How to Skid on Mountain Bikes

When racing mountain bikes, or even during regular trail riding, taking corners can slow you down and cause you to lose momentum. You can avoid this by learning how to skid on your bike. You can maintain the same speed and whip around corners without losing control of your bike. This will take time to perfect with regular practice.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Skid your mountain bike around corners on trails meant specifically for mountain biking. Skidding can cause damage to a multi-use trail that otherwise wouldn't be noticeable on a trail meant just for mountain biking.

2. Select the corner that you will skid around on your mountain bike. This corner should be a corner that you don't want to lose momentum on by having to slow down. The corner shouldn't be near a cliff edge, sharp rocks or tight turns.

3. Break your wheel traction by kicking the back end of your bike in the opposite direction you want to go. Do this as soon as you approach the curve because you will skid instantly when you break the traction.

4. Recover from the skid on your mountain bike by pulling your handlebars in the direction you want to go. It is easiest to stand up during the skid and recovery.

Tips & Warnings

• Always wear proper safety equipment, especially when first learning to skid on mountain bikes.
• Avoid skidding in treacherous areas as you can easily lose control of your mountain bike. These areas include jagged rocks, cliffs and narrow, tree-lined trails.

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