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    How to handle sloped man-made rock gardens?

    Any tips on how to get better with sloped man-made rock gardens? The type where the trail workers have hand placed a ton of rocks on the downslope of a trail, almost like a cobble road. I’m also scared to ride them for fear of my front wheel getting sent one way or another and going over the handle bars. I can do it if it’s flat but once I’m riding a feature like this downhill, I end up walking around. How do I learn to ride this? See pics for examples.

    by palikona

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    16 Comments

    1. dkobayashi on

      What size are your wheels are tires? Because I feel like rocks that flat I would just go full tilt look straight ahead

    2. MeSmokemPeacePipe on

      Carry momentum into it and let your suspension eat it

      Edit: drop heels as well

    4. OneHelicopter7246 on

      Let your front wheel roll right over them. Maintain speed and do not grab a handful of front brakes. Let that front wheel eat and it’ll take you right through it.

    5. Chance_Society_6927 on

      I’d say the key is to make sure you don’t put your weight too far back. That’s always the tendency when things get sketchy and then your front wheel is going all over the place and your rear wheel is hanging up on everything. Keep your weight forward (chin over the stem), stay loose, and pump

    6. slash_n_hairy on

      Enter at the speed you need to roll over the entire length and NO BRAKING!!

    8. jnan77 on

      Be light on the bike. Just like roots or any other chunder, stay loose, keep arms and legs bent letting the bike rise and fall underneath you as you roll through it.

    10. boiled_frog23 on

      Do you have your foundation installed?( Into muscle memory)

      I sounds like you don’t.

      I recommend looking for YouTube videos regarding this idea. You drive your body mass through the bottom bracket. Everything else is built on this vital principle.

    13. fucktard_engineer on

      I’ve seen professional downhill racers ride over square edge rocks at high speeds.

      Momentum is your friend, as well as loading and unloading the bike. Some places you can push down and other lift up to take weight off the tire.

    16. mtbohana on

      There are two types of riding styles for Rock Gardens. A tight butthole and a relaxed butthole. The key is finding which one works for you.

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