How to be a better rider

[foofighter]

great post guys and gals. almost akin to the "better riding technique" that was posted but this has more to do w/ the psychological hurdles we all deal with on our quest to be better riders.

Keep the input coming!

[.8down]

Originally Posted by el_d00der1n0

Yep, LPQ/DMM is my regular. Where do you guys start?

we start on the Sorrento side, I think there is a black mt side if Im not mistaken...the rides are normally short as we only have roughly and hour, take the main fire road, sometimes we take wagon wheel and hit those single tracks to the water fall(the ones with the 2 bridges, I crashed into the fence once hehe) thats the normal route as we don't have lots of time. I keep wanting to look for the "Tunnels" everyone is talking about but I'm worried I will run out of time...

[Sprockethead]

Originally Posted by el_d00der1n0

How do I get to be a better rider? I want to climb better, descend techy stuff better, and eat 5#!7 a little less. Do I just need to ride more? Does it just take time?

How did you all get better at MTBing?

1. Ride a hardtail first. It'll teach you to be smoother and you'll learn how to pick better lines.

2. Ride with people better than you. You'll learn their lines and push yourself harder.

3. Practice track standing. Learning balance is key to staying on the bike.

4. Lay off the brakes when decending techy stuff. If you must come to a stop before you drop in, do so. Once you're in the rough stuff, try not to brake. Brake once you get out of the rough.

5. Keep riding, the more time you spend on the bike, the more comfortable and stronger you'll be. There's no magic formula to climbing. Time and pushing a harder gear.

[genusmtbkr5]

I agree, good post. At the request of denmother, this is now a "Sticky", but you'll find it here....

http://www.socaltrailriders.org/forum/general-discussion/10596-links-stickys-search-here-general-info-stickys.

....where I put all the other "Stickys"

[allison]

Originally Posted by el_d00der1n0

Daley: Cardiac is a killer. I swear I almost died last time.

Elfin: I could probably climb the way up, but the ledges kill. Going down has it's challenges too. The ledges and the combination of ledges and switchbacks are very challenging for me.

Daley was one of my first trail rides... I *still* can't get past that damn rock. I can climb up to it, stop, and climb all the way to the top from there. One of these days...

[foofighter]

forgot one other crucial thing.

RELAX the ninja death grip on the handlebars! and bend those arms! i still have to remind msyelf to relax and loosen up because i find i ride more "fluid" when i consciously relax the body.

[.8down]

Originally Posted by foofighter

forgot one other crucial thing.

RELAX the ninja death grip on the handlebars! and bend those arms! i still have to remind msyelf to relax and loosen up because i find i ride more "fluid" when i consciously relax the body.

Im master of the ninja death grip

[slowSSer]

well, after all of the advice, there are a few that might belong in the "Racing and training" forum-

for the cardio lacking, don't forget to cross-train- things like running and swimming can boost cardio quickly and without injury- especially swimming

if you're having any sort of body pains that aren't related to crashes or pushing too hard (mind over matter, baby), it maybe the setup of your bike- knee pain can be solved by some simple seat corrections. wrist/forearm pain can be solved by bar setup and/or grips.

also, watch what you eat- you want to be faster on the next STR group intermediate ride and keep up with Gene (sorry, Gene, had to pick someone) who's been getting to the top of the climbs a little faster than you? it could be your diet- get your body used to protein bars (promax are actually quite good) about an hour before your ride. that and a cup of coffee and some water, and by the time you get to the traihead, you'll be ready to smoke Gene.

also, the night before that big ride, dont go carb-heavy- the carb heavy meal should be two days before the big ride. if the ride is saturday, then thursday night is the pasta and garlic bread night (with some chicken, of course), but friday night is mainly protein.

also- it can't be mentioned enough: hydrate......and dont forget to have fun- if its not fun, it's not worth doing.

my advice isn't the same as other posts on here, as most of the good advice has been mentioned, but if you're serious about getting better, these can help.

[el_d00der1n0]

Originally Posted by .8down

Im master of the ninja death grip

Me too. bjammin suggested putting the thumbs on top of the bars to loosen the grip. It's helped on the techy climbs.

[genusmtbkr5]

Thanks Ethan. Trust me, On some of the rides Ive been on, I have to chase guys too.

[slowSSer]

Originally Posted by genusmtbkr5

Thanks Ethan. Trust me, On some of the rides Ive been on, I have to chase guys too.

kinda like our leap-frogging in last years CC? jeez- how many times did we do that? 4? 5?

[.8down]

Originally Posted by slowSSer

well, after all of the advice, there are a few that might belong in the "Racing and training" forum-

for the cardio lacking, don't forget to cross-train- things like running and swimming can boost cardio quickly and without injury- especially swimming

if you're having any sort of body pains that aren't related to crashes or pushing too hard (mind over matter, baby), it maybe the setup of your bike- knee pain can be solved by some simple seat corrections. wrist/forearm pain can be solved by bar setup and/or grips.

also, watch what you eat- you want to be faster on the next STR group intermediate ride and keep up with Gene (sorry, Gene, had to pick someone) who's been getting to the top of the climbs a little faster than you? it could be your diet- get your body used to protein bars (promax are actually quite good) about an hour before your ride. that and a cup of coffee and some water, and by the time you get to the traihead, you'll be ready to smoke Gene.

also, the night before that big ride, dont go carb-heavy- the carb heavy meal should be two days before the big ride. if the ride is saturday, then thursday night is the pasta and garlic bread night (with some chicken, of course), but friday night is mainly protein.

also- it can't be mentioned enough: hydrate......and dont forget to have fun- if its not fun, it's not worth doing.

my advice isn't the same as other posts on here, as most of the good advice has been mentioned, but if you're serious about getting better, these can help.

EATING right is the hardest part of mt. biking.

[slowSSer]

Originally Posted by .8down

EATING right is the hardest part of mt. biking.

...beer is a food group, right?

[nappyt]

Originally Posted by .8down

we start on the Sorrento side, I think there is a black mt side if Im not mistaken...the rides are normally short as we only have roughly and hour, take the main fire road, sometimes we take wagon wheel and hit those single tracks to the water fall(the ones with the 2 bridges, I crashed into the fence once hehe) thats the normal route as we don't have lots of time. I keep wanting to look for the "Tunnels" everyone is talking about but I'm worried I will run out of time...

Tunnels us directly north of the baseball fields at the RB end. I don't think you could make it to the Tunnels and back out in an hour. Just guessing since you say you only make it to the falls and back in an hour from the SV end.

Getting a group to do all of LPQ and DMM on Saturday if you can make it.
San Diego:LPQ @ 9AM (Starting at the BB fields)

[osmarandsara]

My biggest challenges were always big drops and ledges on down-slopping sections of trails.... riding with people better than me has helped my technical riding immensely, probably because they have taken me on trails that I did not think were even possible to ride.....after always falling way behind during our group rides I would go back to the trail by myself to "dial" the hard sections and develop the confidence to ride them confidently and in control.......

But probably learning how to put my body down low behind the seat was the key for me.....since I learned to do that I have not gone over the bars.....knock on wood..

[ezzyride]

Just keep riding and don't give up. Keep going back until you clear whatever it is you want to clear. Keep in mind we all have different goals. Keep working on your goals and you will get there. Patience is key and so is determination.

Like just say to yourself once I clear that steep arse hill - I get a new IronHorse.

Also it helps riding with people that don't let you get off your bike. I'll never be fast not concerned about it. Never been athletic and not concerned about it. It's also doesn't help when your not competitive. I enjoy watching the faster riders and people clean uphills. Your legs are less sore too when your watching others do it (I am kidding).

One thing that helps me is watching the more experienced riders and how they master stuff. I believe you learn alot by watching the other riders.

It's all for fun and enjoy it!

Don't worry about when you will get better just focus on your next ride.

Enjoy the fast riders and enjoy YOUR ride.

You must join us on one of Pugz rides - there are several people on his ride that have strong determination to improve riding, conditioning and mastering the uphills. It's also cool to watch the fast riders patiently wait for everyone. This Sunday Pugz and I rode up this hill without stopping we were happy it was a good day.

Just be patient!

Remember we are our stongest critics - I am sure your a good strong rider.

Keep it simple.

Thanks for starting this thread.

-Elvia

[.8down]

Originally Posted by slowSSer

...beer is a food group, right?

I believe it falls under grains...actually I heard that the whole beer gut is a myth, and that you get the gut from the foods you eat with beer. most people are eating really unhealthy when drinking beer. Theres no fat in beer, just calories...this is from Manswers on spike TV.

Originally Posted by ezzyride

Like just say to yourself once I clear that steep arse hill - I get a new IronHorse.

wow, if someone else gets me an Iron Horse every time I cleaned a climb Im there!!!!

[slowSSer]

Originally Posted by .8down

I believe it falls under grains...actually I heard that the whole beer gut is a myth, and that you get the gut from the foods you eat with beer. most people are eating really unhealthy when drinking beer. Theres no fat in beer, just calories...this is from Manswers on spike TV.

awesome. I'm going on a liquid diet now.