The joy of riding up hill and down dale is that anyone can do it, but cross-country pros do it faster and for longer. Here, cross-country ace Billy Whenman teaches you the essential skills you need to get riding well and help you overcome the tricky scenarios you might encounter on the trail. Read Doddy’s article for MBUK here or go to http://www.bikeradar.com/fitness/article/flow-like-a-pro-hone-your-skills-with-billy-whenman-24909

1 Getting airborne
Accidentally getting bucked into the air is dangerous. Being able to control the bike and stay calm should this happen is essential – but the only way to do this is to learn how to jump things.
Out on the trails, the main offenders are roots. They can be used to hit and gap sections of trail, and can equally pop you up into the air when you’re least expecting it. Staying loose is your best bet – if you’re relaxed you’re more likely to make subtle movements and regain control.
Spot the take-off: Rolling along the trail, pick the root or rock you want to pop off, and keep your eye on it. As you get nearer, inspect the landing area – you want to land on a smooth piece of ground that has a good run-out.
Pop: Depending on how far you need to jump, you’ll have to either pull up hard, or simply hit the root and then lean back.
Relax: As the bike kicks into the air, shift your weight back to account for the rear wheel popping up, and allow the bike to come up between your legs.
Heads up: Keep your eyes on the exit and your head up – it helps balance the bike. Stay relaxed and try to keep the bike level using small back and forth movements.
Softly softly: Even if the landing is a smooth one, gently ease the bike into it and use your whole body to absorb the impact. Make sure you keep your head up while doing this.