1) Relax■Atensebody
magnifies all of the
bumps on the trail
and bounces you
around. Relax your
arms, knees, face —
everything. You may
have to consciously
remind yourself to do it
before tough sections,
sinceyourbodymight
automatically tense up
asyouapproachthem.2)Putyournatural
suspension to work.■Yo u r b e s t
suspension is the
one you were born
with—yourarmsand
legs.Theyshouldbe
bent at all times and
moving up and down
to absorb the bumps
and chatter of roots
and ruts. Avoid muscle
fatigue by loosening
your handlebar death
grip and making
“pushup arms”: elbows
outandbent,similarto
the pushup position.Peak performance
38 MEN’S FITNESS JUNE 2017The technical skill set you need to get the most out of mountain biking.
Mountain
biking
requires
greater
emphasis on
technique than any
otherformofriding.
Nobody knows
this better than
Rebecca Rusch,
the pro mountain
biker who’s won
a shitload of
world titles.
Last month she
told you about
thementaland
physical benefits
of mountain biking,
this month she
focuses on specific
riding skills.
In a nutshell, she
recommends you
target weaknesses
ifyouwantto
access more trails
andhavemorefun
in the saddle.M Relaxing your limbs
before tough sections
will mean you lessen
the impact of bumps.●Game Changers Outdoors
3)Let your bike
andbodymove
separately.■Except for your
hands and feet, your
body should be open
andawayfromthe
biketoallowitto
float, lean, and move
beneath you when the
trail gets rough. This
isessentialinrock
gardens and
tight corners.4)Letyourbody
point the way.■Ruschaimsher
knees where she
wantstogo,andher
hips and body follow,letting her steer
more naturally. Don’t
overthink it, she says.5)Build up
momentum.■Speed and
momentum are your
friends: Momentum
ironsoutthebumps
in the road, and speed
makes the bike more
stable. Try to evaluate
an obstacle before
youreachit,andlook
for good braking on
eitherside.Onceyou
commit, let off the
brakes and float on
through until you’re
clear. Brake again on
the other side.Your best
suspension is
your arms and
legs. They should
be bent at all
times and moving
up and down to
absorb bumps.MF TOP PICKS
Gear up for a rideCamelBak H.A.W.G LR
The ultimate mountain bike bag
hasa 3L lumbar reservoir for
better balance. It will easily
hold all your riding gear, and
has adjustable straps and
an air foil back panel.
$249.95,camelbak.com.auNorco Sight Carbon 9.2
New for 2017, the 29-inch Sight Carbon 9 is excellent
for bossing hills and ditches. Its short, ultra-stiff rear
end, low bottom bracket
and slack head angle
ensure you get the
most out of your ride.
$6599,norco.com