There are three skills that make a tremendous difference to a rider’s ability. Most of the real “secret” to riding well off road comes from some mastery of these three maneuvers. Once the three are learned, it becomes possible to “link” them, and tackle a wide range of obstacles.
I can not, inside a blog, teach you how to accomplish all three of the title maneuvers. I can only give you some good hints about the parts you must learn. The rest is up to you.
Safety Precautions: When attempting these skills, the following are extremely good ideas.
- Practice in a safe and soft environment (like the lawn in your back yard!)
- Always wear a helmet!
- Have a “spotter” work with you.
- Go slow.
- Lower your saddle by about an inch and a half to two inches.
Track Stand: This maneuver takes its name from the originators. It was developed by velodrome racers. (For more on that, you might research “Matched Pursuits” and velo racing.) The idea is to bring the bike to a complete halt, and stay that way, without taking the feet from the pedals.
- Slow the bike gradually, applying the brakes (especially the front) as you do.
- Gradually bring the bike to a complete halt.
- Have your “lead” or “Power” foot forward, toward the wheel, and a bit above the level crank position.
- Apply a slight amount of pressure to the pedal as you lock the brake.
- It is useful to allow the wheel to turn a bit from side to side as you balance.
- If you start to “lose it,” release the brakes and pedal!
- Remember! You don’t have to be able to sit on the bike motionless for prolonged periods of time. If you can manage a 15 second track stand, you have ample skill for most trail riding.
Bunny Hop: About what it sounds like. You are going to jump into the air, with the bike.
Stand on the pedals.
- At first it is best to have the cranks in the level, “fore and aft” position.
- It is good to be going fairly slowly when you first try this.
- The motion is the same as if you were doing a stationary jump, straight up.
- As you start the jump, hold the hand grips tightly, pull up, and roll the grips forward, to lift the bike up with you.
- This is best practiced with flat shoes, not “clipped in” to your clipless pedals.
- Always be ready to bail!
Wheelie: The idea is to lift the front wheel of the bike, while maintaining forward motion. Notice! At first a little lift is good. Go slow! If you are too enthusiastic, you will end up on your butt!
- Slow the bike.
- Downshift
- Move your weight back, and sit lightly on the saddle.
- Increase pedal speed sharply while pulling up and back on the handlebar.
- As the front of the bike comes up, shift your upper body weight forward to balance.
- If things are getting out of hand, hit the rear brake hard.
Good luck with all that. Let me know how you are doing! And please, feel free to share what you find to work for you.
Today’s Term(s):
Death Crack n. A rut or gully that becomes increasingly deeper and more unrideable the farther it goes.
Whoop-de-doos a series of up-and-down bumps, suitable for jumping.
Rigid
Rollers ~ Smooth even rise-and-fall sections of trail. Not hills, but bigger than bumps. A series of rollers can be ridden with the sense of little, or no effort. You are pedaling, but the energy from the last down almost gives you enough to get over the next up.
Frankenbike n. A collection of mis-matched parts flying in a very loose formation.
This series, running every Tuesday, is intended to help those who are new to mountain bike riding. By no means is it an exhaustive treatment, but it is our fond hope that it will help you, the beginner, to begin to enjoy riding your bike off road.
Future Topics:
Hydration
More on carrying “stuff”
Bike Types
Trail Care & Maintenance
“Cleaning” the mud
Your next mountain bike or Mountain Biking 201
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