Skills for mastering narrow things on the track

[Irulan]

There is also a the knack of not going straight through the opening, but approaching at a slight angle so that you can turn your handlebars a little bit so that you don't hook them.

The butt off the saddle thing forces you to use your body to counterbalance any angled moves you might might by weaseling your way through, preferable at slow speed, perhaps having to turn the handlebars as above.

[katherine]

There is also a the knack of not going straight through the opening, but approaching at a slight angle so that you can turn your handlebars a little bit so that you don't hook them.

The butt off the saddle thing forces you to use your body to counterbalance any angled moves you might might by weaseling your way through, preferable at slow speed, perhaps having to turn the handlebars as above.

I think I need a video, or Irulan to show me how it's done.

[Irulan]

this isn't it exactly, but the concept is the same.

-You pick a line ( ie, look through the trees at the SPACE down the trail)
- use body english and your slow riding skills to maneuver your bike through the slot. If you are out of the saddle, this forces you to use your body to counter balance the bike if you are making a slight slow turn.


In this image Cindy is out of the saddle, looking down the trail PAST where she is riding, using body english and balance skills to counter balance wherever the bike is going. Slightly different trail issue, same skills.

[crazycanuck]

Irulan, that's the body position I think i try & do but don't do very well

The bit of trail you've shown us looks quite easy going down. Now imagine that same bit of trail without the ramp bit going over the log & that's mainly what we have down here...

I've been working on balancing on (on my knees) the swiss ball holding onto a pole (horizontally) in the hopes i'll get the exact core strength i need.

I'm off to play on a trail today

[Irulan]

Girl I am going to see if I can find some photos or videos of the drills I have been taught ( and teach) to enhance what we call "body bike separation".

[Irulan]

Excellent demo of body bike separation which is what you'd be doing at slow speed to weasel your way through some trees. This is a GREAT video, don't be turned off by the freeride nature of it, the skills are all the same for any kind of mountain biking.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAkBmcz40KM

a variation on the straight line b/b/s demo'd in the video is to ride in a circle-
If you are going around to the left ( counterclockwise) angle your bike and get your hips and shoulders into it . Be in a medium-ish gear, slow circles, inside arm ( left) will be bent, outside arm straight, the bike is going to angle ( tilt outwards) and you are going to counter balance with your hips and shoulders. It really helps if your saddle is down so you aren't tempted to sit on it. I don't feel like i am explaining this well. The key is to feel your hips and shoulders moving into it, the wide/loose stance of the legs ( "cowboy stance" in the video) and moving separately from your bike, both fore/aft and side/side.

[katherine]

I am having a lightbulb moment, thank you!