson2170]

I'm sure Manon just used her left hand to wipe her face to show off that massive rock!!

[@matoatlantis]

Noticed that too. ;)

[@jendralhxr]

she's taken. I am heart-broken

[@apm9507]

Now we need Manon to do the GCN reply to Casually Explained cycling video, Are Pregnant Women Aero? We need more people like Manon in the world, and there is one proven way to get more people!

[@F1ll1nTh3Blanks]

Boulder more like. XD

[@metallusmelandril7380]

Congrats

[@daniel.3603]

Hank: “ dont do this, it’s extremely dangerous and you could crash off of the mountain!” Also Hank: * does it as a demonstration * 😂😂

[@padmamanjaridevi2893]

Im ur 30th like

[@MachinegunAK]

That is one big piece of shiny rock on Manon's left hand! Nice and congrats!

[@jaydesimone4297]

These are good tips. The biggest thing I took away was Hank talking about taking descents at 55 kph. My comfort limit under optimal conditions is 55-60 kph. It's good to know that even someone as crazy as Hank considers that an appropriate speed.

[@syrus3k]

I find one of the biggest dangers is trying to keep up with your mates when you don't know the descent.. that ended up with me crashing once.

[@jamesmckenzie3532]

Love the looks on Hank's face. He and Thomas V. are in a contest for most unusual faces.

[@danbartolo8759]

As I am new to the sport, I very much appreciate the good advice 😎

[@nightsfalling]

What a cool shoot 1:54 with the rainbow in the sky.

[@nalissa77]

Congratulations on the engagement Manon! Nice ring indeed.

[@remitournier2526]

During a race in the mountains we were hit by thunder with very heavy rain. I therefore took my glasses off for the climb and totally forgot to put them on for the descent. Going at 70kph downhill under heavy rain without glasses is... Pretty scary to say the least! I waited a straight line to put them back which was another stressful moment. Never again!!

[@toni_nz_]

Sheesh 70ks! Is that even possible? Makes me nervous thinking about it.

[@Bellezzasolo]

@@toni_nz_ My fastest descent was 90 kph... kzbin.info/www/bejne/fmjHc6aGi9ppirc

[@remitournier2526]

@@toni_nz_ Yes in a descent it's easily doable! I wish you experience it one (nice) day, it's lots of fun ☺️

[@tedjohnson64]

If you’re descending via a different road than you climbed up, beware of possible wet spots in the road (condensation from overnight) in corners which are in shadows from trees.

[@gregmuon]

Don't descend on the friggin hoods. Get in the drops. At least for technical descents, especially rough roads. Don't put the wrong foot down in corners!

[@plixplux]

Care to elaborate for a descent gumby?

[@Rjbotman]

That's a good one! Did a descent on the hoods a while back, and nearly bounced off. The road wasn't that rough either. I didn't really think that was possible, but that was scary! I was just about able to get grip again! So yeah, drops everytime when I'm descending

[@TimIrwin26]

@@plixplux Hands on hoods puts you higher up (higher center of gravity) and a bump could potentially knock you off of the hoods. On the hoods does provide slightly more wind resistance for speed control w/o brakes. I've found the drops to be more stable, much more secure, and less likely to have trouble with shimmy / death wobble if your bike is prone to that.

[@gregmuon]

@@plixplux Tim Irwin already covered it for the most part. More stable, more secure, lower center of gravity. Also, you have full power from the brakes in the drop position, and braking hard tends to push you into the hooks, rather than off the hoods. With vintage pre STI bikes, you _had_ to use the drops for descents -- unless you wanted to crash. Modern brakes allow it, but you still won't be as fast and safe on the hoods as on the drops.

[@PrzemyslawSliwinski]

Keep a distance when descending in a group?

[@user-lv7fp3lx4h]

The most important of all!

[@scottbaker5851]

For me if not racing, about a bike length or a tad more. If the person in front is really not good going downhill lots more room.

[@_Philip_.]

@@scottbaker5851 a bike lentgh is tight already, I'd say 2 bike lenghts to descende happily, I hate the guys who descend aggresivly and breaking late just to show you how slow you are going...

[@ildutcho]

Getting out of a speedwobble on a descent was quite a happy feeling 😌

[@hanshans387]

That's a massive rock on manon's ring finger - congrats!!!!!!!

[@michaelo6870]

Thanks for the tips! However, my biggest problems are potholes, cracks in the asphalt and gravel on the road...

[@bergerniklas6647]

Just come to switzerland, problem solved 😛

[@The_Dude_420]

Thats why you dont ride road bikes lol

[@michaelo6870]

@@bergerniklas6647 Ist für kommenden August vorgesehen!!! :-)

[@robertrhodes8702]

I love descending. Gave myself a bit of a scare though on one unfamiliar road descent by hitting 70.9km/h on my MTB and had a slight speed wobble. I only had my cell phone in my back pocket with Strava recording my ride, and my bike computer was at home. So (1) I had no idea what speed I was doing and (2) I was descending fast on unfamiliar territory. GULP!

[@slwsnowman4038]

I had a light go yellow and I was far enough away I was sure I could stop...just to find out how bad my pads had become and ended up turning instead of stopping in the middle of the box.

[@bevernekydr.4478]

I had an accident while descending, since that I’m really anxious at descending. I hope with time I get comfortable again on the bike.

[@SpiDey1500]

What happened? I’m anxious about a tire fail.. something you can not control

[@trufflemonster5399]

Yup. I got speed wobble a couple of years ago. Now 60km/h is my top speed. Considering I do not nor will I ever race and 99.9% of my cycling is commuting and solo rides this suits perfectly.

[@francoisthomas4930]

I recently changed my 25mm tires for a pair of 28mm, and the difference is amazing in terms of grip for cornering and descending, I gained a lot of confidence and now I can drop my friends (at least) on descents haha

[@SpiDey1500]

@@trufflemonster5399 my top speed is 77kmh … with a new bike and 28 tubeless

[@slwsnowman4038]

I've always been self conscious about melting the bead. Can't wait until I get a bike with disc brakes.

[@fernandostenkebeira6724]

I friend of mine had a big crash on last Sunday in a descending. Probably he calculated wrong the speed to make the curve... He is still in hospital and his healthy state is not good. So this video is really important, to highlight the risks and cares about it.

[@VictorElGreco]

I never thought of asphalt feeling like *ice* in the heat but it certainly feels soft and mushy. That’s exactly the case as we speak, July 2021, with 40+ degrees Celsius around the Mediterranean.

[@RezaAgustaJalanEnakEja]

2:16 Love Descending! Keep Pedalling Hard Guys..! More Speed More Interesting!

[@israeltovar3513]

Hey, did I just watched a big diamond on Manon's left hand?

[@alphaquiorem2556]

1:05 spotted !

[@charlificity]

Happened a month or so ago, I think. The happy moment was posted on Instagram :)

[@alphaquiorem2556]

Can we all agree that she is GORGEOUS 😍

[@israeltovar3513]

Thanks for the info. I have no Instagram...

[@chornykot03]

never knew about the pushing on your outside pedal while cornering.

[@conceptualme]

It also has the effect of raising your inside foot/pedal so you don't scrape it on the road if you're tipping the bike over far enough.

[@grahamballard7041]

It helps in lowering the center of gravity making the bike more stable, but you don’t need to actually push on it light pressure is best.

[@matheussmatti7812]

The Bwlch near Cwmparc-Treorchy in Wales is a stunning climbing/decending location :);)

[@mikecoe64]

The bwlch 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿👆🏼🙌🏼

[@matthiaswuest7271]

Regarding the hands on the bars - keep a good grip but don't tense up! Descending is fun and so much easier when you go into curves relaxed. As long as you stay alert and ready to brake, no reason you need to be death-gripping the bars. Sincerely, someone who used to death-grip his handlebar

[@asasdopedal]

Thanks for the advices!

[@mattburdock1734]

The LEGEND who locked up on a descent yesterday at the South Downs Tour, laid the bike almost flat on one side then the other side with the front wheel on opposite lock, sliding a total of about 20m and somehow magically stayed on. Only 5 people saw it but will never forget it 😂

[@musclelessfitness2045]

Not to do ?!?! ... oups! too late :D It's strange I didn't get to watch this video 2 years ago, but I'm glad I did now.

[@oliverc1293]

Well, this is just a month too late! I came round a sharp, blind bend on a steep, slippery, unfamiliar downhill 4 weeks ago with excessive speed - only to find another cyclist had just done the same and had come off. I braked to adjust my line (nice move) and lost my wheels. Eventually made it to A&E: had broken my wrist. Haven't been back on the bike since. I was, however, wearing sunglasses.

[@CyclingLifePT]

Also keep an eye out for rabbits, dogs and other wild life hiding behind the bushes. It already happened during stages of "Volta a Portugal" and a cyclist was already killed because of that. At 50km/h you must scan the road and its whereabouts, put yourself in the middle of the lane to avoid getting any surprises jumping from the sides of the road.

[@manfredmuench2657]

In China it is scooters appearing from either side without warning, stopping or looking.

[@ermagnifico932]

Manon!? Is that an engagement ring??!

[@matthewbaynham6286]

When you have just bought some brand new forks that look absolutely beautiful, don't over shoot a corner on a descent and slamming head on into a stone wall bending your forks so much your front wheel overlaps your down tube.

[@mikaelmm]

Watching you all showing what not to do really stressed the hell out of me! Once I broke my rule of not trying to pass a car on a curve while descending. Was exciting at the moment, but then I realized how stupid I was... I won't do it again.

[@michaelsingh843]

You go Hank🙌

[@shashizone]

Nice useful video Thanks

Great tips only!

[@coffeepot3123]

Just got my bike back from the mechanic today after postponing the rebuild since 2019 with no functioning bike during that time. Went out today with wind in the hair and i just felt my mind and body reawaken from a deep slumber.

[@davemoss6976]

Glasses can inhibit clear visibility, especially for older riders. Decending you want to have a clear view of the road surface well ahead, don't wear glasses. Wet bitumen. Actually potentially a bigger problem on a hot day in our colder climate than in a hot country because we use softer grade bitumen to prevent cracking in winter and it softens more on a hot day.

[@iancuk]

What a road! Spending an entire day going up and down that road would be a dream.

[@joshfilmer7663]

The bwlch mountain roads in Rhondda Valley south Wales. Some equally good roads on the rhigos mountain a short a ride away. Great place to call home! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@finechrome4037]

Lol at these. The “NOT to do” series is good sarcasm at best. It’s pretty obvious that humans like learning the hard way.

Top-notch advice

[@1mrudolf]

overtook a heavy truck once on a very steep downhill at 75 km/h. Still getting chills when I think about it. Luckily no oncoming traffic at the time otherwise I would not be typing this....

[@oliverbeckingham8928]

Where is this filmed? Looks incredible!

[@edwardwells5488]

Bwlch Mountain, South Wales.

[@n30seven15]

Nice video :-) Maybe you could have added "don't draft while in a group on open roads" because at high speed, only the first rider will see any danger coming and every rider behind will react with a bit of delay, causing a high risk of the last rider taking everybody down or worse. It is safer to always keep a bit of space, especially on open roads, we are all here to enjoy the descent and not to risk our lives unnecessarily.

[@jasonedward5161]

It’s a must for everyone!

[@landrover598]

Nice to see the Bwlch getting some screen time.

[@mkud1984]

am I the only rider not enjoying descending? I don't handle the speed too well, fear crashing or losing control. I'm on my brakes constantly

[@mathewrose2951]

I prefer descending cautiously because I harbor no illusion that I am a racer. If I have to wait for others at the top if the climbs, they can wait on me at the bottom

[@jasonlenthe8902]

I have to admit I have been very afraid to descend on the drops and only recently started doing it on small hills to get used to breaking on the drops.

[@helendale7668]

@@jasonlenthe8902 I descend on the drops because I'm not confident that I can break properly from the hoods !

[@lorraineglobe6892]

With you on that one!

[@bubblesezblonde]

LOL cute vid and congrats to Manon!

[@ryantwombly720]

This was clearly scripted at the pub, after somebody said, “Nah, mate, you’d never get by with that.” Then Hank said, “Hold my beer.”

[@Protoman888]

Is that Hartside Pass? EDIT- read the Welsh road sign, guess not. (suppose the sheep should have been a tipoff too) Nice mullet Conor!

[@oayysz8909]

Hank is a Maniac !

[@DougMorley1]

I once had a front wheel puncture whilst descending. Very frightening. I had to very gently feather the brakes to a stop.

[@brannmacfinnchad9056]

Decending with incipient hypothermia. Plan ahead for it being colder at the top of the mountain.

[@TheKinsayan]

Check your brakes too... Even it seems perfect, take time to be sure

[@drivemenuts3011]

Two weeks ago I was riding down a gentle slope at 35kph. As the cars in front were a long way in front and accelerating away I decided to look behind to see what the erratic white van was doing. It didn't end well. The cars in front became stationary and I broke my eye socket. I had a second to brake and Strava says I was going 25kph at impact. Two weeks of utter pain. Never look behind when you are going fast, even on the flat.

[@roichir7699]

I did underestimate a corner an ended up in oncoming traffic. At 50kph and in full bank this was quite interesting. Otherwise I did break some speed limits and got the radar trap to picture me on a few occasions. And I did get driven out a corner and ended up on the loose gravel on the shoulder. Not somwhere you want to be at 50kph. Especially when its a mountain road and you face a steep way down through the woods.

[@michaeldjitowibowo4014]

Could someone recommend me a decent carbon brake pad? (carbon rims) Swissstop, corima, or reynolds?

[@florianneithq1287]

Go for disc brakes :) -> joke aside: campagnolo red pads are a solid choice

[@michaeldjitowibowo4014]

@@florianneithq1287 thanks sir #saverimbrake😆

[@florian6736]

I am actually very happy with the shimano R55C3 or R55C4, wich are also cheaper than swissstop for example. I also had swissstop before but I didn't notice a significant difference.

[@michaeldjitowibowo4014]

@@florian6736 Do you have any issues with swissstop before? Ive heard that they causing yellow marks on your rims

[@brunospasta]

@@michaeldjitowibowo4014 They do. But they also have black ones which dont. But as mentioned before, I have not really felt any difference compared to the cheaper shimano pads.

[@flatbushzombiejuice]

1:03 Nice little show off, Manon :P

[@HeinrichSilvia]

Honestly, especially as a beginner cyclist myself I can say: Don't go to fast! If you are not confident enough in yourself, or your bike, just don't overdo it. And even if you are, try to pick up the pace slowly... Most cases it's way easier to counter going to slow, instead of to fast.

[@douglasburnside]

Another thing not to do... Chasing a well-powered tandem down a steep hill at 70 kph, maximum cadence in my 52-12, tandem swerved to miss a 6x6 piece of lumber, I didn't. I thought, "Oh, God, this is going to hurt!". Thump-Bump! and omigod, the bike is still up! No need to brake, the bike is decelerating faster than I ever knew it could and I'm not even touching the levers. Both wheels bent so badly that after the bike stopped I couldn't pull them by hand through the calipers. All I could do was sit for a few minutes waiting for the shakes to stop.

[@kobenoyashi531]

I ride my brakes a lot during descents. Or else I get going too quick and overcook corners. Trying to just brake before corners now, but the hills by me are too twisty.

[@simonm1447]

It won't be a problem as long as you don't break too hard, you can still slow down before the corner and use the brake gently to maintain the speed inside the corner

[@mrtnsnp]

I had Silhouette prescription glasses once, the really 'almost invisible' rimless version. During a 'descent' (The Netherlands, so at 50 km/hour already) the frame started to flex, causing a particularly blurry vision. I did have proper glasses for cycling (Adidas with prescription inserts at the time), I simply forgot to change glases after a stop. I don't think that happened since - forgetting to swap glasses. The frame I have now is a lot sturdier.

[@thebr0wnhornet]

Hanks scanning the road face lol 0:31

[@markproulx1472]

Yes to all of this. In 2022, I went into a corner too hot and paid for it with a broken collarbone and two broken ribs.

[@arkeshsharma]

On multiple occasions during city commute, I have hit the front-brake a bit hard while descending and since these are the disc brakes, it bent the front disc slightly and now it rubs against the brake shoe making weird noises during the ride. As mentioned by the GCN experts here, don't brake too hard while descending.

[@kippen64]

Plead guilty to riding entire descents with the brakes on.

[@kippen64]

@theonlytruefalcon Rim brakes. It's a cheap bike with cheap brakes and I don't trust them to do the job.

[@simonm1447]

@theonlytruefalcon discs also overheat at some point, as long as they don't have cooling fins on the pads and the rotor like XT brakes

[@APSheshy]

This whole video is Hank giving everyone a heart attack. Do as he says, NOT as he does 🙈😂

[@LOCKEYJ]

I once changed both my tires and set out on a descent… but I forgot to connect the brakes. I really flew that day… when I hit a barrier

[@clark5583]

Congrats to Manon on her engagement are in order?