Reading the Trail: The Art of Line Selection

If you’ve ever followed a friend’s rear wheel and thought, 'How did they make that look so easy?' - chances are, a big part of it comes down to differences in line selection.

In this week’s video, we dive into one of the most overlooked skills in mountain biking: learning how to spot, choose, and ride the right lines for you - plot twist, the best line isn't always the 'fastest' or 'hardest' one.

Direct vs. Around Lines

Every trail presents two main options:

• Direct lines - usually fast, rough, and often more committing. They’re efficient and flowy if executed well, but they demand more strength, control, and mental conviction.

• Around lines - smoother and more forgiving, ideal for riders dialling in consistency or conserving energy. They often trade a bit of speed for stability and confidence.

The trick isn’t to always choose one over the other - it’s learning to mix and match them to suit the terrain, conditions, and your intentions for the ride.

Weighting, Unweighting, and Grip

Connecting sections of grip and floating over the rougher, more slippery surfaces is an art. In the video we break down how to use micro 'press' and 'unweight' movements to stay controlled through roots and rocks - loading the bike when there’s traction and staying light when the trail gets loose or unpredictable.

This balance is what opens up creative lines that might look impossible or simply 'yuck' at first glance.

Line Choice as a Mindset

Good line selection isn’t just technical - it’s mental too.

Commitment, awareness, and adaptability matter more than memorizing 'the perfect lines.' The best riders use each attempt to learn, experimenting with what feels smoothest and most stable, not just what’s fastest.

My challenge to you: Get playful. See how many different ways you can ride the same feature. That’s how you actually learn line selection.

Where to Next

If this breakdown hit home, we have three line choices or pathways for you:

• Join our free Telegram community – 'Mental About MTB' – where I share weekly riding tips, video analysis, and real coaching insights from the trails. It's an opportunity to get detailed video feedback on your riding and learn from others, for free!
  

• Take the next step with our renowned Full Circle Coaching Program or Global Expeditions - immersive experiences built for strong intermediate and advanced riders ready to unlock their full potential and really live the full experience of Mountain Biking.

The goal? Turn confidence, control, and consistency from something you chase into something that happens naturally through experience. See you on the trails! - Jake