Mastering Mountain Bike Skills

Description

If you want to ride like a pro, you should learn from a pro! In Mastering Mountain Bike Skills, Third Edition, world-champion racer Brian Lopes and renowned riding coach Lee McCormack share their elite perspectives and their own successful techniques to help riders of all levels build confidence and experience the full exhilaration of the sport.

Mastering Mountain Bike Skills offers everything you need to maximize your fun and excitement on the trail. Learn how to select the proper bike and customize it for your unique riding style. Develop a solid skills base so you can execute techniques with more power and precision. Master the essential techniques to help you carve every corner, nail every jump, and conquer every obstacle in your path. Last, but not least, prepare yourself to handle every type of weather and trail condition that the mountain biking world throws at you.

Whether you’re a first-time mountain biker, a seasoned enthusiast, or an aspiring professional, this book is the guide for improving your ride. Don’t just survive the trail—own it, and enjoy the thrill. 

Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1: Choose Your Weapon
Buy the Right Bike
Hardtail or Full Suspension?
Which Wheel Size Is Best for You?
Choose the Right Bike for Your Riding Style
Understand the Bike’s Geometry
Customize Your Bike for Your Riding Style
Bike Setup
Suspension

Chapter 2: Become One With Your Bike
Get Ready to Suck Less
Master Your Body
Learn How to Touch Your Bike
Get Into Attack Position
Now Get Out of Attack Position
Find Balance
Stay on Your Feet
Loading and Unloading
Mounting and Dismounting

Chapter 3: Control Your Speed
Slow the Heck Down
Don’t Let Your Lizard Brain Run Your Brakes
Know Your Stopping Distance
Brake With Intention
Battle Braking Bumps

Chapter 4: Make Great Power
Pay Attention to Posture
Basic Seated Pedaling
Master These Pedaling Drills
Standing Pedaling
Sprinting
Sprinting: Upright or Bent Over?
Make Mad Power With These Tips
In the Saddle
Out of the Saddle
Sprinting
Spin to Win
Training Tips From a Pro

Chapter 5: Carve Every Corner
Understand the Basics of Every Turn
How Bikes Turn
Master the Art of Changing Direction
Ride Smart Lines
Lean to the Right Degree
One Foot Down or Feet Level?
Inside Foot In or Out?
Rail Berms
Carve Flat Turns
Survive Off-Camber Turns
Conquer Switchbacks
Skid Into Loose Corners
Pump Berms for Free Speed
Deal With Drift

Chapter 6: Ride Down Almost Everything
It’s Simpler Than You Think
Coasting Down a Hill
Rolling Down a Ledge
Flying off a Drop
Wheelie Drop

Chapter 7: Ride Up Almost Anything
Common Climbing Errors
Keys to Easy Climbing
Pedaling Up a Hill
Transitioning From Flat to Steep
Pedaling Up a Steep Face
Floating Up a Vertical Ledge

Chapter 8: Pump Bumps for Free Speed
What Is Pumping?
Pumping Step 1: Arms
Pumping Step 2: Legs
Pumping Step 3: Arms and Legs
Add Pump to Your Riding
Pumping a Berm
Pump Tracks: The Hottest Thing Since Singletracks

Chapter 9: Wheelie, Manual and Hop Like a Boss
Lift That Front Wheel
Lift Your Rear Wheel
Get Over Small Obstacles
Hop Over Large Obstacles
Lunge Onto a Ledge
Pull–Push
Kung Fu Power Wheelie
Real Bunny Hop
Pump-Manual
Pump-Manual Hop
Pedal Hop

Chapter 10: Might as Well Jump
Learn to Jump
Dial Your Jumping Style
Handle All Sorts of Jumps

Chapter 11: Avoid Injuries
Chronic Injuries
Acute Injuries
Stay Out of Trouble
Common Mistakes and Their Fixes
So You’re in Trouble . . .
Top Exercises to Prevent Injury and Improve MTB Performance
Rip It for a Lifetime

Chapter 12: Handle Every Condition
Unnecessary Roughness
Slippery When Wet
Soft, Deep, and Loose
Avoiding the Rut
Riding the Skinnies
Fatbiking in Winter

Chapter 13: Flow on Any Trail
See Better to Go Faster
Pick Great Lines
Dial In Your Speed
Ride With a Reserve
Commit
Match Your Line and Speed to Your Skills
Know Why You Ride

Chapter 14: Race Like a Champ
Strengthen Your Mind
Enduro
Pump Track Racing
Dual Slalom
Bikercross
Downhill
Cross-Country
24-Hour Races

Glossary
Photo Credits
Index
About the Authors