It’s coming back to me slowly, which is also my current downhill speed on any technical stuff. The little changes needed to the bike and technique to get around in comfort and a bit more speed.
1. Raise the bars
Arms get a lot more pressure on them when you can’t stand and coast and also with the extra use of the brakes coming down. This should get better once the reverse muscles develop again and pedalling technique improves but for now I need the brakes.
Raising the bars will also mean lifting the front wheel is easier.
2. Skipping
No not with a rope but the back wheel to ensure the pedals are in the correct place so they don’t hit stuff. Not a massive problem generally but last night I discovered steps of a certain height are a bit dodgy when the crank sits on them.
3. Pedal tension
Popped my foot out of the SPD last night down Sleddale which is a fast (?) roughish downhill. Not a real problem at the time but it could be depending upon what’s coming up next so they need tightening a bit as it’s not desirable.
4. Spin class
Well I’m not going to one but being able to hit 150 rpm and hold it there is lacking. I need to free up my legs and should be getting up to 180+ rpm on smooth downhills for at least short periods. 160rpm max so far.
5. Bunny Hopping
I never learned to hop a fixed previously preferring the very effective plough through obstacles strategy but I need to this time around. See bar height above. It goes something like lift front end and then stop pedalling which will fire the back in the air too.
At least my thigh muscles aren’t screaming at me for days like the first ride.
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