Except on the most sunbaked summer days, there’s a good chance you’ll encounter wet roots riding natural trails. Now firmly settled in to autumn it's time to get your technique dialled.
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Roots are the Russian roulette of trail obstacles — you never know which direction your bike is going to go after hitting those shiny snakes of doom! But there are some fundamental skills that’ll help you best manage the unpredictable nature of wet or polished roots…
1. Focus
Look ahead, not down at the roots. Your natural Jedi-like senses will kick in and the phenomenon known as target vision — looking where you want to go, not at the obstacle you want to avoid — will help pull you through.
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2. Speed
Reducing the time your tyres are in contact with roots reduces the chances of you slipping on them. Speed will help you go over, rather than slide along, them. Only go as fast as your ability allows — session a section, building up speed gradually.
3. Weight
Unweighting your bike helps — the lighter you are, the less effect slippery roots will have. If you can’t unweight your bike then practice bunnyhopping and manualling on the flat before transferring those skills to rooty sections.
4. Attack
The angle of attack is important. If you can, approach roots square on — the more acute your angle of approach, the higher the chances are that the roots will force your tyres to slide off course.
5. On course
6. Body position
Set-up tips
You can read more at BikeRadar.com
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