Line Selection Tips
The Art of Reading Terrain
Visual Scanning Technique
The 3-Look Method:
- Far Look (50+ feet ahead)
- Overall terrain assessment
- Major obstacles
- General direction
- Speed adjustment
- Middle Look (15-30 feet)
- Specific line choice
- Obstacle preparation
- Body position setup
- Gear selection
- Near Look (5-10 feet)
- Fine adjustments
- Exact placement
- Current execution
- Immediate hazards
Terrain Analysis
Surface Indicators:
- Color Changes: Different traction
- Dust/Polish: High traffic areas
- Vegetation: Moisture/stability
- Shadows: Hidden obstacles
- Tracks: Previous attempts
Red Flags:
- Shiny rocks (slippery)
- Dark soil (soft/deep)
- No tracks (reason?)
- Broken parts visible
- Erosion patterns
Line Types and Selection
The Main Line
Characteristics:
- Most worn path
- Usually safest
- Proven successful
- May be rutted
- Good default choice
When to Use:
- First attempt
- Unknown terrain
- Group rides
- Bad weather
- Fatigue setting in
When to Avoid:
- Deeply rutted
- Washed out
- Blocked/damaged
- Too crowded
- Better option visible
The Fresh Line
Advantages:
- Better traction
- Less worn
- No ruts
- Surprise factor
- Often faster
Disadvantages:
- Unknown hazards
- No proof of success
- May dead-end
- Vegetation damage
- Higher risk
The Hero Line
Definition:
- Most difficult option
- Maximum challenge
- High consequence
- Bragging rights
- Often unnecessary
Decision Factors:
- Skill level honest
- Bike condition
- Energy reserves
- Consequences
- Group pressure (ignore)
Specific Terrain Line Selection
Rock Gardens
Line Priorities:
- Smoothest path
- Biggest gaps
- Flattest rocks
- Momentum maintenance
- Exit strategy
Visual Cues:
- Tire marks on rocks
- Scraped surfaces
- Oil stains
- Broken rock edges
- Natural ramps
Pro Tips:
- Use rock edges for traction
- Avoid V-notches
- Look for connecting points
- Plan 3 rocks ahead
- Have escape route
Hill Climbs
Bottom Section:
- Straightest approach
- Best momentum build
- Clear of loose debris
- Away from erosion
- Good sight lines
Middle Section:
- Maintain momentum line
- Avoid deepest ruts
- Use terrain features
- Consider traction patches
- Plan for obstacles
Top Section:
- Commit to line
- Watch for kick-outs
- Clear the crest
- Safe run-out
- Celebration zone
Mud and Water
Mud Lines:
- Look for grass edges
- Higher ground
- Previous successful tracks
- Shortest distance
- Firm bottom
Water Crossings:
- Upstream angle
- Rocky bottom preferred
- Avoid deep pools
- Watch for current
- Exit point critical
Sand Washes
Line Strategy:
- Outside berms
- Momentum critical
- Avoid deepest sand
- Use hard edges
- Straight as possible
Speed Management:
- Carry momentum
- Higher gear
- Smooth power
- No sudden moves
- Commit fully
Advanced Line Reading
The Economy Line
Concept:
- Minimum energy expenditure
- Maximum efficiency
- Sustainable pace
- Long-ride thinking
- Smart not hard
Application:
- Choose smoother over shorter
- Avoid unnecessary obstacles
- Maintain momentum
- Save energy for difficulties
- Think marathon not sprint
The Recovery Line
Purpose:
- After mistakes
- Energy conservation
- Regroup mentally
- Bike preservation
- Confidence rebuild
Characteristics:
- Easier than normal
- Clear of hazards
- Good visibility
- Multiple options
- Low consequence
The Wet Weather Line
Changes Everything:
- Avoid clay/mud
- Rock becomes slippery
- Roots are ice
- Camber critical
- Brake early
New Priorities:
- Traction over speed
- Uphill momentum
- Careful downhills
- Wide berth
- Escape routes
Mental Aspects
Commitment Level
Full Commitment Required:
- Chosen line is best
- No mid-line changes
- Trust your decision
- Execute completely
- Doubt causes problems
When to Abort:
- Obvious danger ahead
- Line blocked
- Better option appears
- Mechanical issue
- Physical limitation
Visualization
Pre-Ride Visualization:
- Walk the section
- Identify key points
- Mental rehearsal
- Body position plan
- Speed visualization
On-Bike Visualization:
- Quick scan
- Choose line
- See yourself succeeding
- Commit to plan
- Execute smoothly
Pressure Management
Group Pressure:
- Ride your ride
- Ignore peer pressure
- No shame in walking
- Your bike, your risk
- Live to ride tomorrow
Self Pressure:
- Honest assessment
- Progressive building
- Celebrate small wins
- Learn from mistakes
- Enjoy the process
Common Line Selection Mistakes
Mistake: Following Blindly
Fix: Always assess yourself
Mistake: Target Fixation
Fix: Look where you want to go
Mistake: Indecision
Fix: Choose and commit
Mistake: Ego Lines
Fix: Ride within ability
Mistake: No Escape Plan
Fix: Always have an out
Mistake: Ignoring Conditions
Fix: Adapt to current state
Utah-Specific Considerations
Altitude Effects
Above 8,000 feet:
- Power reduction
- Fatigue faster
- Conservative lines
- More rest needed
- Hydration critical
Unique Surfaces
Slickrock:
- Trust the grip
- Smooth lines
- Avoid water streaks
- Use natural features
- Momentum helpful
Decomposed Granite:
- Loose like sand
- Fresh lines better
- Avoid deep sections
- Speed helps
- Dust indicates loose
Crypto Soil:
- Stay on trail
- Extremely fragile
- Heavy penalties
- Dark crusty appearance
- Recovery decades
Practice Exercises
Static Analysis
Parking Lot Setup:
- Create obstacle course
- Walk and plan lines
- Identify 3 options each
- Discuss with others
- Test theories
Dynamic Practice
Trail Segments:
- Ride same section
- Try different lines
- Time each attempt
- Note energy used
- Find optimal
Video Analysis
Record Yourself:
- Mount camera
- Ride sections
- Review choices
- Identify improvements
- Apply lessons
Equipment Effects on Lines
Suspension Setup
Soft Setup:
- Can handle rougher
- More line options
- Rock gardens easier
- Less precision needed
Stiff Setup:
- Requires smoother lines
- Better for fast sections
- More selective
- Precision critical
Tire Choice
Knobby Tires:
- Loose surface lines
- Dig for traction
- Mud capability
- Standard choice
Trials Tire:
- Rock specialist
- Different lines possible
- Slow speed traction
- Technical advantage
Bike Modifications
Steering Damper:
- Allows rougher lines
- High-speed stability
- Less fatigue
- More options
Larger Tank:
- Changes balance
- Affects line choice
- Consider in technical
- Plan accordingly
Environmental Responsibility
Sustainable Lines
Choose Lines That:
- Minimize erosion
- Avoid vegetation
- Respect trail design
- Prevent widening
- Consider runoff
Avoid:
- Creating new lines
- Cutting switchbacks
- Sensitive areas
- Wet soil damage
- Wildlife disturbance
Summary
Line selection is the chess game of hard enduro. Key principles:
- Look ahead - The further the better
- Have options - Never just one line
- Match ability - Ego has no place
- Commit fully - Doubt creates danger
- Learn constantly - Every ride teaches
The best line isn’t always obvious, fastest, or easiest. It’s the one that gets you through safely while preserving energy and equipment for the next challenge.
Remember: The mountain doesn’t care about your ego. Choose lines that match your current ability, conditions, and energy level. The goal is to finish the ride smiling, not prove something that results in injury or breakdown.
Mountain Goat Sports offers guided rides focusing on line selection skills, helping you read Utah’s unique terrain like a local.