Whether you’re just getting started or have been riding for years, it’s important to master some core skills. These will help you navigate terrain more efficiently and increase your speed and control on the trails.
While these skills may seem a little scary at first, practicing them with people who are better than you will push you to reach new levels. This will make you a much better rider!
Control
Whether you’re hopping over obstacles, braking hard to enter a turn or pumping your bike through terrain to maximize speed and control, you need to be confident in keeping things smooth. Controlling your momentum on the climb, or braking smoothly through a turn, is one of the most critical MTB skills every rider should master. It allows you to brake safely without losing your grip on the trail and causing a crash. These skills can be learned through MTB skill training from a poll of experts.
It’s also a great skill when riding in a pack, allowing you to modulate your speed as necessary and not letting the front of the pack push you into a corner. It’s a skill often overlooked but can be the difference between keeping up with the group and getting passed by a few riders on the descent.
Speed
According to experts and Train to Ride, whether you’re just starting or a seasoned veteran, speed is a critical skill every rider should master. It helps you carve corners, hit jumps, and keep up with the pack on steep climbs.
It’s also a key skill for avoiding accidents. As the speed of your bike increases, you’ll need to use your brakes more effectively. Another key skill is adjusting your position to the terrain. A forward lean can help you absorb bumps and prevent your bike from losing traction.
Body Position
One of the most important skills you can develop as an MTB enthusiast is the ability to position yourself on your bike to prevent your wheels from snagging on obstacles. The most successful riders use a variety of tricks to ensure that their bikes and bodies stay in the clear. These include keeping a close eye on the trail, using a helmet with a visor and steering your bike in the right direction.
Read More:
How to Recover Faster From a Sports Injury
Braking
Braking is one of the most important MTB skills. It lets you control your speed on descents and stop your bike quickly in unexpected situations. To brake effectively, your body must be positioned correctly so that the front wheel has equal pressure applied to it as the rear wheel. Ideally, this should be achieved by positioning your hips further back over the saddle.
You should avoid braking too hard, as this can lead to your front wheel sinking under you and losing grip.
