TECHNIQUE
Descending on wintery trails needn’t be a hair-raising experience; learning to keep a neutral body position and link up grip points is the key to downhill mastery
Riding on steep and technical trails can be pretty treacherous at this time of year. The trails are dark, the surfaces are wet and slippery, and the grip can seem like it’s nonexistent. How do some riders keep making it look so easy despite the conditions? And where are they finding all of their control?
This month we’re going to take a closer look at how to stay composed and confident on the steepest of trails. We’ll cover some useful skills that will change the way that you think about technical or poor-weather riding, and we’ll give you a solid gameplan to stick to this winter.
RANGE OF MOTION
It’s so counter-intuitive, but every time you feel yourself start to get intimidated by the lack of grip, we want you to focus on lowering your body towards the bike. This additional bend in your arms and legs will give you so much more room to move, and will make all the difference between you sliding out of control, and allowing the bike to move around underneath you without it taking you off balance.
THE COACH
Before joining Dirt School Andy liked to win things – races like the Scottish XC Champs and the Scottish Downhill Champs. Since 2009, though, he’s coached some of the world’s best riders with Dirt School and helped bring on the BASE MTB course at Borders College in the Tweed Valley. But what Andy really likes to do is communicate those pro techniques to everyday riders.
STABLE BODY POSITION
Modern bikes provide incredible stability on the trail. In order to get the most out of them you need to make a particular body shape. Think of your head, shoulders and whole upper body being attached to the handlebars and front end of your bike. Your head over the stem, back parallel with your top tube, and elbows wide. When you turn the bars your whole body should follow. While it’s OK to move with the contours of the trail, this strong stance should be locked into the stability of the front of your bike. The more you retain this shape, the easier a trail will feel.
KNEE BALANCE
If your upper body is attached to the front of your bike, and you’re focusing on keeping that stance firm and connected, then you’re going to have to think about an alternative way to handle all the minor imbalances that the trail throws at you. This is where your knees come into play. The best way to do this is to bend your
