Is there such a thing as this? Just like a stopwatch for self timing on decsents – quick jab to start and stop with a gloved hand?

there was in the 00’s the DMC moto timer.

They probably went way of the dodo when garmin and strava came along.

so with strava if you set a segment, the idea is to speed into the segment, so you can fanny about before and after but it will get your time between entry and exit? Accurate for a 1-2 min descent?
Might already be set up on strava – Scolty, the descents from the tower?

Yeah a moto timer will do this. Or if you want a more expensive solution, a garmin with remote lap start/stop button will do much the same. But as above, I’m not sure why this would be better than Strava. Havin used a moto timer, it’s pretty difficult to get it to start/stop accurately while also pinning it.

Old watch with big front ‘go’ button, like the Timex Iron man watches have?

I found this whilst looking for the moto thing. Looks like just the job.
http://www.sportcount-europe.co.uk/sportcount.php
I will give strava a go. But I think I prefer a timer so we can argue about it on the spot.

There also some 2.99 kitchen timers on ebay.

A few people briefly used Moto timers and swim timers before gps phone/garmin based sports timing sites (Strava, endomondo, etc) became the norm, GPS inaccuracies vs thumb jabbing inaccuracies probably about the same TBH…

Are freelaps still available?

dbcooper , yes strava has many trails on down from scolty tower- worst trails in those woods though , far better on the other wooded hill you can see from the tower if you stand with your back to the carpark.