Hill Climbs & Descents

Skill 3 of 5

Why it matters

Hills magnify mistakes. Traction management, line commitment, and calm restarts keep you and your bike safe.

Principles

• Climb: pick a line, keep eyes up, and feed in clutch to maintain traction.
• Descend: stay tall, weight slightly back, eyes far down; modulate brakes to avoid lockups.
• Always have a bailout and a restart plan.

How to train

Use short, known hills with clear run‑outs. Alternate climbs and descents to practice both skills while fresh. Add switchbacks as confidence grows.

Safety

Use a spotter when consequence is high; practice bailouts (kill switch, rear brake, turn downhill) before committing.