I know girth is important…but really?

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Lee,

Hey there! Its EJ from Tampa. I did a clinic with you at Mulberry Gap this spring. After the clinic I came back and really tried to process all of the great coaching and begin to apply it. As always it is a work in progress but I am definitely seeing results as I am finding better and cleaner lines on my local trails that I had always struggled to keep my composure.

Anywho, recently read your article on your clinic with Curtis Keene and your tire selections. Great stuff! It was timely as I am in the final stages of pulling the trigger on a new ride. I hate to say, that I am pretty convinced to get a big wheeler. Since I am smitten with my current Ibis Mojo SL, I have decided to get the Ripley with the new Cane Creek DB Inline rear shock and Pike 140 front fork. Since you have ridden with me, you know I am not race oriented and really want a capable and fun trail bike. With that being said, my questions are:

1.) In your experience, would a rider of my ability notice a significant difference riding carbon hoops? For reference I currently ride 26″ I9 Torch Trail 24 spoke aluminum wheelset.

2.) Current trends with carbon wheels have the inner width up to 35mm. For 2.3 tires is this overkill? What rim width do you see as the sweet spot for a 29er trail bike?

Thanks in advance for any wisdom you share!

Eric

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Pump track at Denver Green School!

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Does your school have a pump track?

This one does, and it is sweet.

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The joy of not racing

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Last weekend was a big deal in Winter Park, CO. You had the Air Downhill, the Enduro World Series, the Slopestyle, some cross country and more I’m sure.

I didn’t compete at all. It felt strange, but it was good.

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Early impressions: Specialized Slaughter tire

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Many of you are running Specialized Butcher tires on the fronts of your all-mountain/enduro bikes.

The Butcher is a versatile and dependable choice. But what do you run in back, especially if you want faster rolling?

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Learning and shredding with Curtis Keene

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Saturday’s LLB skills clinic with Curtis Keene was rad!

Six strong riders — pros and bros — honed their kung fu skills, ripped trails and learned from the best.
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P3: an even better tool for the job?

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At my coaching office (Valmont Bike Park in Boulder, CO) I generally churn out laps on a carbon, suspended 29er: either a Specialized Camber or Enduro. Up the dirt road, down the slalom or slopestyle, repeat, then some pump track and dirt jump laps. It’s park riding for old guys — or is it XC training for someone who prefers sine waves?

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Cadence for hard intervals?

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Hi Lee.
I finished your Pump up the Base program (and loved it) and I’m now moving on to Prepare to Pin It. I do have a couple of RPM related questions:

Sprint Workouts: You mention the 5 seconds being “full gas” but you then recommend sets maxing out a 100 RPMs. I can definitely mix it up but I’m wondering how hard it should be shooting for ultimately.

Red workouts: Similarly, what RPM should I focus on to in the intervals to reach the desired power? In PUTB, you were very prescriptive on this which really helped. Since this affects my gear selection, I could use some guidance here as well.

Thanks for everything!! Not only is this helping me on the trail, but I’ve slimmed down which is great everyday!

Rene

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Shredding with the Caveman

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It’s been my pleasure to help 7-time XTERRA world champion the “Caveman” Conrad Stoltz get even faster and smoother on his bike. Oh yeah, and he’s having more fun too.

In this video we ride Hall Ranch in Lyons, CO. Conrad is fast!

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Skills with Lee McCormack and Curtis Keene July 20, 2014

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Hone your skills and shred with skills expert Lee McCormack and pro racer Curtis Keene.

I’ve known Curtis for a long time (from way before he was the “American Dream”). He’s a great guy, a good teacher and of course an exceptional athlete. Many of my best rides have been on his wheel. I’m stoked to teach with him at Winter Park, CO on July 20, 2014.

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NorCal skills clinics July 11-14, 2014

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We are rocking kung fu skills clinics at the world famous Soquel Demonstration Forest July 11, 12 and 13.

Plus: Advanced classes!

SOLD OUT!

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Power meter for Prepare to Pin It?

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Hi Lee,

I’m trying to do your Prepare to Pin It in-season training program, I just bought your book but I can’t really get it with the watt measurement. I have a Sigma Rox 9.1 cycle computer that ¨calculates¨
the watt I´m generating.
The power meter you refer to in your book is the one that goes in the crank?
Should I better go by bpm´s?

Thanks a lot for your time,
José

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The Triangle of Trust

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By LLB Coach Andy Somerville

In Lee’s training materials for the NICA high school MTB leagues, there’s a diagram called the Triangle of Teaching. The three vertices are: Skills, Fitness, Confidence. Each complements and reinforces the other. All three can be learned/acquired/bolstered through deliberate practice and hard work. High School league coaches learn to apply this teaching philosophy to their students.

I’m visualizing another IKF (Infograph of Kung Fu) these days, one that applies to riders of all ages and abilities:

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