Steep turns

If you want to speed up or ride steep turns with more flow, you need to fight the survival instincts telling you to grab the brakes and lean back – you’ll lose grip and control. The key is to commit to a balanced body position on the bike so you can lean into the turn. It’s worth noting that all turns are different and will require technique tweaks. Outside foot level or down is a common question. For short steep turns with even a small bank to turn against, keep your feet level when you lean the bike. For longer turns where you need to use the edges of your tyres, try dropping your outside foot as you twist your hips to lean the bike to carve the turn.

LINE

If the corner has some support or a banking, then aim to hit that to help you turn. If the corner is flat then take a wide line in order to make the turning radius shallower.

H I T T H E M HARDER

If you want to ride steep turns faster then you’ll need to lean the bike more and make sure you’re in a good body position so you can hold your shape through the turn when forces increase.

BRAKING

Kill your speed before the turn so you can be off the brakes when you lean. If the turn is really steep, brake until you’re halfway in the turn before letting the front brake off first to keep grip, then let the rear off. By doing this you’ll still be able to lean.

B O D Y POSITION

Look around the turn – get low on your bike by lowering your chest towards the bar. By doing this you’ll have room to lean the bike in the turn. If the turn has no support, push your weight through the outside pedal.

WANDERING FRONT WHEEL

The most common mistake riders make when taking on a steep turn is leaning back. Fall into this trap and you’re going to end up with straight arms – meaning you’ll be much less able to turn – and your front wheel will rapidly lose its line. It

might go against every impulse of your body, but you need to get yourself low and commit yourself instead of shying away from the fall line.

1 APPROACH Set your speed so you can be off the brakes in the turn. Let off the brakes late and look to turn on a supportive banking or rut in order to help you lean. Make sure your weight doesn’t get thrown on to your hands if you brake hard.

2 GET COMPACT Immediately before you enter the turn, move your chest downward and bend your knees to get lower, so you’ve got room to lean the bike over. You should aim to support your body mass using your legs.

3 RESET Return to your neutral position and look towards the next turn –you may have to brake again for it. If you’re taking on a series of turns, look to maintain a good average speed as opposed to over-braking between each bend.