How To Descend on a Mountain Bike
- March 13, 2009
- 2,034 Views
Producer, Director
ALOYs TWUNGUBUMWE
Music
Edison Music Corp
Voice Over Artist
Darcie Champagne
Writer
Andre_Scott
There are two ways to descend on a mountain bike, actually. We’ll teach you the way that doesn’t involve rolling, falling and broken bones.
You Will Need
- Mountain bike
- Helmet
- Bike gloves
- Sunglasses
Step 1: Lower seat height
Lower your seat until your knee is just shy of a 90-degree angle when the crank is at the 9 o’clock position with your foot on the pedal.
Step 2: Stand up on the pedals
Stand up on the pedals while going downhill. This lets the rear wheel hop around and roll over rocks and bumps without bucking you into the bushes.
Step 3: Keep your weight back
Keep your weight back, with your legs and arms slightly bent. That way your arms and legs can act like shock absorbers and flex if you hit an obstacle with the front tire.
Step 4: Use your rear brake to slow
Use your rear brake to slow down, and be careful not to lock the tire into a skid.
Step 5: Use both breaks in an emergency
If you have to stop suddenly, throw your weight back – pelvis behind the seat if possible – and squeeze both the front and rear brakes while keeping the bike straight.
If an obstacle is too daunting to ride over, like a boulder or a cliff, don’t be a hero – just stop, carry your bike past it, and keep going.
Step 6: Keep up your momentum
Use your momentum to help you through difficult sections of sand, water, rocks, or mud. If you slow down, you’ll get stuck or crash.
If a hiker or cyclist is coming uphill on the trail, they have the right of way. Stop and let them pass before continuing on.
Step 7: Break before turns
Brake before turns and then roll through them. If you need to slow down, use your rear brake exclusively.
On the Kamikaze Downhill held at Mammoth Mountain in California, mountain bikers can reach speeds in excess of 60 miles per hour.
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Comments (4)
There are some tips to descend on mountain and also some safety tips. For more such types of learning videos visit www.uploaded.tv
over 2 years ago by bibhas123
Great location -- what a pretty sunny shoot! Nice video!
over 2 years ago by HeatherM
thanks Megan! the weather is beautiful down here, and there are lots of great locations for biking
over 2 years ago by Aloys_Twungubumwe
Very useful video. To ascend I suggest this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOyrm4tl2ck
over 2 years ago by nicelook
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