Follow-Up: 101 Core Skills & Knowledge

Level Pedals

Aim to have the pedals parallel to the ground whenever you're not pedalling. This keeps your weight even through both legs and stops you "locking out" a straight leg, both which make it much more comfortable and keep you more in control over bumps and loose terrain.

Stand Up

While standing you are able to isolate your head and torso from what the bike is doing rolling down the trail. While sitting you are at the mercy of the trail. Stand whenever you can, at least on descents. Use your dropper post to give yourself more space.

Stay Centred

The "chin over the stem" rule is about maintaining stability. By keeping your centre of mass positioned over the point directly in the centre of both wheels, you create even weight/pressure through both wheels for maximum traction and control.

Fuel

Eat and drink regularly; finding what works for you. Get into the habit of sipping water when you stop and practice drinking while riding. More energy means more control.

Front Brake to Slow Down, Rear to Control Speed

Always "cover" your brakes by keeping a finger on the lever. Trust the front brake to stop quickly, and use the rear brake to prevent increasing speed. Modulate brake force to prevent skidding.

Make Your Bike Setup Work for You

The contact points between you and your bike (cockpit, pedals, saddle) need to work for your body. The contact points between bike and ground (tyres) need to work for how/what you ride. Try different things!

Press To Unweight Each Wheel

Help the wheels to smoothly roll by unweighting them, which happens after a "press" down not because of pulling up.

• Front wheel: Start in NEUTRAL position - COMPRESS the middle of the bike down (move down, add muscle tension as you move up) - EXPLODE up
• Rear wheel: Start in NEUTRAL position - COMPRESS down - SCOOP the pedals as you explode up

You will get the best results with 1 fluid movement, increasing force down through the bike due to the change in direction.