The sweetest trails and riding spots
P3: an even better tool for the job?
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?
Shredding with the Caveman
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!
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
BMX birthday party!
This might be even sweeter than Chuck E Cheese.
Yesterday we rocked a private BMX session at a local track.
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
Ready to build pump track plans!
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The next track: 2010 Sea Otter! That’s still one of my faves.
Critique: Kung fu loop on lower Valmont pump track
Ski skills expert Ron LeMaster and I have been exploring the commonalities of pumping on dirt and snow. He shot this video for use in his books and lectures.
I’m seeing some good moments and some lazy ones.
Designing a pump track to go uphill
Hi Lee,
First of all, thank you for writing a great book. I’ve read Welcome to Pump track Nation several times and have been measuring out my pump track and started thinking about draining. In fact, I might have developed a problem. I’m beginning to wish it rained dirt, and every flat yard I see I ask, why no pump track?
My big question is, on the long return side (circled and labeled #1) up to my berms I will have to pump up hill (maybe a 10% grade, I haven’t measured it yet). What is the optimum pump size and spacing for going up hill? Should they be taller and closer, smaller and closer….
Another thing that you could perhaps comment on is making a “switch” spot to reverse direction. What would that look like at the location circled and labeled #2?
Thanks for you advise. I would like to build once and get it right.
Joe
How to ride a 29er fully on a pumptrack?
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
BMX or MX for MTB?
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
Progressing at Progresh
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.