Simon Pavey, you know, the bloke who rode the Paris Dakar a few times, he taught me to stand up (at great expense). You could also take a look at people who've done a bit of off roading like Dougie Lampkin. It isn't the awful seat or any embarrassing lack of fibre in their diet that makes them stand up you know
It's not the be all and end all of off road riding but in terms of getting your weight in the right place and getting some stability off road I think we can safely say it works (and is probably the biggest step in that direction short of getting a sidecar). It's the second thing they teach you on the off road courses, (picking the bike up is first), it lowers the acting centre of gravity as the load acts on the pegs not the seat and stays there.
Imagine balancing a bowling ball on your head as you walk, that's your bum on the seat. Now take the ball in both hands and raise it above your head. It's more stable because despite going higher the load is via your lower, wider shoulders. Your legs of course are better at this sort of thing that your arms.
Andy
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