Dannihilator

Chapter 7: How to become a smoother and faster rider.

Some will even make you hurt less right after or the day after.

First off, get your butt off the saddle, it will make a world of difference, it's easier on the knees and reduces tail bone pain. The only time one should be on the saddle is when on smooth xc or just riding on the road.

Second when on rough terrain or even on a relatively smooth surface, let your legs take the impact. Even if you have a full suspension bike, use your legs to take up some of the shock that impacts take, plus by standing and letting your legs take the shock, your equipment will last much longer.

Third loosen the death grip on the handlebars. Let the bike float over rougher terrain. Not so loose that you are just resting your hands on the handlebars. A good grip is like gripping a broom stick, loose but enough to to keep your hands on the stick. A good way to find out whether a grip is too tight is to practice on a tomato. Grip it too hard and it will squash, don't grip it, it will fall out of your hand and bruise on the floor, grip it just right, it wont squash or it won't slip out of your hand.

Fourth, never ever lock your elbows or wrists up that is just asking for an arm injury. Part of letting the bike float under you is to have your elbows loose and relaxed.

Fifth, let the bike go in the direction it is going. You can correct the direction after that technical section.

Sixth, chose what looks to be the smoothest line to take instead of the most direct sometimes the most direct line is undo able or is very slow. Most times the smoothest line will be longer, but will also be quicker.

Seventh, When going downhill get your butt over the rear wheel. This does not mean sit down on the saddle, when descending Always stand up while having your butt over the rear wheel.

Eighth, When climbing stay loose and stand on the pedals and hammer or you can be in the saddle(This is the one exception to the never sit down theory if the climb is smooth.) There is variables in the climbing stance most will try to finds a balance that won't lift the front wheel off the ground or wont cause the rear wheel to lose traction. Sometimes having the rear wheel spin while climbing is unavoidable because of loose terrain. When that happens just keep pedaling, it will be harder but in the proper stance you will get up that hill. If it is to the point where falling is unavoidable, get off the bike and walk up, there is no shame in that, we have all walked a bike up a tough hill from time to time.

Ninth, don't worry about the terrain on the trail you're going to be riding. Worrying about it will make you grip the bars tight tense up in the legs and in the elbow and wrists. It will also cause you to make more mistakes.

Tenth if you crash don't worry about it, crashing is part of the sport. Just go back and try that section again, try to select a different line through that section.

Eleventh: Do not watch your front wheel.

12, HAVE FUN.

13: Learn how to properly setup your suspension, i.e. preload, rebound and compression, for the type of riding you do most of the time.
Proper setup will make you think you are on a new bike and make riding a lot more fun. Although I do like watching someone hit a kicker with to much rebound, makes for good videos.

14:When riding fast through tight technical singletrack with a lot of turns, you need to turn your bike with your body, not by steering with the handlebars. Hard to describe, but you turn with your hips. IOW, if you're turning left, rotate your hips counter closewise. This will automatically shift your body weight and will help you carve much better.

(Contributors: A2psyklnut, Dirtbikedude, Maelstrom.)