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- [Host] You could look at a technical line as a series of obstacles to be
avoided. Or equally, you could look at the same section as a series of opportunities.
It's all in your mental approach. A route needn't just be a route.
It could be a launchpad to kick you over a gnarly section, or a pile of rocks that
becomes a transition to pump for more speed. So, look at things differently.
To put the previous tip into action, it can really help sometimes just to slow
down. Stopping, searching for more speed can make you focus on other things like
smoothness and looking for new lines. Great trails can flow, but it takes you,
the rider, to actually make the most of it. The most fundamental skill for riding
single track is to look ahead to see what's coming up, giving you time to
react. Even advanced riders would do to be reminded of this fact.
Keep your head up and look where you want to go. The next step is to be ready on
your bike, and that means your body position. When you're not pedaling,
get low on the bike to out the saddle with your pedals level,
and dropping your center of gravity by moving your hips back and down.
It can really help to lower your seat to give you a little more room to maneuver,
and then drop your heels too. In this position, you're ready to tackle anything.
Just about any mountain bike is capable of hitting single track and helping you to
enjoy yourself. But it makes sense, though, to make sure whatever bike you're
riding is performing to it's full potential, so spend a bit of time tuning
it to get the most out of it. The main thing is brakes. The key to going fast is
to be able to slow down fast, but also look at your suspension to optimize it for
your riding style, and make sure your gears are running smoothly.
The skill that unlocks a world of opportunity out on the trail,
learning to bunny hop gives you the ability to ride single tracks smoother and
faster. More than that, though, in learning to bunny hop, you also nail
manuals, which is super important too, and then get comfortable in the air as
well. And all these things will help to make single track more fun. It's all very
well and good giving tips on how to do things, but sometimes you need to see it
in action on your local trails to really cement the skills. To do just that,
try and ride, at least from time to time, with riders who are faster and more
experienced than you. There is no better way to learn than to try and keep up,
following through local trails, hopefully showing you new lines,
new skills, and also taking you out of your comfort zone. Guys! Guys! Guys! Wait!
Of course, a more experienced rider might be faster because they're more
skillful than you, but it might also be down to their choice of equipment.
And tire selection is absolutely key to unlocking your full potential.
Different locations call for different tires. Tread pattern, compound width,
and then different conditions on those trails can influence your decision still
further. More speed through single track might not be your ultimate aim,
but regardless, there are times when more speed is also helpful to making you
smoother and safer which might not sound logical, but hear me out.
More speed equals more momentum, and momentum can really help on certain
sections of trail, helping you to skim over the surface as opposed to dropping
into every little hole. This means you're less likely to get knocked offline on the
sections that might actually be scaring you the most. Pedal or pump,
riding fast puts demands on your body. A long descent can be taxing
just like a single track climb, and while training for mountain biking might not
actually float your boat, it's undeniable that being fitter and stronger makes you
faster. It could be going to the gym. It could be running or riding your bike more.
It all makes a big difference to your speed and enjoyment. So, there are 10
different things that will help you to ride single track faster,
safer, and enjoy it more.
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