Fanylion Mountain Bike Team
Official site of the Fanylion Mountain Bike Team. Includes mountain bike ride guides, gear reviews, bike maintenance, team reports and rider profiles of the Fanylion Racing Team.
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Switchbacks
A switchback is a technical term for a hairpin bend that is higher at the entry point than the exit point. True switchbacks are rarely encountered in the UK, as the terrain is seldom steep enough to warrant them. They can be found at Glentress in Scotland, though the most Team FanyLion have encountered were, you guessed it, in Chamonix.
Once mastered switchbacks become far easier to get round, and by adopting a simple technique outlined below you will be able to tackle tighter and steeper switchbacks than before.
The secret is in pedal position. When entering a left-hand switchback you must have your right (outside) pedal forwards. Aim the front wheel nice and wide on the entry and allow the rear wheel to cut across the corner. As you reach the apex of the bend, lean your right shoulder to the left and down the hill and this will bring the bike round the corner and through the switchback. The same applies in reverse for right-handed switchbacks. This becomes more obvious after you practice the technique a few times.
If the switchback is very tight you may need to do a small endo whilst at the apex and hop the rear wheel round. This is pretty advanced stuff, made all the more difficult if there is a large drop beckoning you down just in front of you!
Practice makes perfect, but this technique will soon become second nature as you tackle steeper and tighter switchbacks.
Fany fact
If you are in pain after a big crash, that is good, it means you are still alive.