So I had my first OTB yesterday (first day with my fullface too so good timing I guess) and it was on a tighter steep-ish right handed corner. Later that run I pushed my bike away and grabbed a tree to stop a similar fall on a similar corner.
These types of corners, tight and steep, are my primary limitation and I am trying to figure out: is this mostly a confidence or skill issue?
I can ski most any run in most conditions but I remember there being a similar point where on a steep, variable black run you just have to commit and trust your legs and edges to come around underneath you even as you gain speed in the turn. Are these turns in MTB the same (but with more physical obstacles like trees) where you have to attack the turn with confidence because being hesitant is almost more dangerous?
Similarly to skiing I start struggling in tighter terrain cos I am a bigger (but deceptively athletic) person, pick up speed really easily, and am usually on the biggest gear which leans towards stability and speed vs. maneuverability. Unfortunately my home trails in Christchurch, NZ all lean toward tight and steep singletrail. I was on this trail, which I think is pretty achievable for me but still a challenge considering I only picked up MTB the end of last year – https://christchurchadventurepark.com/trail-information/trail-previews/bako-run/.
TLDR: What things I can practice on my longer wheelbase bike (XL Marin Alpine Trail XR – almost 1300mm wheelbase) that will translate into confidence in tighter radius turns?
by AnarchyAunt
3 Comments
Without seeing a video or knowing more about what happened, I guess I’d say the answer is both. Full commitment with shit technique probably isn’t going to end well, but maintaining proper technique is pretty tough without commitment. They go hand in hand.
I was talking to a dude yesterday on the chair lift at CAP that crashed exactly like this on Bako run. They didn’t have a beard though so probably not you.
For cornering, slow down to speed up. Confidence is always key. Do all your braking before the actual corner, in ideal situations you should have no brakes in the corner but if you need to, try and make it the back brake only so you don’t get stood up so much.
Keep that weight on the front wheel. Lots of times, as things get steep and scary, people move further and further off the back of the bike and then combined with the brakes, have zero control and the front wheel skids and then twists and over you go.
Have you had any coaching or joined some of the Thur night skills sessions. These can help to watch others and see where you can improve.
Probably the most important thing you can easily practice is flat turns. Practice turning on a flat open grass area and leaning the bike on the edges of the tyres to turn without dabbing the brakes. It’s usually a similar body position on steeper, rougher tighter turns on the trail too.
Hiw did you crash? Were you braking? Was the front wheel or rear wheel sliding? Did you not generate enough cornering (understeer) and went over the edge? Did your front wheel lock up and skid out?
I’m no expert but can ride the double blacks with confidence there. Happy to follow you down one day and give some tips if we cross paths.