Cornering is one of those things that looks simple until you try to do it right — fast, smooth, and controlled.
I recently spent a skills session with Riley focusing on exactly that: corners and off-cambers. What followed was a morning of practical drills, a few “aha” moments, and some seriously satisfying progression.
We kept it real — not by the book, just riding and adjusting as we went. That’s how I like to teach: out on real trails, with real-time feedback and a flow that builds naturally. I use helmet coms to chat with riders as we go, and video review to highlight the small stuff that makes a big difference.
Dusty’s combination of a people-first, practical approach, in-helmet coms, video footage for review, and a broken-down approach of the skill being tackled — your riding can’t not improve!
By the end of the session, what started as a harsh, on-off braking struggle had turned into something way more fluid and confident. We finished the morning with full line runs, stitching it all together — and I could see the difference straight away. That’s what these sessions are all about: small changes, big results.
Dusty’s Go-To Cornering Tips
Here are some key things I always look out for:
1.Look Where You Want to Go
Eyes through the turn — it sounds simple, but it changes everything. Your head leads your body, and your body leads your bike.
2. Brake Before the Turn
Scrub speed before you commit. Braking mid-turn kills flow and can wash out your front wheel. Come in under control, and exit with speed.
3. Lean the Bike, Not Just Your Body
You want separation — your bike leans into the turn while your upper body stays more upright. This keeps traction on point and lets the tires grip where it counts.
4. Drop That Outside Foot
Put weight through your outside pedal and push into the turn. It helps bite into the dirt and gives you more stability through off-camber and loose corners.
5. Stay Relaxed
Tense arms and shoulders mess with your balance. Loosen up, trust the process, and let the bike move beneath you.
Watch the full lesson below:
From the first corner to the final run, it was night and day. Dusty helped turn sketchy, unsure riding into something confident and smooth — and the best part is, it all felt natural. I left that day feeling like a better rider, full stop.
– Riley
Head over to my skills page to book your own sesh!
– Dusty
