Cornering
Set your speed: Brake before the turn to avoid skidding.
Hips and eyes: Point your hips in the direction you want to go and keep your eyes on your exit point.
Pedal position: Drop the outside pedal, pressing your weight through it.
Bike lean: Lean your bike, not your body, towards the inside. Allow the bike to move under you while staying balanced.
Look through the corner: Twist your hips as you follow your gaze through the turn.
Drill
Practice linking turns on a gentle, smooth descent, focusing on leaning your bike into the turn whilst keeping your body upright.
Descending
Pedals level: Hover your bottom over the saddle with arms and knees slightly bent.
Momentum matters: Stay light on the brakes and let the bike roll. Too much braking leads to skids.
Eyes up: Look ahead rather than down and straight in front on your front wheel. Look for the best line.
Stay relaxed: With a firm grip on the bars, keep arms and legs relaxed to absorb vibrations and allow the bike to move.
Heels down: This helps with stability and balance
Drill
Practice your braking control by feathering your brakes on a moderate descent. Focus on smooth and consistent braking and notice how it affects traction.
Climbing
Seated position: Stay seated for better traction, and slide forward on the saddle on steep climbs to keep the front wheel grounded.
Focus ahead: Keep your gaze on where you want to go, looking for the best line.
Hinge at the hips: Keep your chest forward to maintain traction on the front wheel.
Drill
Find an uphill segment of the trail and repeat the climb several times, focusing on maintaining the correct body position and engaging your core. Slide forward on the seat, lower your chest toward the bars, and don’t pull on your handlebars.
Master these skills and gravel riding will become even more rewarding. Have fun out there!
