Last week I rocked a three-hour session with these two:
• James Herrera, USA Cycling National Team BMX Coach, and
• Kelli Emmett, Team Giant pro enduro racer
We refined their pumping skills, cleaned up their drops then did some jumping.
Here’s what James had to say:
Last Sunday’s clinic in Tarrytown, NY was windy and cold, but everyone held strong and had fun.
Check out these comments from stoked kung fu students:
Hi Lee,
Reading your book on MTB skills and have just taken the plunge and swapped out my Stumpy Elite 26 inched with a Stump Comp Evo 29er (arrives next week).
Thing is we have a nice pumptrack near us and i still want to ride it with my two boys.
It got me thinking that there’s going to be some differences now that i’m on a 140mm travel 29er! Any suggestions would be welcome – I’m guessing I can’t be the only person in this situation 🙂
Cheers
Jase
Stoked to be included in BikeFAT’s 10 Best Blogs About Mountain Biking
Hi Lee,
I enjoy your bike wisdom on a regular basis. Something has been bothering me lately.
I’m wondering if all the plyometric-type training and weight lifting that mountain bikers are doing is actually doing that much to improve their bike riding skills.
The recent research suggests that lifting weights and doing plyometric exercises (even if they incorporate “bike muscles”) only make you better at lifting weights and better at these specific exercises.
There seems to be no significant carry-over to actual bike riding skills (aside from the obvious cardiovascular fitness and overall increase in strength and muscle mass).
The most relevant training must mimic the speed of movement that a mountain biker would need while blasting down a DH track. This is difficult to do in a gym. Do you agree that the best training is on an actual bike?
Trey
Last weekend’s kung fu session in Temecula was awesome. On Dec. 8, LLB coach Andy Somerville is gonna rock your world.
SOLD OUT
Press release from a longtime supporter of LeeLikesBikes:
Introducing Uncle Dick’s Bead Slip designed for tough tire installations. Rich Travis, long time industry friend has launched his company with a new website http://uncledicksbikeshop.com. Working on bicycles Rich sees a host of tire problems arising for everyone.
Lee,
I am sitting down and planning my training program to lead up to the USA Cycling Nationals next year in Super D. I use an online strength program and am anxious to supplement that with your Pump up the Base and then Prepare to Pin it! As I started reading Pump up the Base tonight I am immediately perplexed at the Sweet Spot. Here is why:
I am 50 years old
My max recorded heart rate in competition this year was 187 bpm.
I can maintain a heart rate of 168-172 for an hour (89%-92%of maximum heart rate)…my training rides are very often that intensity…I seldom see numbers in the low 160s.
For example, I won seven cross country races this year pinning it from the line on my heavy all mountain bike and making those XC guys (in a age group younger than me) hurt really badly. I’d push the envelope up close to 95% max heart rate and then settle down into 90% and hold that the entire race for up to 1-1.5 hrs. hitting a 100% max heart rate in a sprint with myself because none was within sight.
Below is a heart rate graph of a race where I was in the “Red” zone for 51 minutes of a 51 minute race. Heart rate range in red is 168-182 bpm)
So, of course I question any gains from working in the Sweet Spot, because to me that puts me in with the group of riders you say don’t work hard enough when they work hard.
My mind is open.
Thanks, Kent
Dear Lee,
I would like your opinion on what would help increase ability and eventually speed on a mountain bike. MX or BMX? I wish I had the time and money for both but I’m a poor college kid who spends the majority of the time racing MTB instead of doing homework. Moto would be more expensive but I’m more curious about which would make you a better rider in a quicker amount of time. Or which would make you learn better technique if done properly.
Thanks for your time, I love your books too.
Cheers!
Leif
Our heros Bruce and Scott have finished up in Cuyuna, MN and are now in Gardnerville, NV.
Making dirt magic, they are.
Yesterday I enjoyed the privilege of being completely terrified yet stepping through a skills progression. It opened my eyes to some new kung fu and gave me a new appreciation for what my clients must experience.
