Drop Offs

Near vertical drops can be extremely intimidating but learning how to tackle them will boost your confidence.

1. While this is a low speed technique, you still need a moderate amount of momentum. Somewhere around a brisk walking pace will help you roll through without your front wheel ‘stalling’ at the base of the drop and will also keep you on line without wobbling or bouncing off the trail. Get your momentum prior to the obstacle and coast the final metres before the drop so that your arms and legs are relaxed with your cranks level. If you are unsure about the height and steepness of the drop, hop off your bike and roll it down to check if your chainrings will clear (remember that your forks will compress, effectively lowering your bottom bracket when you ride off). Also take note of anything at the base of the drop that may catch your front wheel.
 Roll through to the drop at a brisk walking pace
2. Stay relaxed with your arms bent and your weight centred or slightly forward on the bike. Commitment is critical as this is the point of no return; rolling off the drop and stuffing it up completely would still be better than grabbing a handful of front brake just as your front wheel reaches the drop!
 Stay relaxed with your arms bent and your weight centred
3. Extend your arms and get your body weight back. This should happen in one smooth motion allowing the front of the bike to drop away from you. The bigger and steeper the drop, the further you need to get back—you’ll need to get your thighs well behind the saddle for drops over a foot as well as those located part way down a steep descent. Exaggerate the rearward weight shift if there is a chance that your chainring could hit the lip of the drop or if the transition at the base could stall your front wheel.
 Extend your arms and get your body weight back
4. Once your front wheel clears the transition, you should be home and hosed. Smoothly move forward on the bike as your rear wheel rolls down the drop and you return to more level ground. Maintain your focus on the trail ahead and hold your line.
 Smoothly move forward on the bike as your rear wheel rolls down the drop