Descending is the one part of cycling that looks effortless when pros do it…
…but in reality, it’s one of the most dangerous skills in the sport.

You can train your watts, your FTP, your sprints — but one mistake on a descent can end your season, your bike, or your life.

I’ve descended everything from the Pico de Veleta (the highest paved climb in Europe) to Mont Ventoux to steep, narrow descents in Italy and Spain.

I’ve also had my own near-crashes — including one this summer where a car suddenly appeared mid-corner on a narrow road.
You’re never “too good” to be careful.

This guide will teach you how to descend safely, confidently, and with control.
Not to attack like a pro… but to get down in one piece.

🧠 1. Mindset: Descending Is a Skill — Not a Flex

Descending is not something you “read and master.”
It’s something you feel, practice, and build over years.

Every experienced cyclist knows this:
Your first descent of the holiday always feels sketchy.
Your brain needs a few minutes to recalibrate speed, grip, and confidence.

So the expectations:

• Your hands will feel stiff at the start

• Your corners will be shaky

• Your braking will be too early or too late

• Your line choice will be cautious

That’s normal.

Descending isn’t about being brave — it’s about being smooth.

🗺️ 2. Use Your Bike Computer Like a Pro

This is one of the biggest mistakes beginners make:
Descending blind.

I always ride with my Wahoo in map mode when descending.

Why?
Because you can see:

• The radius of upcoming corners

• Whether a hairpin is tight or fast

• If the road bends left or right

• Whether the descent has a dangerous S-shaped sequence

You don’t stare at it — you glance at it.

It’s not about speed data.
It’s about anticipation.

If your computer supports it, use:

• Corner previews

• Climb/descend profiles

• Turn warnings

This alone will prevent half of your potential mistakes.

🧰 3. Pre-Descent Check: Your Brakes Must Be Perfect

Before you even fly down a mountain, you need to know your bike is safe.

Check this BEFORE your cycling holiday:

• Brake pads are not worn

• Hydraulic brakes are bled properly

• Rotors aren’t rubbing or contaminated

• Tires have grip and aren’t dried out

• Front wheel is properly tightened

Descending on bad brakes is like driving a car with no ABS on ice.

This is non-negotiable:
Before a mountain trip, get your brakes serviced.

👀 4. Look Where You Want to Go (Corner Vision)

Your bike follows your eyes.
This is not a metaphor — it is literal physics.

When you approach a corner:

• Don’t stare at the apex

• Don’t stare at the guardrail

• Don’t stare at your front wheel

Look through the corner.
Focus on the exit.

Your body and bike naturally follow the line you look at.

If you stare at the hazard, you hit the hazard.

🚘 5. Cars: How to Stay Safe With Traffic Around You

Descending is stressful with cars behind you.
But remember:
You don’t have to prove anything to anyone.

My rules:

• If a car wants to pass, let them — but only on a straight section

• Don’t pull over or slow down in a corner

• Don’t panic-brake because a car is close

• Don’t race them

A car is a metal box.
You are a ball of bones on carbon.

Let them go when it’s safe — nothing more.

A radar light (like Garmin Varia of Wahoo Trackr) helps detect cars behind you, which reduces stress massively.

🎛️ 6. Descending Tech You Should Actually Use

Modern bikes give you tools that make descending easier.

1. Buttons on the hoods (if you have Di2 / AXS)

You can switch your computer screen from the lever buttons.
This means:

• No taking hands off the bars

• No unstable reaching forward

Small detail, huge safety improvement.

2. Radar rear light

Wahoo Trackr, Garmin Varia or similar.
It shows approaching cars on your computer.
You descend more relaxed because you’re not guessing.

3. Good sunglasses

Always wear them.
Wind + dust + insects + tears = disaster mid-corner.

🧍‍♂️ 7. Body Position: Stability Comes From Your Core

The number one mistake:
Riders grip the handlebars too tight.

When your hands are tense:

• Your bike becomes shaky

• Tiny bumps turn into wobble

• Your steering becomes nervous

• The bike loses natural flow

Your hands should be:

• Firm

• Stable

• But relaxed

Your core provides the stability, not your arms.

Focus on:

• Slightly bent elbows

• Low upper body

• Stable hips

• Relaxed shoulders

This keeps the bike planted.

🦵 8. Cornering Technique: The Safe, Correct Way

Cornering is the heart of descending.

Before the corner

• Brake before the turn, not inside it

• Slow down early

• Pick your line

• Choose the outside of the road

Inside the corner

• No braking

• Weight on your outside foot (downward pedal)

• Inside foot up

• Lean the bike, not your body

• Look at the exit

After the corner

• Start pedaling only when upright

• Reset your position

• Prepare for the next turn

Braking inside the corner is the #1 cause of crashes.

💦 9. Wet Descending: Danger Mode Activated

Wet descending is a completely different sport.

Be extra careful with:

• Painted lines

• Wet leaves

• Manhole covers

• Cobblestones

• Metal bridges

• Shaded corners

• Puddles hiding holes

When it’s wet:

• Brake earlier

• Reduce speed

• Double your space

• Look far further ahead

There is no “confidence” technique for wet descending — caution is the only technique.

🚨 10. Group Descending: Protect Yourself and Others

The most dangerous descending is with a group.

Rules:

• Never brake violently unless life-threatening

• If braking, signal clearly

• Shout “SLOWING!” if needed

• Don’t make sudden turns

• Choose predictable lines

Your responsibility is not just your own safety — but everyone behind you.

🧘‍♂️ 11. Emotional Control: Stay Calm When Something Goes Wrong

Everyone has a wobble moment.
Everyone has a scary corner.
Everyone has a shaky descent day.

When it happens:

• Loosen your grip

• Breathe

• Straighten the bike

• Slow down gradually

• Regain control

The bike wants to stay upright — your panic is usually the problem.

Descending improves with:

• Practice

• Familiarity

• Confidence

• Time

You don’t have to be fast.
You just need to be in control.

🏁 Final Advice: Descending Isn’t Where You Win — It’s Where You Stay Alive

You’re not Pogacar.
You’re not in the Tour.
You gain nothing by taking risks.

Descending is not where you win rides —
…it’s where you lose everything if you’re careless.

Ride within your limit.
Look ahead.
Brake early.
Stay relaxed.
Use your core.
Choose safety over speed.

If you descend smart, you’ll enjoy every climb more — because getting down becomes the easy part.