Follow-Up: 201 Enhanced Cornering

Never Stop Working on 'A Solid Base' Drills

Everything from the 102 A Solid Base Clinic helps with all your riding. Don't think you need to be on the trail to practise - keep refining those drills and improving all aspects of your riding.

Stay Centred

The "chin over the stem" rule applies while cornering. You need traction to change direction, which requires weight through the tyres. This is particularly true for the front wheel as it leads where you're going.

Where Are You Going?

Good line choice makes it easier to flow through without fighting the bike. Start wide, exit wide, follow an arc with minimal sudden changes. Try different lines on the same corner.

Let the Bike Move

Leaning your bike separate from your body ("angulation") is essential. This is super essential when riding on loose surfaces. Let the side-knobs of the tyres dig in for maximum traction.

A Note on Steering

Steering is always part of turning - don't fight it. When the bike is leaned and you steer the bars in the same direction, the front wheel is now "driving" into the ground (traction!) and around the corner.

Eyes Scan Into the Future

"Looking ahead" is not about simply looking as far as possible. "Scan" down the trail, identify action points, and filter out what isn't on your path. Focus on important points and what you'll do at them.

Brake with Intention

Be tactical: Choose braking zones that are straight, grippy and smooth.
Be decisive: Pick where to slow down and wait until you get there.
Commit: "Too much" braking before a corner is much less impactful than not enough.

Swing Your Hips & Body Position

Use your body's mass to apply rotational force to the bike. Dance "the twist" - move your hips! Pivot around the centre point between your wheels, not around your hips.

Both feet heavy: Level pedals, let the corner set what that means.

Stand up to G-forces: Keep legs and arms strong, maintaining hip hinge to hold yourself over the bike instead of collapsing into it.