Riding rocks, roots and through water, sounds like a normal day out on the trails for all of us. Each have their own straightforward technique and there are some useful tips.

(video courtesy of bike skills)

• Riding rocks is about choosing your line, keeping your pedals flat whilst maintaining momentum, staying loose and keeping your head positioned where you want the bike to go  (i.e ahead).
• If you need to lift over a rock on downs or flat and have some speed then stay butt out the saddle, pull back slightly on your handlebars and your front wheel will rise over and your back wheel will follow.
• On ups it helps to keep seated, then get your pedal up with your strong foot ready before the rock and preload your suspension by leaning forward. Then pull back on your handlebars just as you go over it and manually forcing pressure down on your pedals. Your body weight has moved back.  As your front wheel lifts and you move over the rock, pedal firmly and shift your body weight forward and your back wheel will follow. Helps to be in a gear that is not too low so you have traction for the lift.

• For roots, try not  to turn the wheel whilst on them as here there is minimal traction. Pushing down on your front forks and letting them rebound naturally up as you go over the root will help make it a smoother and less bumpy journey.

• For water then make sure it isn't too deep. Keep out of the saddle so you can react quickly, keep loose and your head ahead.