Bike setup madness
Most bike fitters are doing great work, but some of the fits I see in my clinics are insane!
This is why I’m now offering “cockpit optimization” services in my clinics.
“Downgrading” to a rigid single speed?
Hi Lee,
I’m only asking because I highly value your opinion!
As an adult sometimes I have to make adult decisions. In the next few months we are looking to move and bit a bigger house, so I’m thinking of freeing up some cash by selling my current ride. It’s not imperative that I do it, but it would help a bit.
I would still want something to ride in the meantime, and I don’t want an entry level bike necessarily. Looking at some options and the Crave SL single speed looks interesting and a good price. It might be fun and a new realm to try something like this for my FL XC trails.
What do you think, is having a single speed as an only bike for a few months a good idea? Is it possible to still pursue some off season structured training and continue pump up the base and later PTPI?
Thank you!
Greg
How should I pump a 180 berm?
Hi Lee,
I’ve been working hard on your different pumping techniques in Pro BMX Skills (really like the detail of the different techniques). I finally have a pump track near me and there’s been a massive improvement since I started riding it. The bit I’m struggling with is my entry to the 180 degree berm, at the end of the track. I’m always losing speed on it, when others are gaining speed. Should I be unweighting over the entry roller, then one slow pump down the backside of the roller and round the berm? Or should I pump the backside, unweight again, then pump the berm?
I gotta say, riding a pump track is proving very beneficial for my overall riding. I’m off to Fort William in the morning for the World Cup, so I imagine I’ll see some good pumping technique there. 🙂
Thanks,
Andy
“I was ripping down the slalom track, and it was fantastic”
From a recent kung fu skills student:
I took the Lee Likes Bikes four-hour enduro/advanced trail riding class at Valmont Bike Park in Boulder over the weekend, and within the first hour felt that my money was well spent.
BMX birthday party!
This might be even sweeter than Chuck E Cheese.
Yesterday we rocked a private BMX session at a local track.
How did Matt hunter do it?
Hi Lee,
I don’t know if you saw this photo yet:
http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/10883974/
Can you explain how this is even possible? It might make for a good lesson on cornering for all of us who can’t come close to this. The only thing I can think of is he must be going like Mach 10.
Jim
UPDATED with Matt Hunter’s side of the story!
Balance on the BMX track
Hi Lee,
I’m new to BMX racing and have been finding your book Pro BMX Skills very useful, however my coach keeps telling me to keep my elbows up and out. I’m riding a cruiser and am 170cm tall. I find this really difficult to do when I am hanging back behind the seat (weight still centered). My front wheel becomes very loose. Do you have any tips which will let me learn to keep my elbows up even whilst pumping but keep the front wheel planted. I seem more in control with my elbows in. Any help you could give me would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Jess
Riding/skating with Crashed Ice’s Reed Whiting
I’m super proud of Reed Whiting, an athlete and gentleman who’s made himself into one of the top Red Bull Crashed Ice racers.
Check out this video/photos/story from our training together:
Busy, busy
Apologies for the stale blog. Spring has been super busy with:
• HIgh school coach training in Wisconsin.
• High school coach training in Georgia.
• Lots of private and public clinics in Colorado and elsewhere.
Lots of stuff to post when I get a chance. Stay tuned!
Lee
Will Pump Up the Base help my burning thighs?
Hi Lee,
DH season has started here in Japan. I know it is already early summer but I want to increase physical strength. If I want to do it, do I read and follow Pump up the base?
I go to like1500m DH course but I need to take a break once or twice in between because I feel so tired in my thighs and I can’t continue riding. By increasing my strength I want to ride through to the bottom of the course without any break. Does Pump up the base provide how to increase strength for my situation? Any advise will be appreciated!!
Thanks/regards,
Hiro Komori
Finding my inner unit with Enduro MTB Training
Since I started working with Coach Dee Tidwell at Enduro MTB Training, my back has not blown out.
That is a really big deal.
2014 public clinic #1 was awesome!
Last night was the first public clinic of the year at Valmont Bike Park. I’m nervous for every class I teach, but we tried a new format so I was extra wound up.
And … it went great!