Safely over wet paths and damp roots on your bike

ROOT CARPET

A determined approach is needed for wet root fields. The basic rule: central position on the bike, arms and legs loose and slightly bent. A straight line is key, steer as little as possible. Ideally, prominent roots should be ridden over at a 90° angle. Make sure you have enough momentum to roll easily over the obstacle. Start with short passages that you can overcome without braking.
Exercise tip: Deliberately look for an isolated root, drive over it slowly at an acute angle and provoke a slide - this gives you a feeling.

Learning effect: Wet roots are the nightmare of many bikers. Be aware: if you face up to the slippery monster, you will increase your bike feeling immensely and gain confidence. The next dry root trail will hardly scare you anymore.

NOSE CURVE

The right speed becomes more important in slippery changes of direction. Regulate your speed before (!) the bend and then manoeuvre smoothly around the corner. The aim is to open the brakes completely at the apex in order to shoot onto the next straight at speed. Abrupt braking manoeuvres and angular lines are immediately punished by roots and slippery foliage.

Learning effect: If you manage to carry your momentum through the bend in the wet, you'll be sweeping through the trail slalom next summer. You will develop a feel for the right cornering speed, a consistent radius and controlled braking.

WATER RINS

In autumn or spring, there are water channels and puddles on the trail. This is an opportunity for you to practise your trail technique. The front wheel should float smoothly over obstacles instead of clumsily rumbling through them. Start in the basic position, bend your legs and arms and stretch dynamically just before the obstacle. The hips move backwards/upwards. The arms remain stretched as long as the bike is in the air.

Learning effect: The manual is a real supreme discipline in mountain biking. If you can surf cleanly through puddles and gullies, you have the most important basics at your fingertips. This technique provides safety, riding fun and speed on every trail - even in summer and for a wide variety of terrain situations.

Expert tip from BIKE riding technique guru Stefan Herrmann: "When the wet autumn and the short days tie me to the familiar home trails, I switch to a hardtail or deliberately ride with too high air pressure. This creates new stimuli and trains the bike feeling enormously."