Comfort becomes key on long relentless winding descents to get maximum enjoyment.

1. Correct set up

Adjust suspension to about 30% sag while rebound should be fast enough so your fork and shock don’t pack down over repetitive bumps.

Long descents usually mean you won’t be pedalling uphill for some time, so take a moment to drop your seat.  Having your seat lower will make it easier to both slide your weight back and move around on the bike without getting hooked up on the saddle.

Position your brake levers to form a straight line from elbow to fingertip in riding position.

2. Brakes off

You’ll be using both brakes, so don’t forget that the front is the most powerful stopper, but go easy with those levers – locking up a wheel and skidding is not an effective way of controlling your speed, and it helps water erosion to destroy trails.

Try not to drag brakes down the straights as they can impact on the effectiveness of your suspension and may overheat causing brake fade, when your brakes suddenly cease to work because the hydraulic fluid becomes too hot causing you to lose braking power when you need it most.

3. Ride stable

Ride with your cranks horizontal to provide a stable platform. Everyone has a foot they prefer to have leading when freewheeling, but swap them about during the descent to use different muscles and give others a rest.

Throughout the descent, stand with your body weight slightly behind the saddle. This will help keep your centre of gravity low and rearwards, giving the bike more stability, keeping your forks from diving and stopping the angle of descent from feeling over-steep.

Gain extra control by pushing down with your heels on long descents. With the bike already pointing downhill, this will give you a more secure platform to push against and give your calf muscles an easier time. Keep ankles flexed to absorb trail vibration.

4. Ride safe

If you’re tired and the trail gets tough, this can affect your riding, so stop and take a break.  Keep hydrated but if you’re using a hydration pack make sure you can see far enough ahead while drinking.

To pad or not to pad, that is the question. With the advent of lightweight pads, there’s little reason not to wear protection: knee, elbow and shin protection won’t stop you breaking limbs but will help prevent serious skin damage in the event of a fall. Today’s pads are lightweight, relying on EVA foam or neoprene for their cushioning properties, and often come with a hard-plastic shell to ward off knocks. Be prepared to sling them on your backpack for the climbs; and spend an extra couple of minutes getting padded up at the top.