BODY POSITION FUNDAMENTALS
10 min · Free lesson · written lesson, video in production
After this lesson you can hold a stable, centred position that keeps both wheels weighted while the bike moves under you.
The Technique
- Two positions, not one. Neutral for cruising: arms and legs soft, eyes up. Ready for anything rough: hips hinged back, chest low, elbows out, knees bent.
- Level pedals, weight through your feet, not your hands. Your feet are the platform. Your hands steer and brake, nothing more.
- Heels drop when the trail points down or the bike slows. Dropped heels lock you to the bike.
- Chin stays roughly over the stem. Too far back and the front wheel washes. Too far forward and the rear skips around.
- The bike moves, you don't. Let it pitch and buck underneath while your head tracks one smooth line.
- Elbows out, not tucked. Wide, bent elbows give the front wheel room to work and keep the steering light.
Common Mistakes
Straight arms and locked knees, so the trail hits you instead of the bike. Fix: exaggerate the hinge until it feels silly, then back off a touch.
- Hanging off the back with straight arms. Fix: hinge at the hips, elbows stay bent, weight stays through the feet.
- Death grip on the bars. Fix: light hands, heavy feet. You should be able to flutter your fingers on smooth ground.
The Drill
Flat ground, walking pace. Stand, level the pedals, hinge until your chest nears the bars, then push the bike ahead and pull it back under you without moving your head. Ten reps, then repeat on a gentle slope.
Helmet always. Gloves and knee pads for every drill in this series. Learn new positions at low speed on ground you know.
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