The anatomy of descending

Today's stage 6 of the Giro d'Italia showcased a  248-kilometer ride from Bressanone, Italy to Mayrhofen, Austria. Michele Scarponi of team Diquigiovanni's led from near start to finish. The 248 km (154 mile) stage featured two steep climbs along the route as well a few subsequent descents.

At one point Scarponi was in a two-man break away with Vasil Kiryienka from Belarus. The two stayed away until Scarponi dropped Kiryienka after the second climb of the day and after Kiryienka flatted and then began to cramp. It looked like Scarponi- some 30 seconds up the road was going to solo the rest of the way.

But on the third descent, Kiryienka amazingly caught back up. This is where the true skill of a bike rider shines through. Sure, a rider can train hard to improve his VO2 Max, do intervals and endurance training to be able to sprint fast or go long distances or both- and see real results. But learning how to corner- properly and fast is one of the toughest skills to master on two wheels.

Although mountain bike riders for the most part, are markedly better at cornering fast than road bike riders. Riding a mountain bike riding typically invloves more input from steering and braking and over time, the rider learns how to control the bike using braking and steering inputs. it is a 'feel' that the rider responds to, from the seat and from the bars. It is akin to riding motocross.

On the Universal Sports broadcast today, announcer/analyst Todd G, a former rider himself, nailed it dead-on. Scarponi's lack of cornering skills allowed Kiryienka to catch back up. In a quick tele shot, you see Scarponi almost crash as his bike wobbles and he nearly washes out. No doubt Scarponi spooked himself and was probably even more tentative after that near-miss. Todd then stated the most important, key element of cornering- Counter Steering.

In short, counter steering moves the wheels out from under he center of mass. It involves turning the front wheel in the opposite direction you want to turn the bike, be it a motorcycle or a bicycle. Counter-steering is achieved by pushing on the inside of the handle bar in the opposite direction you actually want to go.

 SBK rider Miguel Duhamel shows off his counter steering ability (notice how the front wheel is pointed right- but he and his machine are turning left!

The idea of counter steering seems counter intuitive (no pun intended!) but the laws of physics dictate otherwise.

US announcer, Todd G made a few more statements that were so precise and so clear as to what it is and what it takes to descend a mountain fast and efficient. He said, counter steering on a bicycle, because of its light weight is so very subtle. Which is spot on. He also said that most cyclists do not really understand counter steering- also spot on. Proof of this lies in the many crashes and road run-offs that recreational and pro level riders constantly rack up.

Better evidence of the repeated blunder are the visual accounts of riders blowing corner after corner, turn after turn. Most times you see a rider who enters a corner too fast and suddenly has to scrub off a significant amount of speed, which in turn carries him and his machine out wide- riding off or nearly off the road.

The success rate of riders actually clipping the apex(s) of a corner at high speed is probably no more than 20%. The number one reason why riders do not negotiate turns properly? Not fully understanding counter steering. There are also many ancillary reasons, but counter steering effectively, is the key to successfully rounding the corners- as quick as you like sunshine...

To see the very best at utilizing counter steering, just tune in to a motoGP or any SBK race. These blokes know how to get around a corner and do it fast. In fact, do you want to learn how to be a better at descending? Ride a motorcycle. If you don't have one or cannot get one, go mountain bike riding. The best road rider/racers are former mountain bike rider/racers.

Some quick tips:

• Use counter steering (pushing on the bars) more than leaning your body
• Use the opposite inside of your legs pressed to the inside of the top tube to assist in steering (depending on which way you're turning)
• Push down on the outside pedal when turning
• Look through the turn (keep your eyes up and far down the road)
• Keep light to moderate pressure on the bars

(no death grip- this allows the bike to follow its  'natual' centrifugal path - by holding too tight you  prevent the front end from following its inherent course) (this causes the already rigid front end to become more unstable)

• Use the brakes sparingly and try not to brake much when the bike is mid corner or when you are leaned over

Remember, a bit slower in...but almost alwaysfaster out.

*The author is a former sportbike and grand prix roadracer