![9 Tips for Improving Your Mountain-Biking Skills](https://cdn.magzter.com/1360045451/1682674093/articles/6_2QoKD8B1683187102054/Bicycle-Travel-Mountain-Bike-Rider-Trail-guides-Trail-centres-Bike-reviews-Gear-reviews-Workshop-advice.jpg)
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.
Denne historien er fra May/June 2023-utgaven av Bicycling South Africa.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra May/June 2023-utgaven av Bicycling South Africa.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
![GEAR FOR THE AGES](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2572/1754829/ksrXWXZx81720596957220/GEAR-FOR-THE-AGES.jpg)
GEAR FOR THE AGES
Some bicycle components, tools and accessories - by design, luck or a bit of both - become icons of performance, reliability and permanence in cycling.
![A RACE LIKE NO OTHER](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2572/1754829/hNS2HxDtB1720596207494/A-RACE-LIKE-NO-OTHER.jpg)
A RACE LIKE NO OTHER
IN KENYA'S MAASAI MARA, KNOWN MORE FOR SAFARIS THAN CYCLING, THE MIGRATION GRAVEL RACE CHALLENGES RIDERS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD THE WORLD WHILE FORGING A FUTURE FOR BIKE RACING IN AFRICA.
![WAR ON WHEELS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2572/1754829/EoUN43_HR1720595067436/WAR-ON-WHEELS.jpg)
WAR ON WHEELS
IF YOU GO FOR A RIDE IN CAPE TOWN AT THE WRONG TIME, YOU COULD FIND YOURSELF IN THE MIDDLE OF A CYCLING GANG WAR, WHERE THE WEAPONS OF CHOICE ARE STRAVA RECORDS AND SALTY COMMENTS ON INSTAGRAM. THIS IS THE TALE OF THREE RIVAL ROADIE CREWS AND A REMINDER THAT CYCLING IS A SPORT BEST TAKEN WITH A SENSE OF HUMOUR.
![GET TOUR DE FRANCE FAST IN FOUR WEEKS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2572/1754829/YiHDHavgp1720594499835/GET-TOUR-DE-FRANCE-FAST-IN-FOUR-WEEKS.jpg)
GET TOUR DE FRANCE FAST IN FOUR WEEKS
HAVE YOU GOT TOUR FEVER? If you have a good fitness base, let the pros inspire you to take your riding to the next level.
![THE SECRET TO MAKING A COMEBACK? JUST START](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2572/1754829/LI4QGoI7t1720594205702/THE-SECRET-TO-MAKING-A-COMEBACK-JUST-START.jpg)
THE SECRET TO MAKING A COMEBACK? JUST START
\"THIS IS WHAT DECONDITIONING LOOKS LIKE,\" I said out loud to no one, as I looked at the heart-rate reading on my phone and gasped for breath. \"This shouldn't be so hard.\"
![DEAR MARK CAVENDISH](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2572/1754829/g7MxM8Een1720593991457/DEAR-MARK-CAVENDISH.jpg)
DEAR MARK CAVENDISH
WHEN I FIRST STARTED FOLLOWING professional road cycling around 2014, you were at the top of your game.
![HOW TO CALCULATE YOUR POWER-TOWEIGHT RATIO](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2572/1754829/54U3MAA3j1720593503321/HOW-TO-CALCULATE-YOUR-POWERTOWEIGHT-RATIO.jpg)
HOW TO CALCULATE YOUR POWER-TOWEIGHT RATIO
POWER-TO-WEIGHT RATIO IS one of the most telling metrics in cycling - and thanks to indoor trainers, many more cyclists are now familiar with it. Right now it's never been easier to calculate your power-to-weight ratio and use it to improve your performance.
![EASY RIDER](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2572/1754829/DZt1jMPLl1720593325081/EASY-RIDER.jpg)
EASY RIDER
A FEW YEARS AGO, my wife and I along with her parents, brother and his wife-cycled down the Danube River in Europe.
![LEADING THE WAY - RYAN GIBBONS, 29, SA PRO RIDER, MULTIPLE SA & AFRICAN ROAD CHAMP](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2572/1754829/-_HfyANb61720592455364/LEADING-THE-WAY-RYAN-GIBBONS-29-SA-PRO-RIDER-MULTIPLE-SA-AFRICAN-ROAD-CHAMP.jpg)
LEADING THE WAY - RYAN GIBBONS, 29, SA PRO RIDER, MULTIPLE SA & AFRICAN ROAD CHAMP
AFTER JOINING LIDLTREK from UAE Team Emirates, South African national champ Ryan Gibbons aims to be the best lead-out man he can be - while also helping his new team in their quest to climb the World Tour rankings.
![6 WAYS TO BEAT THE HEAT THIS SUMMER](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2572/1571210/EXmaHQ18n1708514727809/6-WAYS-TO-BEAT-THE-HEAT-THIS-SUMMER.jpg)
6 WAYS TO BEAT THE HEAT THIS SUMMER
TOP TIPS TO KEEP YOU COOLER AND RIDING STRONGER... NO MATTER WHAT THE TEMPERATURE.