Originally Posted by
PeteHski
I can’t say I have ever experienced this phenomena. Sometimes when descending a roller, the following rise looks a lot steeper on approach than it actually is. That’s the nearest I can think of anyway.
That's not it. What you're describing is a difference in perspective (like a ski run always looks flatter from the lift than it does from the top of the run).
I think that a "false flat" is a true optical illusion, although I've never heard it defined - IME everyone has just seemed to understand the meaning when it's come up in conversation. Now, at least, you'll know what Phil and ??? are talking about when they mention a false flat during their race commentary.