Look through the corner
Look through the corner
One of the most important parts of descending is to focus on where you want to go, rather than what’s directly in front of you, Swift says.
Target fixation dictates that if you lock your eyes on a hazard, then you will be naturally drawn towards it, so keep looking ahead to pick a smooth line through a corner.
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“You need to be looking around the corner,” Swift says. “A lot of people just look straight in front of them, but if you have a clear corner line of sight then it’s important to look through it.
“Look at the next point in the corner, rather than directly in front of you, so when you’re coming into the corner you’re already focused on the apex, and when you hit the apex you’re already looking at the exit, and then when you exit you’re looking down the road. That ensures you stay more balanced and smoother through the corner.”
Flying down a fast descent is one of the most exhilarating experiences in cycling, so what is Swift’s final piece of advice?
“Just enjoy it,” he says. “You’ve worked hard getting up there, so enjoy it going down – that’s the fun part.”
Ben Swift is an ambassador for the London Cycle Sportive taking place on May 10. The ride uniquely ends with a lap of Herne Hill Velodrome. Sign up now at www.humanrace.co.uk/cycling