Mtb Instruction & Skills

[Artista]

No to White Ranch & Walker. I actually forgot about those. You're right. Colorado...so much to do, so little time!

Wow! 30 miles on an mtb. I'm impressed. I reserve that kind of mileage for my road bike.

Got your PM. Not sure what was up with the error you received. I just answered you.

[indysteel]

DH and I camped last nigth at BCSP and rode some trails this morning and, again, this afternoon. We started off with the trail I'd previously done. There were a few too many soft spots in the middle part of the trail, so after a loop, I sent DH to ride a different trail while I worked on some drills. I went back to the trail a bit later and rode each end and then turned around to avoid the middle. I was really pleased to make some progress on the part of the trail that's a bit of a gradual downhill. On previous passes, I felt a little out of control. This time, I did it out of the saddle with my butt back and I did much better. After that, we met DH's parents in town for lunch and then headed back out later in the afternoon. This time, we did a trail called Limekiln. It's also a beginner trail but is a bit more technical. One part is rocky. I need to work on that part a bit more. Another part is rollercoastery (is that a word?). That was fun! I did pretty well on the trail minus a few minor hiccups, but it's going to take a few more passes for me to feel a bit more controlled. I just made once pass this time because, frankly, I was beat. I sent DH to do the trail in reverse, while I made my way back via the road.

So, all in all a good outing. Bit by bit, I'm getting a bit more confidence. At one point, I chased a group down that was doing the Pine Loop to warn them that a good portion of the trail was arguably too wet to ride. I was sort of tearing down the trail before it dawned on me that I was perhaps going a bit too fast for my skill level. The group ignored me unfortunately.

[Catrin]

Sounds like you did great! You have had a chance to get out there a lot more than I have been able to. Was this the first time on your mountain bike since the Clinic? I haven't been on mine since then

What I hope to do is some drills tomorrow, then a couple of times during the week. If the weather holds I hope to drive down to BCSP Friday after my training session and ride Pine Loop by myself. If Pine is too wet at that time, I will start at the end of Limekiln that starts next to Walnut (not the roller coaster end) and see how it goes. I might turn back at the rocky bit or I might not

[indysteel]

Yes, it was my first time out since the clinic. Good luck if you go out Friday. Just an FYI that the rollercoaster part of the trail--at least in my opinion--IS the end near Walnut. It's nice and smooth though. The other end is--by the Rally Campground--is rooty, slightly off camber and has a steep dropoff. I don't know which end I'd recommend to you to start. Brian thinks going from the Walnut end to the Rally end is faster. I, personally, would recommend a few safe passes over Pine Loop before trying Limekiln. It's not that I thought Limekiln was hard but Pine Loop is definitely easier, at least over much of it. Here's the thing about Pine Loop though. It's easy enough that you don't necessarily need to use any actual skill on it. I have to force myself to practice what we learned at the clinic. That means getting out of the saddle even though I can arguably ride it seated.

[Catrin]

Here's the thing about Pine Loop though. It's easy enough that you don't necessarily need to use any actual skill on it. I have to force myself to practice what we learned at the clinic. That means getting out of the saddle even though I can arguably ride it seated.

I rode all of Pine seated the one time I've ridden it - of course it helps having a FS. The instructor with me specifically told me to stay in my saddle on the descents - she may have been concerned what would happen if I tried the proper position considering how many problems I had on the trail

[Irulan]

Apparently some BMX riders use the Five Tens with BMX pedals and their feet stay in place, I think the pins kind of dig into the soles if I understand what is going on and you can actually pull up on the pedals.

The saddle height on my Jams is currently lower than it should be - right now it is important that I be able to get my feet to the ground quickly Eventually I will need a different stem as I get more experienced/comfortable and spend more time on the bike. I require a short reach as well, which is one of the reasons my Jamis is a size smaller than probably someone else with my measurements would order. My fitter and I worked it out though.

So far the different position isn't bothering my hands, but it isn't like I am spending long periods of time on the bike without stopping, falling, something The problem is the reach - with the larger sizes the TT is much, much too long for me... Thankfully my hand position on mountain bars doesn't automatically cause pain like it does on road bars...and I am probably stronger than I was a year ago.

funny I am about to ditch clips completely and go for flat pedals with sticky shoes. I know an awful lot of people who ride very successfully this way, climbing or not. I resisted the concept for a long time, but now I am ready to commit. I've been riding clips for almost 15 years on my mtb but that's about to change.

PS ladies, a reminder to loosen up and have fun, don't think so much about everything. Put a silly song in your head and sing it to yourself when you go down the trail and encounter "interesting" things. It will get your brain out of the way ( overthinking) and let you body do what you've taught it to do.

[indysteel]

Good advice, Irulan. At one point on today's trail I told me husband "I think I'm having fun." I meant it more or less, but the primary emotion is abject fear. It's hard for me to loosen up out there. I'm trying though, and I do have some weeeee! moments, but it's just very contrary to my overly analytical lawyer mind. I can't even say that I'm over thinking it; it's more that I'm over worrying it.

Catrin, as far as getting out of the saddle on that descent, I'm not sure why Lindsay had you seated. It made a HUGE difference today. I rode my brakes, too, trust me, but I felt totally in control. It was actually kind fun, and it gave me some condidence for Limekiln. Of course, you gotta come to these things in your own time and way. I get really frustrated with Brian when he doesn't let me just work it out.

Next time I'm out, I'd like to work on a few rocky areas. That's my current OMG what do I do? issue. Brian says I gotta stop the urge to brake so much over them and let momentum be my friend.

[indysteel]

Catrin, I should clarify that when I say that I need to ride Pine Loop out of the saddle to practice skills, I mean over the whole trail, not just the descents. I found it helpful to get up in a neutral or ready position even when I could have ridden it seated just to get some practice doing it--because on Limekiln you arguably do need to be out of your saddle at times. What's great is that it really does make it easier to feel and stay in control, rather than to feel like the bike is riding me.

[kimikaw]

Jealous you made it back to Brown Cty, indysteel! We loved Limekiln! Kiddo and I did it both ways, hubby only from the end by the Park office to rally. We decided that it is more strenuous that direction, maybe faster from rally campground. Like you had trouble with some of the rocky bits, esp. the piece with the tight turn and rocks. Kiddo told me to just ride it, not think about it. Which probably is good advice...I balked on the walnut to rally trip, flew through it on return.

I love the roller coaster parts. Just get out of your seat and go. Locally some of our trails have those and I don't always get up them. What a difference a bit of descent and some momentum/ speed make.

Trying to figure out a trip back down there. Hopefully we can do it in Sept or Oct

Catrin- you asked me how often I make it down to Indy on biz ( been a couple of crazy travel weeks or woulda answered sooner). In my old role, about every month or two, new role less sure, maybe once a quarter. Unsure of next trip. Will let you know if I get one planned with a smidgen of free time.

[indysteel]

Kimikaw, DH and I already have a campsite reserved for October 14-16--the weekend after the Brown County Breakdown and the weekend before the fall crowd descends on Brown County for the fall colors. Maybe we'll see you out there.

[Artista]

Next time I'm out, I'd like to work on a few rocky areas. That's my current OMG what do I do? issue. Brian says I gotta stop the urge to brake so much over them and let momentum be my friend.

I went on a women's group ride a couple of weeks ago & had the opportunity to watch about 12 women with varying skill levels ride over a steep, rocky descent. (I didn't even try riding it.) There was a distinct difference in their ability to control their bikes based on how fast they were going.

• The women who rode it with a reasonable amount of speed seemed to skim over the tops of the rocks. They had more control over their bikes with less bouncing & the front wheels stayed the course.
• The women who rode it slowly got bounced all over. The voids between the rocks jerked their front wheels all over the place. They had the most difficulty controlling the direction of their bikes.

In the end, it looked as if the women with the most momentum were the least likely to fall, but were more likely to get banged up if they did fall. The women with the least momentum were the most likely to fall, but less likely to hurt themselves if they did.

Fortunately, no one did fall but a few of the slowest women had to put a foot down in the middle of the obstacle while none of the faster riders did.

It seems that the toughest part for a less skilled rider is to figure out how fast is "reasonable" for the conditions.

[kimikaw]

In the end, it looked as if the women with the most momentum were the least likely to fall, but were more likely to get banged up if they did fall. The women with the least momentum were the most likely to fall, but less likely to hurt themselves if they did.

Fortunately, no one did fall but a few of the slowest women had to put a foot down in the middle of the obstacle while none of the faster riders did.

It seems that the toughest part for a less skilled rider is to figure out how fast is "reasonable" for the conditions.

I think that's an excellent observation, especially the last sentence, My worst fall was a slow speed endo over rocks.Didn't have enough momentum to go over...but still enough forward motion that when the front tire wedged, I flipped over the bars.

As I've gotten a little more confidence, I realize more and more what the "Momentum is your friend" mantra is all about. Now to figure out where the point of controlled versus uncontrolled speed is for me at this time (and how to increase that point to a fun but still safe place in the future.

[limewave]

I have used this site for ideas on strength training and conditioning. My time is so limited and the trails are quite a drive, training on the bike and trail as much as I want to just isn't possible.

[Artista]

I have used this site for ideas on strength training and conditioning. My time is so limited and the trails are quite a drive, training on the bike and trail as much as I want to just isn't possible.

Those exercises do look effective!

[Catrin]

These look like a large part of my normal session with my trainer - who also is a very strong mountain biker. We do more than these, but we certainly incorporate them. Thanks! It is good to have the link as a reminder.