Downhill riding tips

The following downhill riding tips come from Pete at 'I Ride' in Toowoomba.

• Start with the right attitude, if you are negative from the moment you see a hill you are not going to have a good ride.
• Try and lower your upper body closer to the bike and lean forward towards the handle bars, sitting up high you will only catch wind and be all over the road.
• Most experienced riders use the drop bars on the bike, the curled part underneath. This puts you in a position that is more aerodynamic and gives you the ability to apply even pressure to the brakes.
• Put you bike in heavier gears, change down!
• Line your pedals up side by side so your feet are level and gently squeeze the top bar on your bike with the upper part of your leg, press down on the pedals. Move your bottom further back on the seat.
• Relax your torso and focus on what you are doing and where you are going.
• For peace of mind gently pull both brakes lightly, try not to grab at your brakes quickly, as this tends to change the line you are travelling and can give you more to worry about.
• Ask don't blame - if you are still unsure please ask an experienced rider to help you, a common mistake is to blame the bike and not the rider!
• Learn slow so you know.