RIDE WITH CONTROL

Get the basics right and your skillset can grow on solid foundations. Here’s how to set up your body and your bike

- Andy Barlow

Winter is in full swing now and you’re most likely finding that all of your local trails are becoming more difficult as the weather does its worst. The ground is soft, slippery roots and rocks are everywhere, and wear and tear on your body and bike is amplified. These all mean your technique and consequently your confidence suffers. What better opportunity to work on your technique? If you spend a little time now ironing out some bad habits, or working on deliberate techniques to make things easier, then, as the weather gets better in a few months you’ll be able to hit the dry trails with more confidence and control. Whether you are relatively new to the sport, or have been riding for years, this is how to improve in the off-season.

ADOPT THE DELIBERATE SHAPE

It’s called many things: your attack position; your ready position; your reset position. They all refer to the same confident stance that experienced riders make. Why does it work though? And how do you know if you’re making the correct shape while you are riding? One thing to remember here is that the shape is constantly moving in reaction to what’s happening on the trail, so everything that we mention is a starting position. It works because as soon as you need to react to something, the ability to do so is maximised. Once things calm down again though, you can make a quick assessment to gauge how you’ve come out the other side. Here’s a checklist of the key components to help you get it dialled.

THE COACH

ANDY BARLOW