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Too often we leap on our trusty stead to exercise our legs
and duly switch off everything above the waist. This high-level inactivity
is fine for cruising "the smooth" but gets you in all sorts of bother
as the terrain becomes more technical. There are different ways to attack
obstacles on the trail but the principle remains unchanged - to ride smoothly
over these gnarly bits. The answer lies partially in the maths. You are
around six times heavier than your featherweight scandium bike so it is
inherently sensible to throw it around rather than your body (carefully
of course - it's expensive and sleeps inside). Correct bike set-up is
essential to allow you to control the beast. The general aim is when in
the just-riding-along position for your arms to be slightly bent and taking
some of your weight. If this isn't the case then visit your local bike
emporium or check out "Riding Skills" at www.groundeffect.co.nz for some
adjustment tips. Once this is sorted, think about dialling up one of three
"riding modes" when out on the trails.
Mode
1: Passive
Often deployed on a Sunday after a hearty breakfast of french
toast, bacon and maple syrup. This technique is quite natural - make yourself
like a dead weight perched on your seat getting bounced around by the
bike. It is used by too many riders too often, but is appropriate on small
bumps and corrugations. Even in this passive mode it is important to get
off your seat and keep your arms and legs relaxed so they can absorb the
bumps.
Mode
2: Active
... to be used when the terrain is tricky but the wheels can
still freely roll over the obstacle. The trick is to anticipate how your
front wheel is likely to behave and help it through the movement. As you
zoom towards a speed hump:
 1.
Let the wheel rise up by pulling the handlebars towards you.
2. Then as you head down
the other side push the handlebars down to let the bike drop with the
front wheel.
3. As the front wheel
bottoms out, bend your arms to lower your body over the front wheel and
absorb the drop. To avoid taking a soil sample with your front teeth,
keep your head up and stay relaxed.
Timing is everything.
You'll dial up this mode 90% of the time and it will result in you riding
as smooth and fast as peanut butter.
Mode
3: Pro active
... for when you need to initiate an action that would not
otherwise have happened. These gravity defying moves are used when wheels
cannot freely roll over an obstacle - like bunny hopping over a drain
at speed or tackling a super steep drop-off with a stiff power stroke
to launch you off the edge. But that's another story.
Bon
courage mes amis.
Murray Dwyer is a former
New Zealand Trials Champion, mountain bike technophile and irrepressible
rider of the impossible. Amongst a zillion other commitments he also
finds
time to teach mountain bike skills. Four half-day sessions cost $130.
Email Murray murray@completecontrol.co.nz for more information.
Sorry, the action only happens in Christchurch.
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