BRAKING DRILLS THAT WILL MAKE YOU FASTER! |
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Ever heard of the saying "slow is smooth, smooth is fast"? While this mantra can apply to a ton of different scenarios, we know that honing your braking technique on the bike can contribute to a smoother ride, ultimately resulting in improved speed. Allow us to elaborate – it's a fact that you'll need to engage your brakes at some stage while riding a trail in order to control your speed. Simply put, abstaining from using your brakes altogether is not a very realistic choice. So when you do find yourself needing to apply them, why not utilize them to your benefit?
Rear brake only: Get to know and feel comfortable using your rear brake (controlled by your right hand). Your rear brake is essential for controlling and managing your speed on the trail. Remember, staying in control is a top priority! Practice slowing yourself down as you descend using ONLY your rear brake. Front brake only: Before starting this exercise, it's important to understand that your front brake is stronger (when it comes to stopping) compared to your rear brake. This means it's EXTRA important to 1) gently apply pressure and 2) maintain the correct body position when using your front brake. Practice coming to a complete stop using ONLY the front brake. Speak your truth: Begin riding down the trail and whenever you use your brakes (either the front or rear), shout "BRAKE" out loud. It may seem silly, but a bit of embarrassment can actually accelerate your progress (because you won't want to be the one constantly shouting). For this to be effective, it's crucial to be completely honest and avoid cheating! If you have a riding buddy, they can keep track of the number of times you yell "BRAKE" and provide you with a total at the end.... [READ MORE...]
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