I have literally lost count
how many times I've asked the
question, "So can you sidehill
on both sides of the sled?"
and time after time the answer
was always, "Oh yeah, no
problem." A left-hand throttle
is a dead give away that this
person's definition of sidehilling
is obviously a bit different
than mine.
I can usually sort out my
group's sidehilling ability in
the first couple minutes after
leaving the parking lot. After
jumping into the trees, hoping
over the sled and placing my
left foot on the right running
board, I give the handlebars a
quick flick to the left to get me
into a counter-steer position
and away we go on a fun little
sidehill through some trees.
Now usually I like taking
the harder line because, well
it's just more fun. Plus, these
riders assured me they were
ready for the technical stuff.
So when I finally get to a
good stopping point and look
behind me, this once-eager
group of riders who just told
me they can sidehill on either
side of the sled are missing.
Keep in mind I can still see the
parking lot and my group is
nowhere to be seen.
So I make a loop back to
go see what the hold up is
and it's not long before I find
the first victim standing on the
downhill side of his sled holding
it from rolling over on top
of him. This is a clear case of
trying to use the mountain bar
to sidehill. That doesn't work.
"So that's what you meant
when you said sidehill on both
sides of the sled," is a pretty
common response from many
of the riders I run into.
Here are a few pointers for
you riders out there that want
to answer my question about
sidehilling on both sides of the
sled with a confident, "Heck
yeah I can sidehill on both
sides...bring it on!"
Slow down. This is one of
the biggest mistakes made
when trying to negotiate a
sidehill. You should be able to
stop your sled on its side at
any moment during a sidehill.
Throttle control. Again this
comes back to being able to
stop and be in control of your
sled at all times.
Use the brake-a lot. I use
the brake almost as much as
the throttle during a technical
sidehill. You should really get
used to riding with a finger on
the brake lever at all times.
Hang a leg. For those of
you who think I do this for
show-I don't. Having a leg
out helps with balance, pedaling
the sled and it gives you
more leverage. It will feel
weird at first but when you get
used to it you won't know how
you ever rode without it.
Foot placement. This is
dependent on the type of terrain
you are trying to cover
but generally you will need to
have your foot that is on the
running board farther forward
for steep terrain, neutral for
the more average type of terrain
and having your foot far
back on the sled will make the
front end light and give you
the ability to go up hill if conditions
allow.
Lean into the hill with
your sled. And when you think
your sled is leaning enough its
probably not. Don't be afraid
to drag your handlebars in the
snow.
Look ahead. This sounds
so simple but every single
rider doesn't do this properly.
Even I struggle with this when
its at the end of the day when
I'm tired. Try planning your
line two to three moves in
advance and it will smooth out
your riding unbelievably.
Start with these tips and
just make sure you don't get
frustrated if they all don't
come together at once. To
get these little tips and tricks
in real world riding conditions
visit www.burandtsbackcountryadventure.
com and come
ride with me!
See you on the snow!
Burandt