Mountain Biking - switchbacks

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ivegotabike
09-04-06, 06:47 PM
I went on a ride sunday on a new trail and it was awesome, however, i encoutered alot of trouble going around switchbacks, i had problems doing several of them slow as heck i have no idea how (or if) people do these things fast, any tips you can give me?

another thing is, ive noticed that im much better at climbing than decending, is it just practice and confidance?

any one in southcarolina or georgia owes it to themselves to check out Stevens creek trail, jsut outside Modock SC, its a realy nice turny rolling single track trail with a few stream crossings, and the creek itself is downright gorgeous, i took a nice stroll off the trail down to the creek, big old cypress trees just a realy nice place, check it out.


betes
09-04-06, 08:11 PM
Yeah I've got the same problems. For the switchbacks, I think it's because I don't trust my tires enough to lean way over, so I end up remaining too upright and it forces me to go more slowly. The downhills are just a matter of confidence for me. On rocky downhills, my rear wheel bounces all over the place and it's very disconcerting. Today I did some nice smooth dirt downhills and I had no problems at all.

DylanTremblay
09-04-06, 08:27 PM
I have the opposite problem here...today I leaned too much on a swichback and washed out skid on my fore arms and stomach for a few feet. :D

If there is no berm just try to lean the bike but not yourself...that seems to work for the most part, but then again who am I to be giving advice! :D


cryptid01
09-04-06, 09:07 PM
I presume you're talking about downhill switchbacks. Learn to endo/stoppie and rotate the rear of your bike in the air - easier said than done, I know, but it's the only way to ride some of the tougher ones.

Descending fast requires more bike handling skills than climbing fast. Practice develops confidence, as does riding with faster people.

LowCel
09-05-06, 04:57 AM
There are a lot of different types of switchbacks. Most of the ones we have around here are pretty darn steep with rocks, roots and ruts. Not to mention that they are extremely sharp. There really is no way to ride these "fast". Well, that is unless you consider 2 mph faster than 1.7 mph. To ride them the main thing is commitment. After that it's balance and knowing how to get behind your seat to the point that your butt is rubbing the tire at times.