2. Body Position:

Most XC riders are far too passive in their approach to DH technique. They keep their weight back and hope for the best. My DH guru is a huge proponent of keeping your weight neutral, or slightly forward on the bike, and being the one in control. By consciously bending your elbows and sliding forward slightly you adopt a more aggressive and controlled stance on the bike. At the same time you want to elevate your head and shoulders so that you can see what’s going on around you better.

Pedal position is another area that riders struggle with. Having your feet at 9 O’clock and 3 o’clock is the most common and most controllable position to be in. For corners you want the inside leg up, the outside leg weighted and straight. If you normally ride with your right foot forward (i.e. at 3 o’clock) on descents then try riding with your left foot forward sometimes. It’s the same theory as dribbling a basketball with both hands. The more comfortable and balanced you are on both sides the better your technique and speed will be.

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