This week the world’s best are competing at the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Canberra, Australia. That is awesome and I wish everyone well.
But the real contest goes down Wednesday on a local backyard pump track. 30 top pros. 10 timed laps. $4,000 up for grabs. Game on!
If you want to hang out with lots of women (platonically), go to band camp or become a bike coach.
Last week I did a fun clinic with 20 women from the Boulder Mountainbike Alliance.
Lee,
As I have said in previous e-mail; you book has been a great help to me and other, lent it out to many riding buddies. I am looking forward to ii. Any chance on an advanced copy?????
My question is weight % on corning / turns. As I have read and been working on most of the season is dropping the outside pedal and placing weight on it and at the same time placing weight and pulling on the handle bar, opposite to pedal side. Should I be distributing my weight similar to downhill skiing turns 80 / 20 rule (80% down on pedal and 20% on handle bar??????). I have noticed that if you do to much on the bar it actually tips you funny and also puts more weight down on the front tire, giving me to much traction.
Would this also apply for either hardtail for full suspension?
Any help would be great. I am always looking forward to your tips and advice.
Rob
Went for an epic ride yesterday — Heil Ranch to Hall Ranch and back; 5.5 hours away from the car, 4-something hours riding). Feeling tired in all the right ways.
In the Welcome to Pump Track Nation I mention all the hot chicks who will hang out at your new track. Megan, who just bought a copy, wonders about the hot guys.
Lee,
On my p57 of my copy of MMBS is a pair of illustrations: “loading a turn” and “light between turns.” What do you recommend for drills for this? I am slow when the trail gets twisty-turny, so the statement: “technical single track will never be the same” really gets my attention.
I already rock this: leelikesbikes.com/cornering-drilling-the-basics and I struggle with leelikesbikes.com/how-to-pump-a-flat-surface.html, in which you appear to be a self licking ice cream cone.
Also, do I rock these drills with the big bike? the all mountain bike? the DJ bike? the BMX bike? or the road bike (it’s all about performance!)?
Thanks,
-Jim
Check out this YouTube homage to Lycra, carbon fiber and shaved legs. Genius.
Love the site. Love the book. I recently bought a 2009 Specialized SX (not Trail) frame to set up for all around trail use. I’ve ridden a few DS/4X bikes and I love how they feel. I’m gonna run a single front ring for sure and know to use 34t with a mtb 11-34 cassette. What other stuff do you suggest as far as setup goes such as fork, crank size?
Danny
– Today I finished a pair of clinics with Eric from New Jersey. The 30-something mechanical engineer topped off his day by buttering the step-ups at Lyons Bike Park. He was stoked. Me too.
– Lance Armstrong won the CO state XC championships! Good for him. I’m sure the regional pros were a bit bummed to see him line up. When you’ve won the Tour seven times, is it sandbagging to race Pro at a mountain bike race?
– My friend Robyn is spec’ing a custom titanium pump track frame from Dean Bicycles. As the consultant on this venture, I am excited … and envious.
– The Twins are at 30 weeks! You can see ’em tussling in there, and — wow — they emerge in seven weeks. Ultrasound tomorrow.
Thursday’s Giant Bicycles pumpfest at the Keystone Stables was even better than Monday’s. The track was even more dialed, and even more riders rocked it.
Things were not looking good: The Sprinter is dead (something went wrong with the repair from the SolVista deer incident, and I had to get towed home from Loveland Pass after Thursdays’ Giant pump sesh). I got very little sleep last night. It’s a long drive. Lots of other work to do. I just didn’t feel like going.
This time I listened to the signs. Working at home. Hoping to ride later today.
Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, give ‘er!
Last night’s Giant Bicycles pump sesh at Keystone was even better than Monday’s. The track was even more dialed, and more people rocked it. Photos next week.
Tomorrow I’m off to the Snowmass Mountain States Cup/Pro Gravity Tour/Colorado State Championship to shoot for MMBSii. Let’s hope this adventure goes better than the last one.
See some of you at Snowmass this weekend. See the rest of you right here next week.
Heavy feet, light hands!