If your mountain biking skills are already at an intermediate level, you may be looking for ways to improve your technique. By developing your skillset and bike handling abilities, you’ll be able to take on rougher terrain and more challenging trails. Here’s how you can ride with more prowess and confidence.

1. Stay Loose & Fluid

Rough trails are jerky by nature, but experienced mountain bikers know how to handle the terrain efficiently enough to provide a smooth ride. Stay relaxed and maintain a fluid pedal stroke to refine your cadence. As you shift your weight in and out of the saddle, make your transitions as clean as possible.

2. Find Experienced Riding Partners

One of the best ways to learn is by surrounding yourself with the pros. An experienced group of friends can motivate you to improve, provide constructive feedback, and teach by demonstration. By following behind them on advanced trails, you can watch them take challenging turns and jumps, then try them out yourself.

3. Get Off the Ground

Getting your bike off the ground is a prerequisite for many advanced mountain biking techniques. Make sure you’re comfortable being in the air for hops, jumps, drops, and other skills necessary for elevated or bumpy terrain. Start small by pulling your front tire off the ground and focusing on a smooth landing, then work your way up to carrying your body with your bike.

4. Improve Your Descent

Riding down a hill at high speed is one of the most exhilarating parts of mountain biking. As you move on to steeper and more complicated trails, there are many ways you can optimize your descent. Make sure to keep your heels down, hips and grip loose, and weight back. Look ahead to improve your reaction time rather than staring at the ground right in front of you. Allow the bike to move underneath you and have your body flow along with it.

If you’re ready to test your growing skills on advanced mountain biking trails, visit Riverside Mountain Lodge in Downieville, CA. Their world-renowned trails feature stunning views, pristine waterways, and exciting terrain for adventurers who are up for a challenge. Besides mountain biking trails, this lodge offers spacious accommodations, local attractions and entertainment, and endless outdoor activities. Browse their website for available lodging. To book your getaway, call (530) 289-1000.