Max your Mo

Want to go faster on your mountain bike? This won’t require hellish intervals or even purchasing the lastest and lightest equipment.


Now that I have your attention, here’s the scoop: Use your brakes less.


Riding a single-speed teaches you to keep the digits off the levers out of necessity to make it up inclines and over obstacles. This aggressiveness should be carried over to the geared bike. A fear of crashing makes most of us a little careful riding in the woods. Likely, though, you’re clutching the blades too often and zapping momentum needlessly. Keeping your head up and looking farther down the trail can be the first step toward breaking this habit.


If you’re chasing faster riders, chances are they’re braking less. They’re feathering into sweeping turns, carving and carrying speed out of them like a slingshot. They’re supple while attacking obstacles at speed, flattening them like a wave crashing the beach. That’s momentum unleashed and also one facet of riding economically.


Trust your balance.


Relax.


Remember, momentum is precious.


Maximize it.