Switchback Mistakes - How to Fix them!

Still struggling with those switchbacks? Let's break the technique down, and build it back up to get your switchbacks super solid.
Key tips:
1. Look around the corner, to your exit
2. Take a wide line into the corner, as wide as you possibly can
3. Drop your outside pedal
4. Lean your bike into the turn so that you can turn tightly
5. Brake smoothly, no grabbing.
6. Ease the brakes off as soon as your front wheel is exiting the turn. You can let your front brake off early to make sure the front end maintains momentum and you don't stall on exit.
Hit me up with any questions on this subject!
Thanks to my sponsors SCOTT Bikes, Sram MTB, Rockshox, Crank Brothers and MilKit!
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[@LornaT460]

Good job Anna! That was steep!

[@garyoneill8868]

Great video in beautiful country Anna. Great coaching too. I'm trying those techniques this afternoon.

[@EmilyHorridge]

Nice! How did you get on?

[@MTB_Derbyshire]

Tight, steep switchbacks, so much going on. Great video!

[@ericzimmer2645]

This difficult-to-learn MTB scenario: steep, tight turns, were beautifully coached by Emily. Good stuff!

[@EmilyHorridge]

Thanks Eric! 🙏🏻😊

[@GameplayerSolCley]

This is the best video in days. Thanks!

[@joannetosh6669]

Great video and explanation of breaking down the technique! Thank you!

[@barbbrazes869]

Great video! Love your channel!

[@beezerdoodle6140]

One brilliant piece of advice: look at the exit of the switchback! This one tidbit was magic for me. Thanks Emily!

[@EmilyHorridge]

You’re welcome! That applies to all corners 👍😁

[@MTBpaMore]

Awesome tutorial, keep it up and be safe

[@danielking3318]

Great video. Thanks

[@StevenHowellCarter]

Fantastic instruction. I love the positivity and break down.

[@EmilyHorridge]

Ah nice, thanks so much for your comment 😄

[@PVVI2015]

That was so helpful - clearly explained and demonstrated! I’ve been very nervous on switchbacks, but I have clear techniques to work on now. Thank you😊

[@EmilyHorridge]

You're welcome! Hope the switchbacks are coming together now :-)

[@rebeccagrant6622]

Thank you. Right tight switchbacks are my weakness too

[@rongreen316]

Good coaching!

[@Caseyfuriouslyknits]

I watched this before my ride tonight and it made a huge difference in getting through corners and some berms!! Thanks!

[@EmilyHorridge]

Nice! Have you also checked out the separate videos I made on flat turns, and on berms? There's those to have a look at if you haven't 😁

[@lizzypicardi]

Thanks Emily liked and subbed great content

[@rainerwallscheid1879]

I tried open the front brake at the end of the switchback. Gold 👍

[@EmilyHorridge]

Awesome! Cheers for letting me know!

[@KaltenBarJain]

Thanks for the tips:clear, precise and easy to understand... 👍

[@eddie3960]

Great vid! you just saved some of skin off shins from pedal strikes. I so needed to watch this video. I probably need to watch this vid daily!😊

[@EmilyHorridge]

Ha awesome! Good to hear! 👍

[@Swiftfury]

man, switchbacks are the worst ! (but also the best when you nail them !) Good on you for nailing some down, Anna !

[@EmilyHorridge]

she did well eh! She's been telling me about all the other ones she's nailed since, so good!

[@neocrashburn]

Long time EH! What have been up to? Glad to see you back on YT 😉

[@EmilyHorridge]

I've been riding my bike of course! 😁 Also May had 5 weekends in it, so that created an extra over the usual "first and third wknd" publishing schedule 🙂

[@danhart2411]

I was actually asking a friend the couple nights ago about this. I have the same issue with taking right hands .I can take left hand turns fast as can be but right turn a a bit slower. Thank you again Emily. I will try this tonight and practice this.

[@EmilyHorridge]

You're welcome! I didn't make a big enough deal of it in the video tbh, but the number one thing is to look round the corner. I think when it's our unnatural direction, that tends to be the first thing to be forgotten and then it's just a downward spiral from there!

[@danhart2411]

You think being right handed it wouldn't be a problem though lol just for years I've always been a little slower turning right i just accepted it . But what your saying makes sense. Will have to start working on that . Thanks again Emily.

[@trailjockeytj6160]

Left-hand corners are usually everyone’s better of the two, on average you will take more left-handers than right handers. For instance if you do a race they will usually send you in a counterclockwise direction giving you more left-handers. That’s just my take on it I do know people who turn right better than left but usually,And in my case, I do left-handers better. I do have a goofy foot stance which puts my lead foot forward and left handers I think also making it easier.

[@Hobiedude1]

Thanks Emily it would be great to have a lesson with you, you break it down so easily 👍😊

[@laramiegrinde9246]

I just pull all brakes🤣🤣🤣🤣 ladies, thank you so much for this video! It was literally just last week that I was absolutely getting my butt kicked by the tightest, nastiest switchbacks. Like they were so tight that you almost couldn't roll them. I feel better now because it's not just me struggling 😉

[@jennkuenzler2420]

Those switchbacks are SO STEEP!! 🙀🙀

[@stevemiller5015]

Hi I have so much trouble too turning to the right I have cerebral palsy and I have had six operations on my leg no matter what I try I can’t get over the fear that I am going to fall on my bad leg I am 50 years old now I ride approximately 30km every few days on my fat bike.

[@garyoneill8868]

Just keep trying Steve. Practice with easy stuff first (like the zigzags Anna showed in this video) and slowly over time tighten the corners. It doesn't matter how long it takes you to learn it but you can learn it. I assume you use flat pedals, not clipless.

[@EmilyHorridge]

yeah like Gary said, it's just practice. The carpark drills can be really good for that, as you can get really used to leaning your bike over, and get comfortable with that, and then over time your confidence will build. Then you will hopefully be less worried about falling on the bad leg. I am having my cruciate ligament in my knee reconstructed next week and I think I will be scared about falling on my bad leg when I eventually get back on my bike in a few months time. So I plan to just build up slowly to try and get my confidence back.

[@waynesimpson2074]

Emily, two questions: 1) Do you not need to get further back on the bike when attempting the really steep switchbacks as shown at the end of the video? 2) Where in the world is this video shot, it looks like MTB nirvana? Thanks, Wayne😁

[@EmilyHorridge]

Hey Wayne, thanks for the questions.. 1) you naturally do end up further back because the front of the bike is lower and so you're naturally countering the effects of gravity by moving back. The trick is to find a balance where you still have control over the front wheel, so you need to keep some flex at your elbows if you can, just so that you can actually turn. Bar height can play quite a big role in that front end control too, but that is another story! Maybe i should make a video on it! 2) This is in the Les Arcs area of the French Alps, and if by any chance you'd like a full-board guided holiday (t)here, check out the offerings on my website at emilyhorridgemtb.com/lesarcs/ 😉

[@waynesimpson2074]

@@EmilyHorridge Thanks for the prompt reply, that looks tremendous...one day😉

[@trailjockeytj6160]

I find that climbing a switch back is a lot easier for beginners, it’s easier to have confidence under power than under braking.

[@EmilyHorridge]

Yes you do have a little more time to consider what’s going on when it’s a climb definitely. I put this video together primarily thinking of people who come to places like the French Alps on holiday where you only ride down natural switchback trails - they would be impossible to ride up. Does give me the idea of an uphill switchback video though! 👊🏻 Will need to find the right trail for that round here 🤔😎🙂

[@GameplayerSolCley]

5:44 I love her she´s so nice and onest. 9:58 just so pro I cant do that.

[@gabar31]

Bien les filles 👭 👍👍👍

[@gentacycling8739]

I hate long steep switchback

[@EmilyHorridge]

stop hating and start practicing 😊😊😉

[@leighroughriders]

Thanks for good video but spoilt by annoying elevator music.

[@EmilyHorridge]

Haha, I see what you mean. Noted! 😉 Glad the talking and riding part was ok though 😊

[@cameronbartlett6593]

I think Zoolander had the same problem

[@EmilyHorridge]

🤣🤣