By Mark Langton
RELAX
Easier said than done, especially when faced
with trying to ride over an obstacle that your brain is telling you will end
in certain disaster for you and your bike. However, if you can train your
brain by repeating a mantra such as “relax and stay calm”, you’ll more than
likely make it past the offending obstacle in one piece. Remember, the more
you let your arms move with the front wheel and handlebar, the smoother the
ride will be—tensing up (also known as bracing for impact) will only make the
bump force to your upper body more severe, and will cause your body to buck,
creating a weight distribution imbalance.
Mark Langton is a founding member of CORBA and is the coordinator and lead instructor for CORBA’s Introduction to Mountain Biking Skills Class. Go to www.corbamtb.com and click on Skills Classes for more info. For more info on Mark, go to www.mountainbikeskills.com.