Changing Conditions

If one thing in life is true, it is that everything changes. Where we were once a highly social community, in response to COVID we’re now riding in smaller groups, avoiding congregating at intersections, and exercising social distancing on and off the trail. I think we’d all agree that we’ve become better at adapting to ever-changing conditions, and with the change of seasons we need to bring that skill to the trail. You’ve probably noticed trail edges are fading into dust, traction is sketchy, and more riders are getting hurt. With the annual evolution of hero dirt into dry and dusty conditions, our riding style must change, too. One of the keys to adapt to these changing conditions is to understand traction. It’s the key to control on the bike and it, too, changes day-to-day depending on the trail condition. So let’s kick aside the dust and check out the trail. Look hard at the berms, the holes are growing, the tops are crumbling, and all the dust is down in the danger zone - at the base of the berm. Notice the growing braking bumps? Those are the ridges that run perpendicular to the trail right before the corners and on the steeps that are caused by excessive braking. How about those soft shoulders? The edges of the trail are getting extremely soft and dusty, and one errant twist of your handlebars can land you in a heap beside the trail. All of these seasonal factors reduce traction. You still have control of the most important element on the trail though, that is your ride style. Every one of us can improve our approach to the trail, instead of focusing on descending flat out all the time why not work on our technique? Here are a few suggestions:

• Rediscover those challenging climbs. If you shift your focus from descending full bore to conquering the climb, the trail will experience less wear and tear (and so will you!)
• Clean up your lines. The tops of the berms are ragged and the bottoms are dusty. The side of the trails are powder-seeking to suck in your front wheel. Try looking farther down the trail to dial in your route and avoid the dangers on the trail.
• Anticipate your braking points. If you slow earlier going into corners and modulate your braking more effectively on the descents, you’ll smooth out your ride. If you’re locking up your wheels you’re making things worse.
• Adapt your kit. Put away the DH sled and revive the trail or xc bike. By running shorter travel, you’ll improve your skills and slow your roll saving the trail for the dry months to come.

We can’t change the conditions but we can change how we react to them. It’s all about staying safe out there, so let’s work on our technique and let the Strava records sit for now. Changing your riding habits is crucial these days because the last place anyone wants to be is in the hospital. We’ll get through this by accepting responsibility for our impacts and how they affect our community! By Dave Robinson, expert mountain biker and coach with the Ride Guides. MBOSC supporters receive special discounts on Ride Guides clinics and coaching. In response to COVID, the Ride Guides have postponed MBOSC co-op clinics until at least fall, but private coaching on the same skills is available in the much safer one-on-one environment.