Essential skills

No berm? No problem.

We’re so used to riding banked turns on our mountain bikes that flat corners can have us skittering and sliding or slowing down to a crawl. Here’s how to rail flat corners with confidence and speed:

1. Spot the dangers

Keep your head up and scan for shapes on the ground and clues about what lie ahead

2. Plan your line

Think about your route as a sine wave, linking big curves effortlessly together


Watch how to master tabletops and doubles here


3. Turn from the hips

Let your hips and knees twist and move independently of your upper body. Keep your chest facing forwards, your shoulders central and level and your outside knee pushed towards the top tube.

4. Feel the turn and be ready to adjust

If you need grip, drop your outside foot and lean the bike over a little. If you don’t relax and stay prepared.