9 Tips for Improving Your Mountain-Biking Skills

Ready to ride more technical trails? This is Africa: your choice is endless (and also awesome). So here’s what you need to know

Once your mind adjusts to the chaos of pedalling through rocky, uneven terrain and your lungs prove that, yes, you are capable of climbing uphill on a bike – for hundreds of vertical metres, sometimes – you might start to wonder: where else can I go on my bike? How can I squeeze more two-wheel off-road adventures into my days?

If you don’t live in the mountains, those technical ascents and descents might be calling your name for an introductory trip. Or, you might be interested in exploring a new region. No matter what your ultimate goal, here’s how to take your mountain-biking skills to the next level with longer rides, improved technique, and what to do if you want to race.

1. LEAN INTO CLIMBS

On flat sections of trail, your body will be neutral on the bike, with your weight distributed evenly between the hands, feet and saddle. There’s a slight bend in your elbows to help absorb bumps.

As you climb, your body will lean forward slightly, especially as an ascent gets more difficult, explains endurance mountain-bike coach Scott Tietzel. You can sit a bit further on the nose of the saddle to help keep your weight ahead of the rear wheel. Just remember that if you lean too far forward, the rear tyre will lose traction, adds coach Joe Howdyshell, who founded the Summit Endurance Academy based in Breckenridge, Colorado.

When the slope gets very steep, bend your elbows more and get your chest closer to the handlebars, to help counteract the angle of the ground. Leaning forward also helps keep your front wheel on the ground.