Like a gymnast on a balance beam you scream down the narrow single-track.  Thick brush and small trees line the sides of your pathway of fate.  You struggle to maintain your balance as you reach a near uncontrollable speed.  Your emotions twitching from pure exhilaration to complete panic and fear.

If you’ve ever experienced mountainboarding a single-track you know that there is only so much to do to control your ride.  As soon as you drop in you are at the mercy of the track.  If it drops steep, so do you.  If it curves hard to the left, then you better do the same.  If a boulder or a log covers a portion of the track then you better figure something out quick.

There is little that can be offered in terms of advise to those mountainboarding single-tracks.  Brakes are obviously helpful, but if you are looking to actually “ride” the track, then they’re out of the question.  This lack of options is what attracts many of the riders of the forbidden single-track. 

Speed management is one of the biggest obstacles you’ll face.   The option to carve is out the window on most single-tracks, but depending on your surrounding terrain you might be able to use it.  If the track is carved into the ground, you might be able to rub the edges to slow your descent.  Brush or tall grass can be used to slow yourself by simply running your arms through it to provide drag.  Watch out for stationary objects if you try this; you don’t want to wrap your arm around a tree.

If after looking at the severe lack of options you still decide to mountainboard a single-track, then buckle your helmet and get ready for a rush. Stay focused or you’ll lose your balance and tweak out.  Mountainboarding is always full of split-second decisions, single-tracks just make it a smaller split-second. Keep your eye on that track, it’s the key to your fate- good or bad. 

Single tracks, insanely steep drops, unknown terrain…  Great places for a handbrake right?  Wrong, if you’re part of the ninety percent that responded to a recent mountainboard survey entitled, “Do You Use Brakes?”  This logic can easily be confused by a non-believer in the no brakes philosophy.  Each of us have our own reason for ditching the brake but all seem to share a common theme, freedom.

Some mountainboarders avoid the handbrakes because they feel that they become too dependant on them.  While there are many brake-users that feel they have found the right balance, there are also many who haven’t.  It’s very easy to get accustomed to squeezing down on the brakes in order to stay in your comfort zone.  Those who become a slave to their brakes not only forfeit their freedom but there ability to progress as quickly.

There are other riders that use brakes as beginners in order to learn the basics.  This might be helpful to some but it’s more of a matter of how you view mountainboarding.  If you see it as what the ninety percent see it as, then you might argue that the basics of mountainboarding start with the fact that brakes are not part of the package.  To them it’s like fishing in a fish tank- where’s the sport in that. 

Still there are others who feel that by attatching a brake to their mountainboard they lose a certain element of style.  Having to battle with the cable as you crash through low brush or drop your stance.  They feel that it robs them of the simplicity, the flow, and the thrill of the ride.

There are many reasons why the ninety percent choose to say ”no,” to brakes.  In the end, it seems they just want to feel free.  There’s something inside that tells them to let go and to ride hard.  It’s not a wreckless death wish, it’s more of a plea from the soul to find oneself.  There’s a very unique thrill to be found in depending on your skills and your instinct alone as you ride.  Decide for yourself.