ADV Riding Basics: Approaching Obstacles. What Works vs What Doesn’t — Body Position, Speed & Timing

How we introduce obstacles — it all starts with three variables: body position, approach speed, and timing. Those three things make a huge difference to the success you have, and the confidence you build when riding over obstacles. This ties directly back to the three pillars of off-road riding: technique, traction, and balance. You need to be balanced and poised on the bike, with a clear understanding that the bike must keep moving consistently across the obstacle. Your body position should complement the bike, allowing the suspension to stay neutral and centralised. When you bring all of that together, you create a technique that works — something you can repeat across different obstacles, no matter the size or terrain.