DH Skills Clinics

Thanks all for the interest, I'll e-mail back with utmost immediacy so we can get everyone moving downhill at a greater rate of velocity and control ASAP

 

I think I might join you guys if there is room. I realized I need help last weekend.:lol:

 

so did I. I feel fast and all, but not necessarily in control all the time. plus, looking at pictures, I'm way to high up on the bike, not leaning into turns enough blah blah blah blah...

 

Way too high? Aren't you like 6'6"? Of course you're way up there!

Actually, not only people who feel they are "out of control" could benefit from a good instructor - anybody could benefit. Even many of the top pros have coaches to help them ride better. While a person may be very fast and in control, they can benefit from someone else watching and making comments on what the rider is doing and how they can do things better.

If I were seriously pursuing DH racing, I'd definately look into working with a good instructor to improve my riding. Yes, I know that I have a lot of areas that could use improvement.

 

TrojanInsomiac, Bryguy and Mudman, Julia12 would like to join you on this. Please keep us updated as to when you will be participating.

 

yeah...it's hard to get the right combination of flickability and fit for me. damn weird body proportions...

does this mean Julia will have a sweet new DH bike to ride?

 

Bryguy17,

It can be very difficult to find a bike that fits when you are that tall; in light of that, don't be afraid to use a decently amount longer stem than normal and higher bars- don't fall victim to the current cult of low bars and super-short stem instigated by one World Cup rider for whom it happens to work well... it won't work well for someone of your dimensions.

Hope to see you out on the clinic!

 

yeah. part of the problem isn't just tall, it's wierdly proportioned. I'm 6'6" with a 33" inseam. all torso. it's a pain sometimes...

granted, I wouldn't mind going with a longer stem for fit, but handling-wise, I really don't want to go longer than 50mm. I've always liked my bikes kinda twitchy. Also, it's not necessarily easy finding bars that work either. Higher rise would be cool, but finding higher rise with the extra width is tricky as well (dirty thirties are 25mm rise, I'm running sunlines with 19mm rise now)

anyway, it's something worth discussing in person, so I'll remember to ask in whatever clinic.

 

Long Torso 2

I'm 6'4" with a 33" inseam - similar problem. I run a 120mm stem on a Yeti 575 with a Fox 36 TALAS. I absolutely love it for most riding. I'm pretty fast downhill, but I want to do this clinic so I can pin the corners (and catch some air).

 

haha my biggest issue is learning to look ahead, switchbacks and turns. Oh and my bike is almost never setup correctly... :lol:
This is not an excuse- I'd still crash either way.

 

What a Blast

Thanks Julius for a great clinic on a hot day. I really appreciated the tips, advice and encouragement. It was great to do things out of my comfort zone. I can highly recommend this clinic to anyone looking to go beyond the trail riding they are currently doing, or to any good DHer looking to get better. To quote one of the very good local DHers, "He's so damn smooth!" He wasn't referring to me. :clap::beer::bang:

Perhaps you should post this in "Adrenaline Factory" next time.

 

Julius, my bike is back with a new rear triangle. I'm ready. When's a good weekend?

 

bump. Update?

 

So the rear was too soft, if I remember correctly someone mentioned that when he tried out your bike last time he saw you , no wonder the rear triangle broke, that thing was bottom out machine... (I'm not sure if that's actually what happened but just a guess)

I'll shoot you an e-mail, how's this coming Saturday sound?

Clinics for next Saturday the 22nd are open. E-mail me at [email protected] if interested.

 

I sent you an email julius. not sure whether this saturday will work, but I think someone mentioned the 20th of december?

keep us posted :beer:

 

Since there is practice at Fontana on Saturday for the race on Sunday, having a skills class on actual race conditions would be really helpful! Learn on Saturday, win on Sunday!

 

nah, its a well documented problem that specialized had to fix. they removed too much material from the triangle and they were prone to cracking. it was already cracked when i got it because i dont think id ever bottomed it.

 

If thats the case I would be interested if not it will have to be another time.

 

Please do not waste your money. I can give you a Dh clinic for free. Just dont do what I do, and you will be fine.

 

Hey Mark I can do saturday also>>>

I need to improve my skills....Less carnage:-k