What a “line” is
On a trail, a line is the path your wheels follow through a section: which side of a root you cross, which part of a rut you use, where you brake and where you let the bike run. Good riders often seem to float over rough ground, and much of that comes from choosing sensible lines early rather than from fancy technique.
Off-road riding carries real risk. Falls on trails can cause serious injuries, so wear a helmet and protection suited to where you ride, learn in small steps on easy terrain, and be willing to walk anything that feels beyond you. Nothing here guarantees you will clear a section or avoid a fall.
Look further than you think you need to
On a trail, things happen quickly. If you only look at the obstacle in front of your wheel, you have no time to choose. Looking several bike lengths ahead, and further on open sections, lets you see what is coming and choose your approach. Your eyes tend to lead your bike, as explained in visual focus, so look at where you want to go, not at the thing you hope to miss.
A useful rhythm is to scan far to pick the general route, glance nearer to check the details, then return your eyes to the exit of the section. This happens constantly and becomes natural with practice.
Reading the features
Roots. Roots can be very slippery, especially when wet, and crossing them at a shallow angle makes the wheel more likely to slide. Where possible, cross roots as close to square-on as you can and avoid braking or steering sharply on top of them. Roots running along the trail, rather than across it, are often best avoided entirely.
Rocks. Loose rocks can shift under your tyres, and fixed rocks can strike wheels and pedals. Look for a path that goes around or between them, and be cautious about edges that could deflect or snag a wheel. Rocks can also be slick when wet.
Ruts. A rut can guide your bike, but it can also trap a wheel. Deep, narrow ruts may hold you in place, and getting out of one at a bad moment is hard. Consider whether the rut leads where you want to go, and whether you could leave it if you had to.
Loose or soft surfaces. Sand, loose dirt, leaf litter and mud change how a tyre grips, and usually how it steers and brakes. Slowing before the section, and avoiding sudden changes, helps. See loose surface braking for how braking changes.
Drop-offs, steps and water. If you cannot see the landing, or cannot tell how deep something is, stop and look. Walking a feature before you ride it is a good habit, discussed in walking a feature.
Choose a line within your ability
A good line is not the fastest or most impressive one; it is the one you can ride calmly. Some questions help:
- Can I see the whole section, including the exit?
- What is the easiest line, and is it clear of hazards?
- If I make a small mistake, what happens? Is there somewhere safe to go, or a drop, tree or water beside me?
- Is my speed appropriate? Too fast takes away decision time, while too slow can make a bike hard to balance on rough ground.
If the answer to any of these is uncertain, slow down, take the easier line, or get off and walk. Many experienced riders still walk sections that do not feel right on the day. Trail grading systems exist at some venues, and trail grading explains how they are meant to be read.
Use your body to help the line
Your position on the bike affects how well you can follow a chosen line. A neutral, ready stance with bent elbows and knees, level pedals and a light touch on the bars lets the bike move beneath you. This is the idea behind the attack position. Keep your fingers over the brake levers, brake mainly before rough sections rather than in the middle of them, and avoid gripping so tightly that the bars cannot absorb bumps.
Look for clues in the trail itself
The ground often tells you what other riders have done. A worn, darker line may be the popular route, though popular does not always mean best or easiest. Fresh tyre marks, scuffs and bare patches may show where bikes skid or struggle. After rain, a line that looks fine might be slick or hold water. Use these clues, but make your own decisions.
Practise with low stakes
Start on a wide, gentle trail with few obstacles. Try these simple exercises:
- Ride slowly and name the next three features you will cross before you reach them.
- Pick a line around a patch of leaves or a small root and notice how the bike responds.
- Repeat a short section several times, trying slightly different lines, and see which feels smoothest.
- Progress to more varied terrain only when the easier ground feels routine.
Practising line choice is also part of general line choice and wider mountain bike fundamentals, which look at the broader skills that support it.
Respect the trail and others
Slow down for blind corners, since other riders, walkers or animals may be around. Give way as the local etiquette suggests, which is described under trail etiquette, and stay on marked trails where required. A trail ridden thoughtfully is better for everyone, including you.