Jan. 5, 2021
In this week’s training video spotlight five-time XTERRA age group world champion Mimi Stockton shows us how to ratchet pedals to keep control of our mountain bike at slow speeds.
“Ratcheting is the art of partially rotating pedal strokes to keep forward momentum while using proper breaking technique to maintain speed control,” she explains.
In the video, Stockton demonstrates how it is done by starting with her feet in the power position between 1 and 2 o’clock, moving the pedal forward to the 3 or 4 o’clock position, and then back up again.
“It’s a great skill to learn, and an even better one to master because it’ll help you keep your balance in tight switchbacks and other situations, so you won’t need to stop, dismount, and get on and off your bike,” she says. “You can practice ratcheting skills anywhere by using cones or rocks to simulate switchbacks.”
Stockton is an XTERRA Coach and partner at Next Level Endurance. Connect with Mimi or find an XTERRA Coach near you at www.xterraplanet.com/coaches.
