5. Picking Lines:

This is really an extension of vision. Being able to "see" the best way through a challenging section is hard to define. If you have the opportunity to pre-ride the course that will help your line selection tremendously. During your pre-ride stop and examine difficult sections, ride them with different lines and see what works best.

Many times carrying speed through a corner requires you to change a traditional outside-inside-outside line to something more agressive. Try lines that are completely different from the established ones. Perhaps there is an advantage to be found that your cross country brethren have missed with their limited vision!

Work with these techniques to improve your downhilling. If you have the opportunity to ride with some local DH’ers, give it a shot. They are actually nice, fun loving folks who are happy to teach you, and learn from you too. Who knows you may find that you want to give downhill racing a try sometime. It’s a great way to develop into a complete rider and have a gas at the same time!