What’s a Berm in Mountain Biking?

Mountain biking is a great way to explore the outdoors and get some exercise. One of the most important aspects of mountain biking is learning how to navigate terrain and different obstacles. One of these obstacles is called a berm, which is a banked turn that helps riders to maintain their speed while cornering.

Berm turns are created by building up dirt or other material in order to create a banking effect. This allows riders to take the corner at faster speeds, since they don’t have to slow down as much as when going around a regular corner. The banked turn also helps riders maintain control over their bikes, as it provides more grip on the surface of the trail.

The angle of the berm can vary depending on the terrain and how it was constructed. Generally, berms have an angle between 4 and 16 degrees, though there are cases where they can be steeper or shallower depending on the skill level of the rider and what type of bike they’re riding.

Berms can also be used strategically in order to provide an extra challenge for experienced riders. For instance, berms can be designed with jumps incorporated into them in order to give riders an extra thrill when taking corners at high speeds.

In addition to providing an exciting challenge for experienced mountain bikers, berms can also help novice riders become comfortable with taking tight corners at higher speeds. By riding through berms at slower speeds first, newbies can gradually increase their speed and confidence until they feel comfortable taking corners quickly without fear of losing control of their bike.

Overall, berms are an important obstacle for all levels of mountain bikers and provide an exciting challenge for experienced riders while helping novice riders build confidence and skill on their bikes.

Conclusion: A berm is an important obstacle for mountain bikers that helps them navigate tight corners at higher speeds while maintaining control over their bikes. Berms can range in angle from 4-16 degrees depending on the terrain and how it was built, and experienced riders can use them strategically in order to add extra challenges like jumps into their ride. Berms are beneficial for both novice and experienced mountain bikers alike, providing a safe way to learn how to handle tight corners while also giving experienced riders something thrilling to tackle during their ride.

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Jennifer Watson