Skip to content
Toggle navigation
XTERRA
  • Race
    • All Race
    • Triathlon
      • All Off-Road Triathlon
      • Find a Race
      • World Championship
      • World Rankings
      • USA Championship
    • Series / Regions
      • World Tour
      • All Tri Tours / Regions
      • Asia-Pacific Tour
      • European Tour
      • Americas
      • Canada
      • Short Track
    • Trail Run
      • All Trail Run
      • Find a Race
      • Trail Marathon Series
    • Coaching
      • Find a Coach
      • Become a Coach
    • Rules & Info
      • Elites Criteria
      • FIND A RACE
  • News & More
    • News
      • All News
      • Tri News
      • Trail News
      • XTERRA Adventures Series
    • Team
      • About XTERRA
      • Hall of Fame
      • Warriors
      • XTERRA ADVENTURES
  • Training
    • XTERRA Training
      • All Training
      • XTERRA 101
      • Certified Coaching
      • Gear Guide
      • Nutrition
  • Customer Service
    • Contact Us
    • Shipping
    • Returns
    • Product Information
    • Race FAQ
  • Shop Login
XTERRA x

Join the XTERRA Family: (Select one or both)

By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe at any time.
  • Search
  • Account
Melanie McQuaid
Training
Dec. 8, 2020

Mel’s Rad Skills Series Part V - Terrain Awareness

By XTERRA
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter

One of the biggest challenges for beginning mountain bikers is focusing too much on what is directly in front of them and not enough on what’s coming up next.

In this edition of Mel’s Rad Skills Series for beginners, three-time XTERRA World Champion Melanie McQuaid talks about terrain awareness and shares some tips for how to get better at it.

“That old expression to ‘always look where you want to go and not where you don’t want to go’ is actually a skill we use in mountain biking,” smiles McQuaid.

To master that skill, she says, we should cycle our gaze between what’s coming up right now immediately in front of us and what’s coming next further down the trail.

“The distance you’re looking when you’re cycling between these two perspectives depends on how fast you’re going,” she explains.  “The NOW is 1-3 seconds in front of you, just enough time to react, brace, brake, whatever you need to do to get through an obstacle.  The NEXT is six-to-eight feet down the trail and this is where you scope out your line.”

McQuaid added that the biggest issue she sees in beginners is over-focusing on the now.

“Don’t underestimate your instincts and reflexes,” she advises. “Instead of micro-managing yourself by only dealing with the now and the obstacle right in front of you, choose your line by looking further down the trail (NEXT) and then micro-adjust to obstacles as they are upon you.”

To practice, McQuaid asks riders to try over-using the now and next gazes to get a feel for what the right amount is for them.

“And remember, the faster you are riding the quicker you’ll need to cycle your gaze between the now and next,” she said.

Learn more about McQuaid, one of XTERRA’s all-time greats and a certified member of the Professional Mountain Bike Instructors Association, at xterraplanet.com/coaches and melrad.com.

Past Videos:

Mel’s Rad Skills Series Part I – Neutral and Ready Positions
Mel’s Rad Skills Series Part II – Standing Front Wheel Lift
Mel’s Rad Skills Series Part III – Standing Rear Wheel Lift
Mel’s Rad Skills Series Part IV – Pedaling Front Wheel Lift

Mel’s Rad Skills Series Part V - Terrain Awareness

Recent NewsView All→

XTERRA Athlete Kate Bramley
Tri News Training
Aug. 4, 2021

XTERRA Training: On & Off-Road with Kate Bramley

Read More
XTERRA Mountain bike help
XTERRA 101 Training

Choosing a Mountain Bike

Read More
xterra masters swimming
XTERRA 101 Training

Masters Swimming

Read More
XTERRA 101 Training

Top Tips for Trail Running

Read More
xterra trail running shoes
XTERRA 101 Training

Choosing Trail Running Shoes

Read More
XTERRA - the saddle bag
XTERRA 101 Training

Saddle Bag Tips

Read More
xterra transition tips
XTERRA 101 Training

Triathlon Transitions Tips

Read More
XTERRA Certified Coach Jim Thijs
Training
July 1, 2021

XTERRA Training for Kids

Read More
XTERRA 101 Training
June 11, 2021

So you want to race off-road triathlon?

Read More
XTERRA Certified Coach Doug Hall
Training
June 3, 2021

The Big Weekender, with XTERRA Coach Doug Hall

Read More
XTERRA News
BROWSE ALL

Join the XTERRA Family: (Select one or both)

By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe at any time.

Stay Connected:

  • Facebook XTERRAplanet (opens in new window)
  • Twitter @xterraplanet (opens in new window)
  • Instagram @xterraplanet (opens in new window)
  • YouTube XTERRAPlanet (opens in new window)
  • Strava XTERRA (opens in new window)

Questions?

  • Contact Us
  • 877-751-8880

Race

  • All Race
  • Find a Race
  • Off-Road Triathlons
  • Trail Run
  • Training
  • Gear Guide

Company

  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Partners
  • News

© XTERRA Sports Unlimited. Privacy Policy   |   Terms & Conditions

Scroll to top