Quote Originally Posted by Kimmyt View Post


I look at my obstacles. I say, 'oh man look at that rock, I should go around that!' but because my eyes are on the rock, I go right into the rock. i couldn't get the habit of keeping my eyes ahead of me on the trail, on my path or line, and not on the things I had to maneuver around at my feet.

Also, I would hit roots or tree branches on the ground, manage to get my front tire over them, but then would get my pedal caught on it, bringing me to a stop.

Larger rocks and boulders embedded in the ground are stable and you should go right over them. Use them! Scan ahead then bring your eyes back to a couple of feet in front of your wheel, this will just be second nature soon. When you go over logs, lift up the front, by pulling back on the bars and lean back for a split second, then push over the obstacle by leaning forward a bit. This will come as second nature, especially leveling out your pedals so they don't strike anything. You'll learn to ratchet your pedals over stuff also...promise! Sit back off that saddle when coming down steeps, and learn to pull up the front end when going over stuff. Funny you call it the dark side. I just got a road bike to add to my stable of mountainbikes, does that mean I am entering the 'light' side?