Triumphrat

PopPop

Planning a trip west in June and I have a question about riding in the mountains.

Just east of Lovell Wyoming there is a 22 mile stretch of Highway 14 coming down out of the Big Horns that has an average grade of -8% and (some of it is as much as -13%) through a bunch of twistys. That's some serious downhill . Obviously I can't be riding the brakes, and I guess I'll just have to find the right gear to hold the bike back some. Speed isn't as much of a concern as being able to brake safely going into the hair pins. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

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Even people who claim everything is predestined, and that we can do nothing to change it, look before they cross the road. -- Stephen Hawking.

linkdog

I thought we were all going down hillHonestly I live in Florida,I have no idea.

Black Dog

8% - that's 1 in 12, quite a serious hill.

Find a gear that will let you descend at a controlled speed without using the brakes. You should not descend on the brakes but leave them in reserve for steeper sections and bends. That way, they will be there when you really need them. If you find you do need to use them a lot, pull off and let them cool down for a while afterwards.

I have experienced brake fade just the once, descending some serious harpins in mid-Wales in a heavy car, and trust me, it isn't amusing at all.

__________________
2002 Sprint ST 955i (now sold)
2004 BMW F650GS
1995 Yamaha XT600E
www.goingfastgettingnowhere.blogspot.com

Desert Rat

That's where the fun is. In the hills and twistys. Yeah, just go down a gear or two. But if you feel the brakes are fading due to over use then just stop in a wide spot and let them cool. It's a good time to take pictures. Watch for game, (in the morning the game usually goes up hill and in the evening, downhill. Don't bet your paycheck on that but it's a rule of thumb) ride safe and have fun.

STW

Good point about pulling over and letting the brakes cool, and it makes me realize I never have to do that. Not because I'm so damn fast (not) but because of engine braking. (But I will remember it if it becomes necessary.)

I ride in the mountains most every day and have a lot of downhill (I live on a 20% canyon road). Yesterday on the way home from work I rode a couple 15 mile 8% downhill sections through canyons with twisties and never touched the brakes. These two sections are fairly fast so I was in 5th and still had plenty of holdback--just letting off the throttle a bit provided plenty of braking as needed for the bends. In other narrower canyons with tighter bends I do use brakes but it's only enough to prepare for the bend. I'm not braking in-between the bends in order to limit speed--engine braking provides plenty based on gear selection.

One thing about riding downhill in big mountains is it can be breathtaking. Not just that the views are great, but in wide open canyons you sometimes have a huge vista below you showing thousands of feet of elevation down below and it can feel like you could fall off. So when you come around a climbing corner to head down a big decline your eyes may suddenly pop as you see what's below you--that feeling people ride roller coasters for. I only mention this because it's not a good time to discover you have vertigo.

This feeling can be intensified by mountain winds that can whip back and forth. Winds are perhaps a more significant issue than the gravity the original post refers to. Depending on topography, canyons can act as big wind pumps. Many in the west have a steady strong wind blowing down canyon in the morning as cold air rushes down. In the afternoon as warm air rises there is a steady breeze up the canyon. This means when you descend in the afternoon you may ride against a headwind that helps braking--on strong days I have to give it a lot of throttle to make progress down canyon.

As you ride the canyons you feel side winds adjust your bike lean for you, and you have to tolerate the wind leaning you over or straightening you up in small degrees, and it can vary throughout a single lean through a bend. Not really a problem, you just know your bike's steering feel and trust it to hold the line.

There is a thread here about wind riding. You probably have masses of that in Minnesota but it may be worth a glance.

Not a bad idea to have a thermometer on the bike in the western mountains. There can be sudden snowstorms or freezing rain/hail that ices up on the roads, even in summer. And cell coverage is not always reliable so you may not have temp information online. Where you do have cell coverage, a smart phone lets you check weather radar. Weatherbug app shows me what's nearby and where it's headed.

These are all pleasurable adventures of mountain riding but chances are you'll climb and descend in sunny mildness without a care.

bnmracn

What Black Dog said, use a gear so you can engine brake, and safe the brakes for when needed. I'd suggest getting all your braking done before you get to the curve, that way you can be stable all the way through.

ottoinfo

Twisty's are always fun, but take your time. Nothing will get your heart racing more than a coyote or any animal on the road when you come out of a turn.

amazeme

Yes, but twisty's are only fun at speed. So another of lifes compromises to deal with. :-)

PopPop

REPORT;

The ride from Burgess Junction to Lovell Wyoming was exhilerating. In one 10 mile section the elevation dropped 3,600 feet through the twisties. I was able to manage the descent using the braking of the engine in low gears and hardly ever touched the brakes. This was a bit of a challenge but quite doable. Very glad I did it!

__________________
Even people who claim everything is predestined, and that we can do nothing to change it, look before they cross the road. -- Stephen Hawking.

rockDAWG

The truck driver rules apply here:

Use the same gear and speed to go down hill as the truck can go up. This will give you the max margin of safety and a good starting point. Adjust according to your comfort zone.