THIS EPISODE:
A common misconception around steep descents is whether or not you should push your bars forward down the descent. Check out the video below to fully understand the optimal technique.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Pushing the bike forward has a number of potential downfalls:
1. You have to visually identify the terrain, and push just at the right time. When riding quickly, this often forces you to unnecessarily slow down before the descent.
2. Pushing the bars away from you throws your weight behind the bottom bracket, making it more difficult and unnatural for your body to return to center. When you finish your descent, you will often find that you're too far behind the bike, and not in a good position for cornering or tackling the next piece of terrain.
STEPS TO TAKE:
1. Approach the steep descent standing tall
2. Just before reaching the edge, gently drive your knees forward, which naturally collects your arms in a bent position.
-- The timing of this move will depend on your speed.
-- Ideally, the body will drive forward and then the bike will roll forward underneath them in one fluid motion, with no pauses in any given position.
3. As the bike crests the edge of the descent, it will naturally move forward in front of you without any pushing.
4. This keeps the rider more centered over the bottom bracket as they descend, and also as the ground puts additional force into the bike when they arrive at the bottom.
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