MTB SKILLS

Correct body position increases stability

• Neutral position: Pedals even, stand relaxed

• Ready position: Pedals even, bent knees and elbows, chin to stem

Front brake: Stops you

Rear brake: Controls your speed

Hold your handlebar with as many fingers as possible i.e. thumb and three fingers around the grip with your forefinger resting on the brake lever.

When braking, try to:

1. Brake gradually

2. Find the consistent spot

3. Modulate or feather your brakes

4. Hold a low body position

Cadence means 'how hard you are pedalling'

You should always be able to accelerate. If the gear is too easy you will be pedalling too fast without sufficient pressure on your pedals. If the gear is too hard you will get tired quickly.

Aim to raise one knee 1-1.5x per second (60-90 RPM)

Body position is very important when cornering. Try to keep your weight between the wheels and over the bike. Always look for your exit.

Try out:

1. Cornering with even pedals in the ready position of bent knees and elbows, chin to stem

2. Cornering with your outside foot down

3. Angulation where you keep your inside arm straight while bending your outside arm

• Move your weight forward by sitting on the tip of your saddle. Keep your body low.

• Attack the corners by picking up speed on the approach and carrying as much speed as you can through the corner and onto the next straight.

• Try to anticipate your gearing before the corner.

• Keep a wider outside line and look ahead.

Pumping allows you to generate speed without pedalling.

• Swing your hips towards the ground and then push your feet away.

• Be heavy on the down slope and light on the up slope

• Focus on a heel down squat followed by unweighting yourself without using your arms.

Timing is very important and takes practice.

Set yourself up on the approach to the point of commitment. Be sure to control your speed and be in the ready position of even pedals, bent knees and elbows, chin to stem. Be sure to be stable and incontrol.

As you go over the drop, don't touch the brakes, push yourself off the drop, keep your head stable and catch yourself at the bottom.

Lower your seat and ride with even pedals

Compress and then explode (just like jumping off the ground)

1. Bend your knees and go down into the ready position

2. Then explode up into neutral. Don't lift the bike - keep your arms straight

Lower your seat and ride with even pedals

Compress and then explode. 

1. Bring your weight slightly forward

2. Do not touch your front brake 

3. Scoop your feet backwards to bring your heels up to your bottom

Combine the 'Front wheel lift' and 'Rear wheel lift' above. Lower your seat and ride with even pedals.

Explode your hips down, back and up. Timing is very important and takes practice.