Questions, comments and criticisms

I want to be a bike coach: Should I go to college?

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Hi Lee,

I am a big fan of yours, you’re one of my role models within the World of Mountain Biking.

I write this email as a 17 year old from the UK trying to decide on a career path, I currently work as a lifeguard and I am in full time education. I love Sport and especially riding bikes with knobbly tyres on dirt.

Becoming a Mountain Biking coach interests me greatly as I would love to turn my passion into a career and help share my passion with other riders. I was hoping for some insight into the industry and advice as to how to break into it and become a coach.

Is it better to start part-time and go to University/ College as well, if so would a degree relating to Psychology and Sports coaching be beneficial? or completely commit and become fully qualified straight away? How does someone come about working for your coaching team? What qualifications or experience do you look for?

Any advice you can offer would be a huge help.

Kind regards

Alex

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Hamstring stretches for people who don’t want to stretch

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Lee,

I attended the Level 1 class at Valmont Bike Park with Kevin this weekend, it was awesome. We learned so much!

One of the key things I learned is that I need more flexibility. Kevin mentioned F6 and it looks like a great way to reinforce key movements and strengthen your riding body. I was wondering if you have any specific recommendations for improving flexibility, especially in hamstrings.

Thanks Lee, looking forward to the Level 2 clinic in a couple of weeks!

Chad

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Gearing: how looowww can you go?

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Lee, I was just catching up on my email and noticed your newsletter article on the 1×11 drivetrain. I ride a 1×11 with a 30t chainring. I feel like I am working my ass off compared to my buddies with their 2×10 setups. What do you suggest? I ride a Santa Cruz Tallboy carbon, I am 60 years old, currently I am in early-season shape but a strong upper-intermediate rider in-season. Your article seems to suggest that a smaller chainring or a switch to a 2×10 might help.
Help!
“Mr. Fatigued” Marc

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Pump Up the Base made me stronger. What next?

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Lee,

Howdy, I just finished a functional threshold power test (20 minutes flat out). Brutal. Over 10 weeks of Pump Up the Base, my FTP went up 8% to 271. I have no idea if that’s what I should be expecting. Stand up pedaling really improved, that’s for sure. Let me know what you think so I can figure out how to continue my training. Thanks,I hope you’re doing well.

Marc

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Specialized Enduro EVO vs Status vs Demo 8?

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Lee,

Hope your new season is goin well. 2 things…

1st, much thnx on the Butcher SX tire recommendation. I love it and confidence is very high to play with different approaches in different type corners gives many sh_t eatin grins!

2nd, any insight/opinion on Specialized Enduro EVO vs Status vs Demo 8 bikes? No racing, just playing on natural dh tracks a few times a year. Haven’t been able to ride an evo or status but heard great things. If it matters, my ride style is all bmx influenced as I still play on my 20s. Really respect your approach to things and any insight would be great!

Much thnx
Rey

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Week 10 of Pump Up the Base — Can I stop now?

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Hi Lee
I’m on week 10 of Pump Up the Base but its now nice enough to ride outside and I don’t know if I can mentally handle riding the trainer when the trails are money. Don’t you think it’d make more sense training-wise to get out for trail rides now even though I’m not all the way done with the program?
Mark

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Circling back to crank length

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Ha, circling.

A couple months ago we talked about shortening cranks for improved pedaling and shredding: Shorter cranks for my Stumpy EVO?

Since then I’ve been thinking about crank length as is relates to leg length and biomechanics. And then our friend Anne sent in this question:

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Pump Up the Base on my commute?

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Lee,

I am fortunate to be able to bike commute to work (25min each way) and ride at lunch (45min) for a total of 20 miles/day. I have been doing as many Pump Up the Vase segments in these time intervals as I can with about a 5 min warm-up. However, I am never doing the full workout duration and I want to know if this is ok or if my fitness will just be contained to short bursts? While doing the workouts on my commute I am getting PRs on Strava for sections that I literally rode 243 times last year. I know the weather will get crappy again and I will go back to the trainer but 70 in Denver is like crack to a bike addict like me:)

Also I have been training in my sweet spot (141- 160) based on my highest heart rate (188) on real rides. During the base workouts in week 1 and 2 I am struggling to come down from my sweet spot range without doing limited resistance. Also, when I am in the sweet spot I am riding high in the range. I can stay in the sweet spot without giving it much thought. I am in decent shape with a 49 resting BPM. However, I cant clean mount falcon without stopping and routinely get smoked up it. BTW that is my fitness goal: up mount falcon without stopping.

Also I have been weaving in the F6 and I love both programs!

Kung Fu Ninja in training!!

Ray

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How do I ride this massive roll-in?

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Hey Lee,
There is a 20ft, nearly vertical, rock on a trail I visited recently. I really want to hit it, and I know it’s rideable. Are there any tricks to tackling a big obstacle like that?

Here is a video. the rock is at 1:44 and from this angle it looks really mellow. When you’re standing right below it or on top it is really pretty vertical. I think what’s hanging me up is the bulge you can see about halfway down. It looks like it’s going to buck me forward off my bike and onto my face in the dirt at the bottom. I’d recommend not watching the whole video… You’ll cringe at some of the riding.

Rory

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Pedaling rounder and smoother

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Hi Lee,

I’m in the midst of my second season of Pump Up the Base. I could see dramatic improvements in my riding last year and hope to see some more this spring and summer.

I’m fortunate to work out at a place that has WattCycles. They show cadence, wattage and time, but they also show a graphic of your pedal stroke. This photo is typically what my stroke looks like in the sweet spot, when I use the techniques you talk about in Pump Up the Base. To me, it feels the most natural and efficient. When I stand and pedal, it’s close to this, but with maybe even a bigger dip in the middle.

I asked some of the national/resident team cyclists working out up there about it, and they told me a perfect reading would be a perfect circle. I then asked the guy if he pedals a perfect circle. He just laughed and said no one does.

Assuming that’s the case — and I have no reason to doubt him — what should this readout look like, and how can I get there?

Jim

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The best prescription riding glasses — ever

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Lee,
So it turns out I’ve had astigmatism for years and I just went to the eye doctor and got a pair of glasses. omg life is 4k HDTV now, I can actually see in detail (altho I’m getting motion sickness, haven’t adjusted yet). I’m looking forward to trail riding, as now I will be able to look much farther down the trail and actually identify what it is on the ground…

my question is tho, how do you deal with wearing the glasses? do you have a set of prescription sport glasses? do they fog up, skip down your nose, etc? do you have less peripheral vision? any info appreciates, thx

Cody

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Keeping weeds off a pump track

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Hi Lee,

Jerome from Bozeman, MT here. Hey, I’ve purchased your Welcome to Pump Track Nation book and some plans and also your skills book. Great stuff, man. Thanks. I’ve a lingering question. How do I keep the weeds from growing in my pump track? Thanks!

Sincerely,
Jerome

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