Don’t Do This! | MTB Technique Explained

This is one of the most common mistakes that I see on trail and something I've had to work on a lot throughout my career. Learning to use your eyes when cornering will greatly increase your exit speed and overall momentum while riding. It's natural for this to feel a little weird and scary at first but you'll get better with practice. Be patient and build up slow.
Tip: It's easy to forget this technique when you're riding as looking too close in front of you is often a habit that has become so second nature that it's hard to even remember that you're doing it. For a constant reminder you can simply put a piece of tape on your handlebars and write "eyes up" on it. That has helped me to remember when I'm wanting to work on this consistently.
See ya in the next one!
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[@barrynobles95]

KZbin Champion in no time!

[@Bob_Shy_132]

Yeah, agreed. An old roadracers' saying is, 'look at where you want to go'. I still try to do this when pedalling on the sidewalks around here. I tend to get a little ground down and forget to do this. Lol

[@j2spiff]

Hey that’s me, I’m the 50/50 rider. Thanks for the awesome tips Aaron, and I will definitely take them in to consideration the next time I’m riding.

[@j2spiff]

Man I wish I woulda thought of stopping to meet you. Maybe next time.

[@jmd8270]

@@j2spiff did you notice that it was Gwin doing his vids?

[@j2spiff]

I knew it was him but I didn’t think he was filming a yt vid

[@jmd8270]

@@j2spiff if it was me i would've stopped and tried to chat a little or maybe not would not even know what to ask him lol

[@nosreuter]

Feel honored to be given the opportunity to learn from the best, thanks a lot Aaron!!

[@LagBomer]

It all depends on who you get advice from. We are at the right place. Magnificent.

[@trevorhernandez9381]

Loving the videos man! Production quality is going way up and can tell you’re getting so much more comfortable in front of the camera. Keep em coming!!

[@GwinnerTube]

Thanks Trevor, appreciate the feedback! We're gettin there!

[@envisiondronemediastudios3884]

Always Eyes Up Baby!

[@daddudesdostuff]

Preach... corner speed is soo important. Thanks for the video

[@cam.cooks.preeeemium]

By far the best explanation for " look through the corner" yet!

[@mtbalpinecounty]

I concur..I'm 58 But I learned along time ago..the eyes. The wheel will get you into trouble. But in slow gnarly tech ,its what ya do. So riding technique changes as fast as the trail. Great info Aaron!

[@tbell1979]

lots of online coaching for this sort of thing... I'll take this version any day. Well done, Aaron!

[@simonkatsch]

Nice @Aaron Gwin! More of this vids please 👌🏻

[@mammothkiwi]

Loved the desc as a beginer rider, keep it up dude

[@cheskybaba4864]

Arron - spot on! I've been riding 30 yrs - still undoing bad habits. This is a tough one , but you are absolutely right. Have a good Christmas and stay healthy!

[@uwe_bike]

Another bad habit is to misspell names... ;)

[@cave11adventure]

Aaron, you are the man! You have shown what’s possible by a human on a mountain bike! Congratulations.

[@davehumpleby3440]

Without doubt the best explanation I've come across for cornering. It's no wonder you're a champion. Hats off to you sir.

[@donbenincasa7442]

Love this video! Merry Christmas bud🎄✌🏼❤️🍻

[@DHOBSESSIONS]

thank you Aaron for the new approach of your channel by sharing your MTB knowledge...i heard that tip from you years ago on pinkbike, among many helpful dh tips, stocked for your next episode

[@LawrenceWampler]

Loving the slow mo where we can see when/if you're breaking too!

[@bsheep83]

Trails look so familiar 😉great video!

[@ianfleischhacker6154]

What an awesome Christmas present from one of the best to ever do it.

[@TwoHeadsBrewing]

So thankful for riding motorcycles before mountain bikes. The old saying: "push right, look right, go right" comes to mind.

[@seandunwell8160]

That was by far the best ‘how to corner’ video I have ever seen 👏👏👏 that view from above with the correct and wrong way 👌 and explaining there was about 25 seconds of trail before you can get on the power again was spot on. Show it he way they link together, everyone says they do, but they don’t explain why or haw 😅 well done man. Please keep them coming, might beat my mates next season 🤓 😉✌️

[@GwinnerTube]

Let's goooo! 👊

[@clemens8744]

it definetely is. I only wonder what Sam Hill might say on "geht the widest turn possible" ;)

[@bikechiatrist]

Awesome explana-stration 🤘straight from years of training. Your muscle-memory on hitting those turns makes you feel it is wrong when you try to show it with "bad eyes". Awesome!

[@SubmarinersDive]

Thanks for sharing the knowledge! Merry Christmas!

[@gw8390]

Super sick! Makes me nostalgic for the racing days.

[@MattWaller04]

Loving the content! Thanks Aaron!

[@octodadmtbmartyrichards2862]

Good advice bro. Well explained 👊. Keep your head up when riding, look ahead down the trail and break before corners and no breaks when cornering.

[@robertlinkvis1680]

I have a roscoe 8 2021 hardtail I learned a lot from you Aaron I've been riding mountain bikes since the 1980 s and dirtbikes

[@hopNglo]

Super helpful! I’m sure we’ve all noticed that these types of errors occur more frequently when you’re tired and just ‘not feeling’ it. It’s awesome to get a handle on why we end up late on the turn. Thank you so much.

[@muno12]

So those are the lines on DD! Great video, keep ‘em coming.

[@SprSonik13]

Great video! Recently did a cornering clinic and this video was a great refresher.

[@collinmcballin]

Wow, rad... This is for sure my greatest weakness as well. So cool hearing that I'm in the same boat as you because I always wondered how to "not stare at the ground" Thanks so much for the insight! Can't wait to work diligently on this!! Cheers!

[@phoenixinthetrees1446]

This is definitely something I keep forgetting about, so it's reassuring to hear that even a pro has to remind himself! I often end up braking in the berm - then shouting at myself for doing so! The 'bad eyes' / 'good eyes' comparison is really instructive.

[@HRS8509]

Thanks for the helpful tipps and happy birthday Aaron!

[@shaunbowman8036]

whoah man - this is a great video... I wasn't sure what I was going to see when i picked it - maybe just a highlights video of your racing, or an interview - when it was skills it was a suprise because I've never seen you do a video like that! This was great - like, this is how you would actually teach someone how to do it... appropriate level of detail, not just like "uhh here's a few words but mostly watch me shred". Thanks man!

[@awilds]

Best tutorial on cornering I have seen. Would love to see a similar one for FLAT CORNERS. Great Job Aaron!

[@wellstanner3216]

Same practice for flat corners but a greater emphasis on technique. Focus on getting your weight on top of the bike so you greatly increase your traction. Cathro's vid on it in the Pinkbike series is pretty decent.

[@lamefart]

I forgot what tut I've seen, maybe it's from one of the tons of GMBN videos or from Paul the Punter where a pro taught him..

[@calypso2niner]

Merry Christmas! Thanks for the advice, these videos are great.

[@0RANGOTANG]

Just found your channel, I don’t own a MTB yet but when I do I’ll definitely watch some of your other videos for help

[@misaelmelchor]

Awesome .. very helpful. Thank you for making this content. Looks like at Double D trail.

[@jcervelli]

love this concept....vince lombardi used to tell his running backs to "run to daylight"...same concept. your body will go where your eyes are looking

[@caseychaffin2801]

Thank you Aaron! This is one that I’ve been working on. Very helpful!

[@patortiz9095]

Good advice! Something more for me to work on. DD is a great trail to work this out on. It would be interesting to see a POV while you ride and have a circle note where your eyes are focused on.

[@roberthall106]

Thanks for sharing Aaron, I’ve been focusing on corners this week but have forgotten to look up! Tomorrow’s ride should be better 🤙

[@gabrielfernandez566]

Target fixation is what we call it on a motorcycle , great tips

[@raheemgahelable]

Gold as always, Aaron! Keep up the great work

[@savageferria505]

Great video! I forget sometimes but try to be mindful of this every time I ride. This tip alone has improved my cornering and ability to carry speed through corners drastically

[@mccown12]

Great video Aaron!

[@RickyDownhillRDH]

Good stuff Aaron, thanks for sharing! I've really got this issue but it's comes from a unique situation. I'm always wearing the GoPro and following my buddies so close (to get good video) that I'm always watching their rear tire because I can't see past them. So when I'm not filming, or finally riding out front I have a hard time of breaking that habit of looking too close in front of me. I'll start working harder on this when the snow starts melting!!

[@isaiahbernstein8005]

This is awesome! Great explaining it! Keep it up man!

[@FrankVanDykeRealtor]

Thanks buddy!! Been watching a lot of cornering videos lately and that’s definitely one of the best. Luckily that’s one of my locals so heading over now to session that corner and double. Thanks for the great tips!!

[@alincdhr]

Again Aaron, another well done video. I have watched and seen many trainers and coaches in all my years of dh racing and with the exception of few, none have as good a approach and effective simplicity as you in your videos. Cheers!

[@cameronmclennan1664]

Simplicity here is just focusing on the eyes and by default line choice. Not complicating by other items like outside leg down or feet feet flat, body separation, inclination, twist, pumping at the apex for corner exit speed and all that kind of stuff. Look where you want to go. If you’re looking at the ground in front of you, soon enough that’s where you’ll end up :)

[@eugenegutierrez5106]

That’s so true where you look is where you’ll end up. Most riders doesn’t scan the trail.

[@AdrenalineIsLife]

Love this! Thanks for sharing.

[@TheLoamWolf]

Awesome work Aaron. Thanks for taking time to share your hard-earned insight!

[@Pozitivi]

Awesome tips Aaron 🏆🎯

[@MrBrenos]

Your explanation vids are getting better and better mate 👌👍

[@harlanswan8184]

Thanks Gwin! I know this super simple tip is really going to help my riding.

[@speedpilot]

I love those videos!!! Keep it up. can you make a video on how to brake Properly into corners? I struggle to find the perfect spot to let off my brakes in corners

[@iamsmashy]

Awesome, if videos like these were labeled episodically for a skills series I think that would be super rad. Nice tutorial

[@Prob0]

Excellent vid! Going to have to watch this a few times. Wild to think, as clapped out as that is, I'd pay good money to see berms like that in Laguna (but only on a few trails).

[@daddudesdostuff]

Merry Christmas Aaron!

[@apex71]

This is an awesome tutorial. Please keep producing this type of content.

[@Kook___]

what if people are doing this on purpose and taking inside line to blow up the corner- maybe that's why its all extended lmao. good content as always!

[@GRP_RIDE]

This is so helpful, great to see how it's covered by you and letting us understand it's something to remember and continuously practice. Great tips, great videos.

[@BasicBodThor]

This is one thing I always struggle with. Before hitting the trails I'll be like "ok, look out to the exit of the corner", then I usually forget as soon as I start to ride lol

[@dansvrs]

Thanks Aaron, always a good reminder as we are all guilty as you say. Still a massive weakness of mine... hazard fixation! Have a good Christmas! Keep up the great videos.

[@motomort]

Focus forward! Love this video. Great job Aaron!

[@adamb.4585]

Aaron teaching turns is like Tiger teaching how to chip. Totally badass!

[@bryndon]

Great insight man! Thanks for taking the time to do the deep dive. Super valuable... Keep em coming!

[@xavierletendre1588]

Awesome videos🤘 Thanks for posting them. I'll definitely watch these again once the snow melts. A Gwinner race camp would be amazing!! I race enduro and want to start DH but they don't have any camps or races in Sainte Anne unless the UCI is in town.

[@mogulhopper]

Extremely well described and demonstrated I've now saved this into my saved videos for future reference. Look forward to more progressive tutorials from one of the very best racers on the planet.

[@jimothyMTB]

Loving the videos for sure! Keeping it simple and straight forward.

[@workhorsemtb7075]

Aaron, these videos you are doing are great! Thank you

[@bw492]

Thanks for this one! I’m about as new to mt biking as you can get…one trail ride so far. This situation definitely was a challenge but I think I’ll have better next time out with these tips!

[@nordica44]

Great lesson. Even better your ability to convey and communicate the process. I see lots of potential for these videos

[@drumlessons833]

Your approach to education is very effective

[@fuellerr]

Great Vid this applies to Motocross too

[@captainmorgan315]

Thanks for the tips 🤙🏼

[@erwinalbsone859]

great video and insight.. Thank you Champ 🏆

[@monoid4]

Aaron, your videos are just great. the way you explain things is understandable and based on practice. I especially liked your video about the cockpit. i also come from mx and many of my dh buddies are always amazed that i have the handlebars a ittle more backwards instead of forwards and also move the levers a little further down. now that you show that I feel good, thank you :-)

[@iwanttoridemtb]

Great job explaining this technique!

[@franzfranky]

Messing corners up that way is also very exhausting, because you need to extra pedal to gain your speed back… if you do this multiple times in a run, it‘s not only the time what is missing, you also lost some energy for this extra bit of concentration or the final sprint.

[@seminas]

Amazing videos Aaron realy nice of you sharing your knowledge wiht us common mtb mortals! and i've been chering for you on the world cup, good luck for Val di Sole!

[@shaunbarrett5284]

Love these videos!

[@ridemx323]

If you’re going to go work on this technique on the trail, do it at a slower speed than usual. If you ride your normal pace and try to look further ahead for the first time the speed can be a bit daunting and may cause more issues.

[@JoshuaTootell]

I suggest to people to practice in the parking before/after your ride while waiting for others to get ready. Also a good time is to go last in your group, particularly behind a slower friend, and practice then when you don't have pressure to go fast.

[@antoine6908]

thank you Aaron looking forward to see more teaching mtb videos

[@thunderdogproductions]

THIS is the video I need! I was just thinking about how I come out of a turn needing to hit the gas because I think i turn like try #2

[@sticksspokesropes2342]

Great video! Sharing it with the team

[@Justforfun-ek7et]

Question about pads and other protective gear. Is there a use/ need for elbow pads and chest and spine protection for intermediate trail riding, and helmets when to use full face versus the traditional ones. Thanks for all the great content lessons you provide.

[@lkb3rd]

Thanks for the tips Aaron!

[@gregwebster8784]

Advice from the best!

[@billvandusenmusic]

Thank you for sharing your valuable knowledge with us Aaron!

[@rubenvor]

Very well explained! Thanks 👍🏼

[@dennisfoster755]

So good! Must watch.

[@captainyetimtb2503]

Amazing video .. thank you.

[@EskimoMTB]

Totally guilty of this... done it many times in that 1st corner :DD Thanks for the lesson Aaron!

[@richardkovanda1707]

For how long I was awaiting such guide how to corner. Cheers Mr.Gwyn! When you're back in WC? :)

[@MattGlynn]

Awesome Aaron, really appreciate these videos! Thank you, keep it up.

[@mtbmahem2205]

That is a short dropper! Great detailed analysis.