Learning from the master

[typeone]

[csmutty]

Some of that stuff that they are flying up is straight nasty.

[Chippertheripper]

I need to go back and give my young self a trials bike and tell myself to be patient and enjoy going slow.
I doubt I'd have listened, even to old me, at that time.

[breakdirt916]

GJ still 2-smoke

dat log wheelie run doe

[nhbubba]

This is the stuff I am keen to learn.
Spent part of my weekend setting up some obstacles in the back yard.
Then it snowed.

[Paul_E_D]

Well, he said anyone can learn so...

I can't do the slow wheelies. Apparently that's step one. I guess I'm not getting to step 2 any time soon.

[cdovego]

I'm stuck at step 1, too. That dude is seriously talented.

[typeone]

the slow wheelie is Step 3 ... Step 1 and 2 are fitness and the will to improve

[Rada]

the slow wheelie is Step 3 ... Step 1 and 2 are fitness and the will to improve

There are two types for fitness. I'm apparently the wrong one.
More training and less fitn this pie in my mouth...

[loudbeard]

Yep, I've been working on the slow wheelies in my backyard and they're tough. It takes a busy rear brake and throttle blip to hold up. I *think* there's a rhythm to it, haven't been able to find it yet. Best I can manage is 2 or 3 blips following the brake bump. I've also managed to loop it god knows how many times.

[typeone]

There are two types for fitness. I'm apparently the wrong one.
More training and less fitn this pie in my mouth...

amen. except pie = BEER.

[typeone]

for me, before the slow wheelie, it's rear brake control while standing, bigger logs and throttle burst practice. our trail choice is getting more and more gnarly at HVD. had trouble on Sat. fear, bad. gas, good.

[nhbubba]

Slow wheelie is high on my list too. But even higher on my list is learning to keep the wheel spin down. Especially when I lose momentum and get stuck. So good at beating up rear tires, polishing rocks and making noise. None of which is productive.

[Chippertheripper]

Slow wheelie is high on my list too. But even higher on my list is learning to keep the wheel spin down. Especially when I lose momentum and get stuck. So good at beating up rear tires, polishing rocks and making noise. None of which is productive.

Step 1: don't get stuck.
Obviously harder than it sounds. amhik

[nhbubba]

Yeah, well. Some of us just suck at life and have come to grips with that nagging little fact.

I am also looking into getting that inseam extension mod. Thinking I may go for the +6" kit. Think it may help me from tipping over when I do get stopped.

[Chippertheripper]

Hah. Yeah, that's another challenge to tiptoeing through the tulips.

Momentum really is the key to gnarly woodsy ripping. It's easier to keep the further ahead you train yourself to look.
I've asked numerous fast dudes about "how do you see the terrain different than I see the terrain?"
The best answer I got was "I see it the same as you, I just can't slow down. I'm full speed ahead, full time."

That really didn't help me at all either.

[typeone]

right, it sounds easy but it's something to really focus on, the not getting stuck...

it was our conversation all day Sat, keeping momenum up at all times to avoid wheel spin is so important. you already know how an obstacle or section may hold you up, in turn decreasing your speed, so bombing through EARLIER always pays off. slowing down, evaluating then expecting to magically regain traction never works out. a lot of times you need to CUT throttle at some point making that momentum even more valuable.

same could be said for downhills too. sometimes speed is just the answer to get through clean, even though it's scary as fuck.

simple in words, i know, but it's something i'm always working on as well.

- - - Updated - - -

ah, we posted at the same time yup, momenum = winning

[scottieducati]

*gulp*

[Chippertheripper]

*gulp*

You kin do eeet.

[scottieducati]

That's pretty much my goal atm, I've got enough of a wheelie to clear most smaller stuff... but it really isn't as controlled as I'd like. And I certainly can't hold one for more than 10' without flipping over so... I might need to build a little wheelie crash bar to keep from destroying my bike....

[typeone]

[Paul_E_D]

Ok, Don't tell Jersey Girl, but her bike just got nominated for this task. There
s still a few weeks before winter sets in.

Oh, and I have steps 1 and 2 in spades. Step 3 is the show stopper.

[Rada]

Mo is pretty key. Even if you ride slowly a small speed increase can make a huge difference. Almost always if I find myself struggling it's because I'm going too slow by 10%.

[nhbubba]

See, I don't see those cats bombing through things using speed. I see them knowing how to and being able to put down just enough power to carry just enough momentum to get through and having such epic balance and bike control that they make it look easy.

That's what I want.

I think if I were looking to be competitive woods racing I'd be looking to focus on vision, line choice, and thinking/executing quickly at speed. So many times I get mentally behind and make poor line choices. As Kates says "hit everything but the lottery!" Once there, I'd like to get out of it without tipping over, tearing up the trail or being so hard on the bike. I think the trials/cross train approach is the ticket for this.

Balance point, slow-speed wheelies
Balance beam riding
Climbing/clearing large obstacles from a stop

This jazz.

[Rada]

See, I don't see those cats bombing through things using speed.

To be clear on my point, and I know you know because we ride in the zone.. I'm only talking about a small amount of extra mo. Just a tad more roll speed.

I love the way Barry rides. Using all those tools you speak of..

I need to also master the slow wheelie.