Part 7: From Panic to Control – The Psychology of Calm Descents and Managing Crowds
Through the Cycling Academy series with Matej Mohorič, we are strengthening a culture of respect—for the road, the rules, and one another. Respectful. Sporty. Safe.
In the final part of this year’s Cycling Academy with Matej Mohorič series, created as part of the Merkur zavarovalnica L’Etape Slovenia by Tour de France, we focus on a very real feeling that most recreational cyclists know—but rarely admit out loud: uncertainty and fear on descents. At mass events like these, the pace increases, speeds are higher than during training rides, and you are surrounded by many other cyclists. Descents become faster, reactions must be smoother, and there are more decisions to make. The difference between a good and a bad day often lies precisely in how well you can stay calm and maintain control in these moments.
Higher speeds require a different approach – not more power, but more feel
When you find yourself on a fast descent, you quickly realize it is no longer about leg power. It is about feel. On training rides, you may ride similar roads, but the key difference is that you are alone, you control the pace, and you have full control of the situation. At mass events, however, many things change. The speed becomes higher than expected, the road feels “narrower,” groups move dynamically, and braking is no longer entirely in your control—it also depends on others. If you try to ride “like in training” under these conditions, you quickly lose rhythm.
That is why it is essential to understand this: speed is not the goal. The goal is the feeling that you are in control. The moment you lose that feeling, you must adjust your pace—without hesitation, without doubt.
Descents are not for proving yourself – they are for smooth riding
Descents are where technique truly matters—but technique does not mean aggressiveness. It means fluid movement.
Good cyclists don’t make abrupt corrections, don’t brake harshly, and don’t change lines at the last second. Their riding is calm, their lines are clean, and their decisions are timely.
When you start riding this way, descents become easier—not because you are faster, but because you are more predictable—for yourself and especially for others.
Most problems occur when a cyclist is indecisive: braking a little, then releasing, slightly changing direction. This creates uncertainty. A clear decision is much safer—even if it means a slightly lower speed.
In crowds, descents become about reading situations—not just the road
When riding alone, you focus on the road. In a group, you focus on people.
On descents at L’Étape Slovenia, there are often many cyclists riding together. This means you must learn to “read” the situation—to observe and understand your surroundings:
- who ahead of you is braking harder and slowing quickly,
- who is riding steadily,
- who appears uncertain.
Every cyclist sends signals. If you learn to recognize and interpret them, your riding becomes much safer—and you can react calmly and adapt quickly. It is equally important that you become predictable yourself. That means no sudden movements, no unnecessary line changes, and maintaining a steady rhythm. This gives others a sense of safety—and you receive the same in return.
In crowds, there is no room for improvisation—but there is plenty of room for calm, controlled, and aware riding.
Ego is often faster than reality
One of the biggest problems on descents is not fear—but the opposite: the feeling that you must overcome it.
Many cyclists fall into the trap of thinking they must keep up with others, that they cannot ease off, that they ‘must hold the pace.’ This is where ego takes control—and decisions can become dangerous.
The truth is simple: every cyclist has their own limit—their own sense of speed, technical skill, control, focus, and calmness. If you ride beyond your limits, you don’t become better—you become more dangerous and unpredictable.
Calming your ego means being able to say: ‘This is not my pace.’ Let faster, more skilled riders pass. In that decision lies your greatest strength—it is respect for your own limits and for the safety of others.
Calmness is the greatest advantage on descents
When you observe the most confident cyclists, they share one key trait: calmness.
Their bodies are relaxed, movements fluid, and faces free of tension. This is not by chance. When you are tense, you react too quickly. When you are calm, you react at the right time.
Calmness means:
- not gripping the handlebars too tightly,
- breathing steadily,
- looking far ahead—not directly in front of you,
- trusting your movements and staying relaxed rather than stiff.
This is the state where the bike moves naturally—and where true control begins.
Fear is not the enemy—it is information
Fear on descents is normal—and actually very useful. It tells you that you are nearing your limits.
The mistake is to ignore it—or to let it paralyze you. The right approach is to treat it as a signal to adjust to your own abilities—not the pace of others.
This means slightly reducing speed, choosing a safer line, and giving yourself more space. You are not losing—you are building confidence in yourself and your abilities.
Fear does not disappear through force or excessive risk. It fades through control, experience, and successfully navigating unpredictable situations.
A short tip from Matej Mohorič
On descents, it’s not about how much risk you take, but how much control you have. If you are calm, precise, and riding at your own pace, you have done the most. Speed comes naturally when the feeling is right.” — Matej Mohorič
Conclusion
Descents, higher speeds, and crowds are part of the reality of cycling challenges like L’Étape Slovenia.
If you can stay calm, accept your limits, control your ego, and observe the riders around you, you will ride smoothly, handle unpredictable situations, and descend safely—even on technically demanding sections.
In the end, it’s not about how brave you were, but how controlled your ride was—and knowing, as you cross the finish line, that your riding did not compromise the safety of others.
