Mountain Biking - newbie techniques?

Hey all, I have probably the most newbie problem on this whole board:
I've just gone clipless, and am now trying to take my riding to the next level. However, ive never actually tried many of the skills/techniques needed to start to handle some of the situations im starting to face (drops, switchbacks, etc).

What's the best technique for a wheelie? I can bunny hop pretty well- just can't lift and hold my front (tire) up without freaking out and aborting.

Also, how do you handle sliding around curves? For example, im riding on alot of really dusty singletracks or gravel roads. At each of these turns, I really dont want to slow down to take these curves? Can I just slide around them?

Thanks!

practice practice practice. on cornering its a balance thing. I put my body as upright as possible to keep the tires digging in and the weight balanced over the center of gravity near the bottom bracket yet if the tires slide they are more of a controlable slide. also if you are going to lose some speed do it before the turn and just go through the turn(like driving a car). I cant help you with the wheelie thing and Id be lieing if I told you I can do one. Im past the flip over backwards part but have never gotten past the fall sideways after a few feet part. BTW welcome to the forums

Dont slide on trails like that man....you'll tear it up. As for wheelies....are you talking about a wheelie or a manual? Manual is going to be much easier at speed, just keep your butt over the rear wheel, arms straight, and finger on the rear brake :D

whats the difference djrider...i used to skateboard, so i ahve an idea, but clarification would be nice....

thanks.

wheelie = pedaling
manual = just coasting

oh ok so it is like my skate...ya..ive never acctually pulled off a manual, do you have to be going pretty fast?

Decent speed....really easy to pull while going fast 15+mph. Just keep form, and finger on the rear brake. If you start to lean, just tap the rear, and itll pop it back down. You can do it going slow, but it's much harder :D

Dont slide on trails like that man....you'll tear it up. As for wheelies....are you talking about a wheelie or a manual? Manual is going to be much easier at speed, just keep your butt over the rear wheel, arms straight, and finger on the rear brake :D

I guess im talking about a wheelie-never thought much about the difference.

I don't slide on trails...just found myself on gravel roads one too many times and just want to take those curves at speed.

hmm with the advice you guys givin, i went out today after school and pretty much taught myself how to wheelie for a good like 7-10 feet consistantly...as for manuals, im having a little more diffuculty with those...tommorow tho...lol in a related storie, i had to jump my bar today when i was doing wheelies, came down hard from almost vertical, and lost control of my front wheel, started to fall forwards so i bailed...i hate bailing my bike its my baby...

[QUOTE=DjRider04]Dont slide on trails like that man....you'll tear it up.
thats why I added the lose speed before the curve part but if you are on a new trail and find your self going faster than you want that a the way to stay out of the trees