Downhill Scares

The road behind me holds great memories
The road ahead, anticipation of the adventure
And where I stand right now is exactly where I want to be

James Kelly

I have never been one to hold back on a downhill. Man, I rode up here so I'm riding down. Funny how you always feel like you're the fastest at these times and you are always surprised when someone comes ripping past you on the down.

This year I put a small, but high quality helmet camera on and went for a ride. At the end of this ride there is a 14% grade hill. Now for those of you that have never seen this kind of hill, it's the one that can get you up to 80km an hour in a wink. Let me tell you when I look at the video of the downside of that hill, I don't know if it's the sound of the wind, which sounds like a jet aircraft, or just how fast the trees are flying by that almost scared me. I say almost, because anyone going over 80km an hour on a peddle bike better be a little scared or they are going to be a lot road rashed.

Last year on the downhill side of Yellow Lakes at Ironman Canada, the guy in front of me got speed wobble. Trust me, I was praying for the guy, 'cause if he went, I was going too. He hung on but I can still see that front wheel of his wobbling like mad, and hear him cursing like a banshee.

Well, there is always a little risk in anything you're riding. Your bike, the next big wave, even that heated seat in your new pick-up. You gotta be careful because the second you take your eyes of the prize someone will throw a hockey stick between the spokes.