Berm riding

paul_284
paul_284 Posts: 34
edited August 2011 in Routes
Can any one recommend a good place to practice berm riding in essex? I'm hitting the trails in danbury regularly but as i've got better i'm coming into the berm on the top mirror trail much faster and just cant hold my speed and not sure why.

Comments

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    No idea where to practice, sorry, but I can offer a few tips.
    Stay off the brakes when in the bend - they'll actually cause the bike to try and right itself whilst cornering.
    Leasn the bike RIGHT over, this part can take some getting used to.

    And if it's not a particularly fast turn, but it is tight, then lean the bike more than you lean your body, by pushing down with your inner elbow. If the speed is low, you will never be able to lean with the bike enough without toppling over.
  • stumpyjon
    stumpyjon Posts: 3,983
    Also makesure you're body position is correct, you should be central over the bike. Some people have a habit of slipping off the back on bermss. This just means your front wheel isn't weighted and you won't be able to steer.

    Can't help you with Essex berms but in sunny :roll: Lancs both Lee Quarry & Gisburn Forest are stuffed full of every sort.
    It's easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission.

    I've bought a new bike....ouch - result
    Can I buy a new bike?...No - no result
  • phinw
    phinw Posts: 2
    Yeah, we are a bit short on berms in Essex!

    The main things to consider are to 1. Get your braking done and speed manageable before the berm, you will gain it back as you go round, then (as yeehaamcgee says) commit! (no brakes). 2. Get your footwork right. Your outside foot should be down (which might seem obvious) but then push with all your weight on the foot into the berm. This pushes the bike into the apex, maintains your grip and stops you flying of the top. 3. Look down the trail - once your in the turn worry about the next thing coming up.

    If you can stretch to it, a coaching day with UK Bike Skills would sort you right out. Tony has some serious berms at his place + just about every other type of corner you can think off: http://www.ukbikeskills.co.uk/ (check the blog)
  • welshkev
    welshkev Posts: 9,690
    was it this months MBUK with the free DVD? there's a section on the DVD about riding berms :D
  • 1mancity2
    1mancity2 Posts: 2,355
    welshkev wrote:
    was it this months MBUK with the free DVD? there's a section on the DVD about riding berms :D

    X2 Brilliant dvd with easy to follow tips.
    Finished, Check out my custom Giant Reign 2010
    Dirt Jumper Dmr Sidekick2
  • explosifpete
    explosifpete Posts: 1,327
    Bmx track!
    braintree has two and its not to far from danbury also south woodham had a track but i'm not sure if it is still there
    http://www.iwaxstudio.co.uk/
  • Andy B
    Andy B Posts: 8,115
    Berms, as mentioned above, stay off the brakes (the hardest part for me!), weight central, outside foot pushing down, inside arm pushing down and look as far as you can see round the berm

    or in pics, here's one I did earlier (Big thanks to UK Bike Skills.co.uk for quite a few pointers on lots of things)

    DSC08536.JPG
    2385861000_d125abe796_m.jpg
  • ollie51
    ollie51 Posts: 517
    If you're prepared to go to suffolk (woodbridge) try snape country park (the foresty area in tunstall) that's where the elite riders in the east like to practise their riding of berms. I think fire road 24 is the best.

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