I signed up for a hill climbing workshop next week.
The workshop will be starting at Akuna Bay marina and climbing West Head.
In the email, it said "It is important to note that this is an Intermediate/Advanced session. As a guide, you should be able to ride in your drops for the descends."
Riding in the drops is when your arms are at the lower part of the road bike handbars - see the 4th picture:
(image via sheldonbrown.com)
I freaked out a little bit.
I have ridden in the drops once - descending at the Bobbin Head ride - and proceeded to lose control of my bike and almost run into the corner (I took it too wide).
Granted, on the descent of the longest ride I'd ever tried to achieve, and down the steepest incline I'd ever tried to ride may not have been the best moment to choose to first try riding in the drops.
(I tried it because from the drops - you get more leverage on pulling the brake levers, which is super useful on a long descent.)
So I have 1 week to learn how to ride in the drops.
My husband said it'll take me a matter of minutes - it's not that different to the hoods (where I sit mostly - see 3rd picture).
I'm a bit worried but I'm going to put some hours in Centennial Park tomorrow and practice going up and down the cat ears in the drops.
