Don’t buy upgrades, ride up grades  
~ Eddy Merckx  

Many of the great rides we have in our area travel hills and have long descents. There are some important considerations for safely handling descents. Begin at home the day before the ride by inspecting your bicycle.. Make sure your tires and brakes are in good condition and tires are fully inflated. Inspect your wheels for any misalignment or looseness.

During your ride when descending, move back in the saddle to prepare for emergency stops. Many experts recommend getting "in the drops" where you have full braking leverage and a lower center of gravity. Take care when passing fellow cyclists, always passing to the left, and announcing yourself before you pass. But most of all, SLOW DOWN! This is not a race and our roads are not in perfect condition, especially in the winter months when rain, leaves, and other debris are frequently present. You will enjoy the ride more if you are relaxed and not pushing the limits of your bike, road conditions, or your own abilities.

I want to especially note descending Page Mill as requiring extra care. In the Western Wheeler crash data I maintain, this is the one location that has seen multiple crashes. Seven Wheelers have crashed descending Page Mill in the past 4.5 years. Two involved some interaction with cars, but the other five were solo bike incidents, likely related to speed and road conditions (the exact cause of the crashes was not always known). So please, use EXTRA CARE when descending Page Mill.