Get off the brakes, they'll only slow you down - it's an old cliché but it's true. For the vast majority of us, going fast is a scary experience. It's easy to be aware of your own mortality - and the hardness of those trees - and bottle it. Here's how to get off the brakes for longer.
What's the problem?
A bike careering out of control can be daunting. Trailing or dabbing the brakes over obstacles helps slow its progress but also yours, and braking for too long will kill your momentum and leave you lots of pedaling to do.
Why does it happen?
It takes years of riding to become planted and comfortable at speed. By not addressing the brake-trailing issue, you prolong this progress. Pulling your brake levers reinstalls a sense of control - it's a difficult bond to break, but you need to learn to have that control at speed.
How can I get it right?
1. Do all your braking at once. On the approach to a corner, practice scrubbing off the required speed all in one squeeze of the levers before entry. You'll be surprised how much velocity you can actually ditch in one start.
2. Look at your position. Heels dipped? Elbows bent? Weight forward? Perfect your attacking stance and you'll find you simply won't need brake as much.
3. Look ahead. Keep your head up on the straights and through the corners and you get a lot more warning of upcoming obstacles. This gives you more time to react and, as a result, you won't be dreading the unexpected.
4. Practice! Confidence comes from familiarity, so find an 'easy' trail that you can ride comfortably and then practice riding it faster. Let the bike on the straights, practicing the braking and positioning techniques above.