If your riding level isn’t where you want it to be then one of the best things you can do is to take a step back and concentrate on technique rather than simply outright speed. Spend a bit of time brushing up some of those bad habits and concentrate a bit on your form and the speed will come naturally.
We’re all guilty of sometimes switching to autopilot when out on the trail but one of the keys to improvement is to actually think! Become conscious of how you ride rather than just riding. Learn what you are supposed to be doing then focus on doing it. Every great sportsperson uses visualization techniques to improve their performance, because most of how we perform physically is a product of how we think mentally. A study looking at brain patterns in athletes found that the patterns activated when a weightlifter lifted hundreds of pounds were similarly activated when they only imagined lifting. In some cases, research has revealed that mental practices are almost effective as true physical practice, and that doing both is more effective than either alone.
There are a great many small details that add up to make a great rider appear quick over the roughest looking terrain. In such a limited space it would be difficult to communicate these in their entirety but there are some fundamental tips that will provide a strong foundation from which to build from. Watch any experienced rider on such terrain and you’ll see they spend very little time indeed in the saddle. By standing up a rider can isolate themselves from trail feedback and prevent being bucked by the saddle, shifting weight to a lower point on the bike (the foot pegs) and riding from a more planted, stable position.
When thinking about a building a strong, planted riding position there’s a few key points we need to think about.
- Center yourself on your bike, making sure to position the pegs just behind the balls of your feet.
- Grip the bike with your legs and keep your knees slightly bent. You can use your legs as suspension to work with the bike. Remember there should never be any gap between the bike and your legs.
- Keep your elbows up and bent for strength and stability.
- Relax and arch your back slightly. This will spread the load over a larger muscle group in your back.
- Make sure to tilt your head up, looking ahead and down the track, don’t stare at your front fender!
- Try to keep 1 – 2 fingers out over your front brake and clutch lever at all times.
While this is intended to give you a starting place from which to build your foundation, it is by no means an exhaustive list. Remember as the riding surfaces change, so to will your position on the bike. In sand for example you might find yourself positioning a bit further rearward to prevent your front wheel burying itself or bogging down.
Practice these skills and be mindful of your technique and watch your speed, control and enjoyment increase!
AUTHOR
James Mulcahy
Marketing & Sponsorship - Torpedo7
