The best riding advice?

[KeepsWhatHappens]

Originally Posted by Mudman

Jason,

any tips and pointers wouldn't be boring to a person that wants to learn. Please do go into detail about Brake control and what not. With me being new to Mountain biking, I will take anything I can get as long as its useful information.

If this gets enough comments as a thread I think all the really good points should be taken and put into a "beginners bible" type of thing for STR members.

Maybe this thread should become "sticky?"

KeepsWhatHappens

[jeffj]

I like to follow better riders and study their line choices and body positioning. Lots of times riders don't even realize what they do, they just do it (and I watch and learn). It also gives me confidence to see others do it. Many times, I figure that if they can do it, so can I (not all the time though ).

[amor587]

Make every ride a fun ride!

[DDB@OCR]

"If you can't cut the mustard?, don't think yer gonna lick the bowl". - My dad (it means 'don't ride over your head, ya dumbass').

"Only an idiot blames his equipment"- My dad, again, as I was cussing my bike one day.

"Luck is the residue of your efforts". - Don Garlits (applies to everything).

"Take a big dump before the race."
"Train with others faster than you." - My coach.

"When in doubt, GAS IT." - some crusty old desert racer (works 99 out of 100 times too).

[2wheel_lee]

Originally Posted by jeffj

I like to follow better riders and study their line choices and body positioning. Lots of times riders don't even realize what they do, they just do it (and I watch and learn). It also gives me confidence to see others do it. Many times, I figure that if they can do it, so can I (not all the time though ).

This is so true! I still do this. While relearning how to ride DH, I've had to relearn what a bike is capable of riding over. And following Jason (jfromlv) and other pros, such as Aaron Potter, has been a tremedous help. Once you see how fast someone can go over something it's a lot easier to replicate the speed vs. trying to figure out the peak speed of a section the hard way.

However, be careful. As another poster mentioned, sometimes a line that appears more difficult can actually be easier. But in some cases, there may be an extremely difficult part of that line for some people, but easier for others. I've had people follow me because they assumed I was taking the faster line. Although I may have been, that line may include a difficult tech section. Other times, I may be taking that line to hit a rock for no other reason than to hit the rock. Although I'm usually aiming for something to launch off of. I'm rambling...

Originally Posted by DDB@OCR

"If you can't cut the mustard?, don't think yer gonna lick the bowl". - My dad (it means 'don't ride over your head, ya dumbass').

"Train with others faster than you." - My coach.

These contradict each other.

If you don't ride at 110% of your ability, you'll never get any better. In other words do what you can't, not just what you can.

[DDB@OCR]

"Train all out on the climbs, 70% on decents. Why risk stacking up your body and bike a week before a big race?." (peeps asked my why I was backing way off on decents during XC training sessions and trail-rides)

"Don't go balls out on strange trails, esp in remote areas, cuz that's a great way to end up in a predator's stomach or the hospital."

-Me.

Originally Posted by 2wheel_lee

These contradict each other.

If you don't ride at 110% of your ability, you'll never get any better. In other words do what you can't, not just what you can.

Um- no, .......no they don't.

There is a huge difference between training with others faster (read STRONGER) than you, and, riding over your head.

The two are not even remotely related.

[2wheel_lee]

Originally Posted by DDB@OCR

Um- no, .......no they don't.

There is a huge differance between training with others faster (read STRONGER) than you and riding over your head.

The two are not even remotely related.

Our state of minds regarding this are different. From your last post (mentioning focus on the climbs, not the decents) shows you're thinking of training for XC climbing and racing, which doesn't require technical skills, but focuses on stamina. My frame of mind is training for technical skills and DH racing, which means if you're riding with people who are faster than you, you're probably riding over your head at least a little bit.

Originally Posted by DDB@OCR

"Train all out on the climbs, 70% on decents. Why risk stacking up your body and bike a week before a big race?."

For DH racing, you really want to focus on the decents. Although there is value training climbing hills.

[DDB@OCR]

Originally Posted by 2wheel_lee

Our state of minds regarding this are different. From your last post (mentioning focus on the climbs, not the decents) shows you're thinking of training for XC climbing and racing, 1- which doesn't require technical skills, but focuses on stamina. My frame of mind is training for technical skills and DH racing, which means if you're riding with people who are faster than you, you're probably riding over your head at least a little bit.

1- WTF?!



Good one.

[LBmtb]

This could end up being a valuable sticky, keep the great advice coming!

[DDB@OCR]

Originally Posted by 2wheel_lee

For DH racing, you really want to focus on the decents. Although there is value training climbing hills.

You took me out of context..see my entire post.
Some of my buds have shown up at the line sporting stiches and bent up bikes.

[2wheel_lee]

Originally Posted by DDB@OCR

You took me out of context..see my entire post.
Some of my buds have shown up at the line sporting stiches and bent up bikes.

That was my point. I initially read your post out of context. And when you replied, you were still in your context (XC), and I was in mine (technical/DH). I simply replied to the post looking at things from a different perspective.

It's not hard to bend up a 22 pound bike. And when you're not wearing much for bodily protection (because it's generally not needed), the need for stitches comes easily. Sorry, but other than the athleticism needed for XC racing, it's really not that hardcore, and it's especially not that dangerous (hence the lack of body armor).

But this thread is not meant to be XC vs. DH, so can we drop this direction?

[Evil Chocula]

This is a great thread .

Mechman- could you list out a few more of those drills?

Originally Posted by mechmann

2. don't underestimate the power of simple drills. several people have mentioned simple drills (curbs, figure 8's etc), and these simple drills can be the key to unlocking much harder things on the bike. if they become second nature then when you are on the trail you can use them at will. the most important one i can think of would be track standing... but i am by no means exceptionally skilled at them!

[queenwilhelmina]

Originally Posted by ChumbaJason

If I only listened to my own advice...

It was Curtis's advice! Remember, he was like "Hey Jason, be careful on that jump..."


Now for my advice:

[SIZE=3]VISUALIZATION:[/SIZE] Visualize yourself rolling the hard stuff, railing the turns, landing the jump, etc.

Jason and I have talked about this a lot and both agree that IT WORKS. Keep that image in your head at all times and DON'T EVER think about crashing or YOU WILL!!!

This can be applied to so many other things in life too...

[RacinJason]

And my own advice when Justin tore off his finger at Elsinore . Yuck

Curtis did say something also.
That jump was old news to me well before it changed.
I was going way way to fast.

Originally Posted by queenwilhelmina

It was Curtis's advice! Remember, he was like "Hey Jason, be careful on that jump..."


Now for my advice:

[SIZE=3]VISUALIZATION:[/SIZE] Visualize yourself rolling the hard stuff, railing the turns, landing the jump, etc.

Jason and I have talked about this a lot and both agree that IT WORKS. Keep that image in your head at all times and DON'T EVER think about crashing or YOU WILL!!!

This can be applied to so many other things in life too...

Does it work with the lady's? ha ha J/K
You know I mean you sweetie.

I see myself taking a vacation .
Is it working?

Originally Posted by queenwilhelmina

It was Curtis's advice! Remember, he was like "Hey Jason, be careful on that jump..."


Now for my advice:

[SIZE=3]VISUALIZATION:[/SIZE] Visualize yourself rolling the hard stuff, railing the turns, landing the jump, etc.

Jason and I have talked about this a lot and both agree that IT WORKS. Keep that image in your head at all times and DON'T EVER think about crashing or YOU WILL!!!

This can be applied to so many other things in life too...

[allison]

Originally Posted by queenwilhelmina

[SIZE=3]VISUALIZATION[/SIZE]

Many racers say this as well for race courses (probably specifically DH). I think Nancy and/or Roger mentioned it recently...

Get the course in your head and imagine yourself riding it.. fast.

[sdyeti]

Oh, I forgot my other favorite one:

"Don't be a sheep" -Steve Peat

I love challenging Dan to track standing competitions...that is a highly useful skill!

Originally Posted by mechmann

wheelies, manuals, bunny hops, figure 8's, nose wheelies/stoppies, trackstanding, trackstanding and hopping 180's/360s, curb drills (like lee said), skinny drills (ride on the edge of a curb).

there are probably lots more, can't think of them now. most can be done in any parking lot or dirt lot or while waiting during regroups.

[Evil Chocula]

Originally Posted by sdyeti

Oh
I love challenging Dan to track standing competitions...

I'm calling for a Dan/Steph track off at our next ride!

[DirtRider]

[SIZE=4]Don't punish or speak badly about your MTN bike for being 2 pounds overweight!! Its not her fault...[/SIZE]
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