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Mountain Biking Tips
Mountain biking in the Crowsnest Pass comes down
to going uphill, going downhill, crossing rocks, and crossing streams. If
one had to sum up how to make it through these obstacles the guidance might
come from Yoda. The first piece of advice would be 'there is no try' -
commit without hesitation on uphills, rock gardens, and stream crossing. The
second piece would be 'let the force be with you' on the downhills,
the force being gravity.
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Just do it or don't
Gravity is you enemy going uphill and you must commit to a continued effort
for the whole hill; otherwise gravity will stop you cold.
Look ahead Know where you
want to go. Avoid large rocks or obstacles that will stop your front wheel,
pick a line between the obstacles. Plan your shifting, shift before your
reach the obstacle or the trail angles upwards at a greater angle.
Keep your legs going in circles
To make it to the top your legs will need your legs to continue going in
circles in a solid pedaling motion. Remember your friend momentum ditched
you as soon as the trail angled upwards and once your legs stop you stop.
Balance, balance, balance
The key aspect of hill climbing is balance. You need to keep enough weight
over the back wheel to keep it from spinning out but still keep the front
wheel on the ground. The general rule is to shift your butt back on the
saddle or even over the rear wheel if needed and not stand in the pedals.
Use your upper body as a lever. Bend at the waist moving up and down over
the bike to keep your sweet spot balanced over the bike. The steeper the
hill the closer your head will be to your handlebars and the further back
will your butt be. If you do stand remember keep your butt over the rear
tire and you upper body low over your top bar. That bystander on the side of
the trail will see your stand as more of a squat.
Use your arms Use your upper
body to add power to your climbs by pulling up on the handlebars but
remember to always pull with the arm that is opposite to the leg that is in
the downstroke on the pedal.
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May the Force be with You
One of the keys to going downhill is gravity is your friend. When you feel
like your in trouble let gravity and momentum do the work for you.
Look Ahead and Pick a Line
It might be a simple piece of advice but for many people just starting out
to bike in the mountains it is tougher said than done, concentrate on what
is coming up along the trail rather than where you are; let gravity and
momentum take care of the where you are.
Balance, Balance, Balance
Just like going uphill balance is key. You want to keep the back of the bike
behind you so keep weight back over the rear tire by getting off the saddle
but remember to also keep some weight on the front tire. Unlike when going
uphill you need your front tire to be in contact with the ground for
effective braking well at the same time a little bit lighter weight on the
front tire can lend to your bike floating over obstacles easier.
Control your Braking As you
pick up speed braking may become some thing you want to do. The key thing to
remember is that you back brake lends to controlled braking and your front
brake stops you. 70% of your stopping power is in the front brake. Apply
your back brake to control your path and to prevent endos but use your front
brake to stop yourself.
The Caveat Build your
confidence and skill by gradually building your downhill speed over time and
difficulty of terrain, after all learning to go downhill can be a school of
hard knocks.
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Rock gardens are those parts of the trail that
consist of large rocks and that scarce many a rider. In the Crowsnest many
of our rock gardens although not particularly long have an added obstacle of
a stream crossing part way through.
Just Do It or Don't Do It To
make it through most rock gardens requires unabashed commitment to the task
at hand.
Look Ahead Know where you
want to go before going there. Pick your line and stick as close to as you
can. You can let your bike wander to maintain momentum but if you find
yourself planning your next move in the middle of the rocks your timing will
be off and chances are you won't make it through without putting a foot
down.
Meet your Friend: Momentum
Carry a bit more speed than usual to keep your wheels rolling where they
might stop otherwise like in spaces between the rocks. Shifting to a slightly
higher gear will prevent tire spin out, steady the bike and give you a
bit more power when you need it in the more rugged sections. For improved
balance and rear tire traction shift your weight back and stay off the
brakes.
Follow the Leader Let your
bike be the leader, get out of the saddle, keep your body relaxed and crouch
over the bike. Avoid sudden movements at the handlebar and let your bike
shift beneath you. Shift your weight back to lighten the front wheel and
clear approaching rocks then shift forward when coming off a rock to lift
the back end and to the sides to keep your balance.
Lean Lift or Loft For small
rock keep you weight back to roll through, for medium rocks give the
handlebar a up and down tug to lift the front wheel off the ground and let
momentum carry you over, for large rocks shift your weight back and loft the
front end to get the front wheel onto the rock and then shift your weight
forward so the rear follows through without any hang-ups.
Be Ready to put your Foot Down
Don't sweat it if you have to put your foot down after all this give you the
chance to plan your line for next time.
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Just Do It or Don't Do It
To make it through streams requires commitment to the task at hand along
with a very concentrated pedaling effort. Remember that mountain streams can
be very cold and you'll have to be prepared to solider on with numb feet as
they come into contact with the water.
Look Ahead Know where you
want to go before going there. This is more difficult as it harder to pick
out objects and object locations through the water. Pick your line and stick
as close to as you can. If possible pick a path through the slower moving
water. You can let your bike wander a bit to maintain momentum but in most
streams you find you'll have to keep to a fairly tight line. If you find
yourself planning your next move in the middle of the stream your timing
will be off and chances are you won't make it through without putting a foot
down.
Meet your Friend: Momentum
Carry a bit more speed than usual to keep your wheels rolling and don't stop
pedaling as the water adds lots more friction. Shift to a slightly higher
gear to prevent tire spin outs and steady the bike. It will also give you a
bit more power when you need it. Watch out for soft stream bottoms where
lots of power will be detrimental to your efforts. For improved balance and
rear tire traction shift your weight back and don't touch your brakes.
Follow the Leader Let your
bike be the leader, get out of the saddle, keep your body relaxed and crouch
over the bike. Avoid sudden movements at the handlebar and let your bike
shift beneath you. Shift your weight back to lighten the front wheel and
clear approaching obstacles then shift forward when coming off an obstacle
to lift the back end and to the sides to keep your balance.
Be Ready to put your Foot Down
Don't sweat it if you have to put your foot down after all this give you the
chance to plan your line for next time.
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