by hattenburrow | Sep 19, 2025 | Coaching
Michael Guilford specialises in coaching gravity focused mountain bikers, preparing them for Downhill & Enduro races.
Many mountain bikers head straight for steep, technical trails—only to find their cornering confidence and speed don’t improve. One of the biggest reasons is skipping the basics.
If you want to ride steep corners smoothly and with control, you need to know when to release the brakes, let the bike roll, and trust your technique. The secret? Start small, build your skills in a safe environment, and then progress to harder trails.
In this guide, Michael shares a simple cornering progression he uses with downhill & enduro riders to help them gain speed, control, and confidence when descending.
Why Cornering Skills Are So Important in MTB
Cornering is one of the most important MTB skills because it affects your flow, speed, and confidence on trails. Poor technique often leads to braking too much, sliding out, or feeling unstable in turns. By practicing step-by-step, you’ll learn to trust your tyres, stay balanced, and carry speed safely.
Step 1: Practice MTB Cornering on Easy Gradients
Before hitting steep terrain, start on a slope with just enough gradient to roll without pedalling.
· Find a mellow hill – Avoid steep sections where heavy braking is needed.
· Set up wide turns – Focus on smooth control instead of speed.
· Aim for no braking – Gradually work towards rolling turns without touching the levers.
MTB Cornering Technique Tips:
· Stay centred on the bike – Keep weight balanced between both wheels, hips over the middle. Stay soft through arms and ankles so the bike can move beneath you. But keep your pedals level & avoid bending your legs more than your arms.
· Bend your arms – bending your arms before the turn will help to initiate the turn.
· Take wide lines – Wider turns increase grip and stability.
· Turn your head – Your bike follows your head, so always look where you want to go.
· Pump the turns – As you gain speed, you can use a subtle pumping technique to apply pressure for grip and control. (this is why you need to have pedals level)
👉 These simple mountain bike cornering drills are enough to make a big difference—don’t overcomplicate it.
Step 2: Progress on Supported Corners – Pumping & Maximal Braking
Once you’re confident on easy gradients, move to trails with more gradient and supportive berms.
· Pumping technique – Pump through corners to gain grip and exit with speed. This teaches you to apply pressure at the right point. · Maximal braking – Instead of dragging brakes (which ruins flow), brake hard at safe, supported spots, then release and roll smoothly through the turn.
💡 Pro Tip: Practice both skills on flat ground first, then apply them on the trail.
Step 3: Apply Your Cornering Skills on Steep & Technical Trails
Now it’s time to use your skills on the steeps. This stage can feel challenging, but remember the foundations:
· Keep your body centred
· Release the brakes and let the bike roll
· Pump through corners for grip and speed
· Choose wide entry lines for more stability
It may take several attempts to feel comfortable, but consistency is key.
Key Takeaways: How to Improve Your MTB Cornering Skills
The most common fault in progressing cornering technique is overcomplicating the body movement. Most people need to focus on bending their arms more & being stiffer through their legs. This helps to apply pressure in the centre of the turn, using grip from both tyres effectively.
· Start on mellow terrain before tackling steep trails
· Stay centred and balanced over the bike
· Use wide lines for grip and flow
· Pump corners to generate control and speed
· Use maximal braking, not constant dragging
Progress takes time, but with regular practice, your cornering will become smoother, faster, and far more controlled.
Ready to Improve Your MTB Cornering Technique?
If you want faster progression and personalised feedback, a mountain bike coaching session can help you refine your technique and build confidence. 👉 Book a Technical Descending Skills Session in Sheffield
by hattenburrow | Sep 2, 2025 | Uncategorized
Velo Core Performance’s mission is to empower cyclists to ride further, faster, and for longer by combining evidence-based mobility and strength training with expert insight into the “why” behind every exercise, fostering lifelong cycling performance and healthy habits.
Mission Purpose
Velo Core Performance was created by lifelong cyclist and instructor Hannah Griffiths, whose expertise in Pilates, corrective exercise, and cross-country mountain biking informs every aspect of the program. The goal is not just to provide cyclists with the right exercises, but to ensure they understand how each movement enhances performance and reduces injury risk.
Educational Approach
Unlike conventional training apps, Velo Core Performance goes further by explaining the reasoning behind every exercise, empowering cyclists with knowledge so healthy habits can be formed and maintained. Hannah’s unique approach helps cyclists integrate mat-based mobility and strength routines into weekly training, making each session purposeful and effective.
Values & Commitment
Velo Core Performance values transparency, expert guidance, and evidence-driven practice—helping cyclists build resilience, understand their bodies, and enjoy every ride with confidence and clarity. By prioritising education, Velo Core fosters a supportive environment for cyclists of all levels to achieve their goals and sustain long-term performance.
Find out more here.
by hattenburrow | Jun 19, 2025 | Pilates, Workouts
Here are five common myths about core training for cyclists, along with clarifications based on current cycling and sports science perspectives:
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- Cyclists Don’t Need Core Training
Myth: Cycling is a leg-dominant sport, so only leg strength matters.
Reality: Core strength is crucial for maintaining an effective and comfortable posture on the bike, especially over long distances. Weak core muscles can lead to inefficiencies, poor bike handling, and increased risk of pain or injury in the back, neck, or knees.
- Core Training Must Be Intense or Use Heavy Weights
Myth: You need to do advanced core exercises or lift heavy weights to benefit your cycling.
Reality: Simple bodyweight and functional core exercises are often sufficient. Consistency and proper form matter more than intensity or heavy loads, and these exercises help prevent overuse injuries and improve overall stability.
- Core Training Will Make You Bulky and Slow
Myth: Developing core muscles will add unwanted bulk and slow you down.
Reality: Core training for cyclists focuses on endurance and stability, not muscle hypertrophy. Improving core strength leads to better power transfer, efficiency, and comfort—making you faster and more resilient, not bulkier.
- Core Training Is Only for Off-Season or Injury Recovery
Myth: You only need to work on core strength when you’re injured or during the off-season.
Reality: Core training should be a year-round part of your routine. Regular core workouts help maintain posture, reduce fatigue, and prevent injuries, supporting both performance and longevity in cycling.
- Cycling Alone Is Enough to Strengthen Your Core
Myth: Riding your bike is sufficient to build and maintain core strength.
Reality: While cycling engages your core to some extent, it’s not enough to fully develop or maintain core strength and stability. Targeted core exercises are necessary to address weaknesses and prevent imbalances.
These myths often lead cyclists to neglect core training, but evidence shows that a strong, stable core is essential for performance, comfort, and injury prevention on the bike.
Come and join my community of cyclists who are stepping up their core training and feeling the rewards in their cycling.
by hattenburrow | Apr 9, 2025 | Coaching
Here are five essential tips for cornering on a mountain bike, focusing on proper technique and control:
- Keep Your Head Up and Look Through the Corner
- Always keep your eyes up and look toward the exit of the corner. This helps you anticipate the trail ahead, choose the best line, and adjust your body position accordingly.
- Your head and shoulders should follow the direction you want to go, as this naturally aligns your body and bike with the turn.
- Brake Before Entering the Hardest Part of the Corner
- Perform all significant braking before entering the corner while your bike is upright. Braking mid-turn can disrupt balance, reduce traction, and cause instability.
- Use both front and rear brakes effectively but avoid locking up either wheel. This ensures smooth deceleration without compromising control.
- Maintain a Vertical Body Position While Leaning the Bike
- Keep your body upright and perpendicular to the ground while leaning your bike into the turn. This technique improves traction and allows better control over the bike’s movement.
- Push your outside foot down on the pedal for added stability, especially in flat or loose corners.
- Adopt a Low, Balanced Stance
- Lower your center of gravity by bending at the hips and keeping your elbows wide. This enhances stability and allows you to react quickly to changes in terrain.
- Keep your chin over the stem to stay centered between the wheels, ensuring even weight distribution for optimal grip.
- Follow a Smooth Line and Adjust Gradually
- Choose a consistent line through the corner and avoid sudden movements. Visualize an ideal path that keeps you balanced between the inner and outer edges of the trail.
- As you exit the corner, gradually straighten up and apply power smoothly to maintain momentum.
By practicing these techniques regularly, you’ll improve both speed and control while cornering on mountain bike trails.
by hattenburrow | Mar 17, 2025 | Training
Strength training can make you a better cyclist, but its effects on cycling performance are nuanced. While it may not directly lead to significant improvements in cycling performance, strength training offers several benefits that can indirectly enhance your cycling abilities.
Benefits of Strength Training for Cyclists
- Improved pedalling efficiency: Strength training increases your ability to apply force to the pedals, potentially allowing you to cover more distance with each pedal stroke.
- Injury prevention: Regular strength training can help cyclists become more resilient and reduce the risk of common cycling injuries.
- Overall health improvements: Strength training promotes better balance, coordination, flexibility, bone density, and muscle mass retention.
- Body composition: Cyclists who regularly perform strength training tend to have more fat-free mass and lower levels of body fat.
- Enhanced anaerobic capacity: Strength training can improve your ability to sprint, recover from sprints, and handle repeated accelerations.
Low bone mineral density and cyclists.
Andersen et al. (2018) looked at bone mineral density (BMD) in elite endurance athletes, comparing runners and cyclists. Not surprisingly they found that all cyclists had lower BMD at all sites compared to the runners, and 10 out of 19 cyclists were classified as having low BMD. This was despite them claiming to perform heavy resistance training at the lower extremities.
They reported that low BMD was site specific having occurred in the lumbar spine and femoral neck, and was not confined to females, but was related to cycling itself. In fact, one rider was classified as osteoporotic despite his young age and had suffered a spinal fracture previously. One of the conclusions from the study was that in some cases heavy lifting alone is not sufficient, as this was only performed for 2-4 months of the year (in the off-season). The recommendation is therefore to include things like running, sprinting, jumping and plyometrics (explosive jumps and landings) as well as strength training year-round.
Performance Impact
One of the top reasons that I recommend strength training to cyclists is injury prevention. Multiple studies have shown significant decreases in overuse injuries in cyclists who participate in regular strength training. Some studies showed up to 50% risk reduction from strength training.
It’s important to note that strength training should complement, not replace, your cycling training. The most significant benefits come when strength training is combined with a structured cycling plan. While you may not see dramatic improvements in your cycling performance solely from strength training, the overall health benefits and potential for injury prevention make it a valuable addition to your training regimen.
If you would like to know more about Velo Core, my app for cyclists that helps the improve their strength and power via off the bike workouts follow this link.
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