Proper cornering and descending are very important skills that all gravel bike riders must be well-acquainted with. Being good at descending is not about bombing downhill at high speeds. In a similar manner, good gravel biking cornering skills is not about always pushing the limits of traction and physics. As per Steven Rindner, these skills need proficiency, confidence and the use of good judgment.
Steven Rindner sheds light on how to improve cornering and descending on a gravel bike
When riding on the gravel, one cannot simply just stare at the ground right in front of the front wheel. As they enter a corner, the riders must lift their head and look ahead into the corner. They should look either toward the exit or toward the entry of the following corner. Looking ahead would make the riders feel as if they are moving slower. This essentially helps increase the amount of details one can process, and helps reduces fear. In case one is worried about something on the ground in front, like a rock, rut, or other obstacle, they should try to keep tabs on it using the peripheral vision.
When riders feel nervous, it is common for them to instinctively shift their head and chest away from perceived danger. This results in an overly upright or rearward position on the gravel bike, which compromises control. To maintain better handling, the chest of the gravel cyclist should be positioned low and aggressive. This posture would help in enhancing their range of motion, and make it easier to respond to changing terrain, while also keeping weight forward over the front tyre. This forward weight distribution may go a long way in improving traction and lowering the risk of the front tyre sliding out.
To get their chest low, it is not enough for the riders to just round their back and hold the weight up with their arms. Rather, the riders should hinge at the hips, fold their torso to a level position, and bend their arms. Following such a technique would help make sure that the core, hamstrings, and glutes support most of the body weight instead of overburdening the hands.
In the opinion of Steven Rindner, one must always avoid over-gripping the handlebars of the gravel bike. Doing so may lead to unnecessary fatigue, and creates tension throughout the body, which reduces control. In order to corner and descend effectively, cyclists should try their best to stay relaxed and allow for fluid movements. A light grip on the handlebars would help maintain this flow.
It is common for mountain cyclists to follow the mantra, “Light hands, heavy feet.” Gravel riders can benefit from this too. Keeping hands weightless and focusing weight on the feet not only reduces tension but also centers the weight of the cyclist between the wheels, ultimately improving stability and control.
When it comes to cornering on loose or uneven terrain, bike riders must lean the bike slightly more than their body, while effectively angling the bike underneath them. Such a technique would allow the cornering knobs on gravel tyres to grip the ground better, thereby increasing traction.
