My new year's resolution is to work on my DH skills.:read: I can take downhills at a decent speed, but I'd like to go a little faster. I'm open to all suggestions.
I hear that Ned Overend book is the thing to read in order to polish up your skills. Soon as I get a sec I'll order a copy :read:
DON"T touch the brakes. I found what works for me is to (I know this is against every fiber of your being) doing some shuttles. Take the harder ones. I persoonally like Tunnel/Cold Springs, but if that's to far you could do The Gab a few times. Or another but the shuttle is worth it, would be Trabuco.
• believe and trust in your bikes suspension • look ahead and focus on the line you want to take • have a firm grip on the bars, but dont tense up • keep your momentum going through sections you might want to slow down on • dont lock up your brakes, learn how to modulate them • lean back, keep a lower center of gravity those are just a few things i can think of that may help you achieve a more confident feeling while descending.
I second the book by Lee McCormack, check out Lee Likes Bikes, he lives in CO, but is going to be out here around Christmas doing some clinics, worth every penny. I would also agree with what everyone else has said, trusting your bike is a huge part of it.
Thanks for the feedback. I think I'm going to do a camp with Gene Hamilton or Lee then go from there.
One thing that works for sure is to ride with people who are faster than you. I know that helped me immensely. Generally you won't ride outside your comfort zone unless pushed, and trying to keep up with someone who is faster and taking the lines that they ride will give you that extra push.
Lee McCormack clinic Hey mp3...Cathy (Cyclecc) was just asking about getting a few of us together for a private clinic from Lee . Would you be interested ? A few of the guys on here just did this a short while back and came out of it with some new skills even though they've been riding and racing many years. Sounded like a great clinic well worth it. http://www.socaltrailriders.org/forum/racing-training/3479-lee-mccormack-clinic-fontana.html
Best thing you can do for your DH skills is learn how to brake. Once you master braking, the faster you can go. The braking technique Lee showed us at the clinic was worth it by itself. You'll be surprised how much stopping power you have once you know how to shift your body back on the bike.
the lee clinic isnt free tho,if enuff of you peeps can get together it'll defray the cost.i know cathy (cyclecc) really wood like to do this clinic if enuff peeps can get together,lee can prolie do it anywhere.
Yeah I'm interested as long as the date doesn't conflict with a race or something. Is it a one day thing?
Now that's funny.......Probably can't keep up with him on the way to the DH.8-[ It is true though......ride with guys that are faster downhill than you are will help you speed up. Shift oyur weight back a bit. Relax and don't tense up. Pay more attention to your braking in and out of turns. Trust in the bike......tires and suspension. mtnbikej
mp3 - this is funny, you need to work on your DH skills? Hey everyone, this guy could teach most of us a thing or two. He is one of those scary fast guys.
I never said I was slow on the DH -- just wanna go faster. There's always room for improvement no? :?:
Yeah, I thought that was funny. The fastest guy out there looking for pointers. Dood, I couldn't catch you if I was falling!
