Everything to help you ride stronger and better.
Our friend and pupil Alex Willie is in the process of “making it.” He has a factory ride with Intense and strong relationships with Shimano and Fox. He’s currently crushing his senior year and training for his 2014 season.
Always a gentleman, Alex sent in a nice quote:
Read more
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.
Hey all, I’m stoked to announce kung fu skills sessions in Temecula, CA on Jan. 5 and 6, 2014.
The venue is super fun, with tons of challenging terrain. Give yourself the upgrade that lasts forever!
SESSIONS ARE CLOSED Stay tuned for my next trip to SoCal.
Talking about bike-maths (Galileo would have built sick rhythm sections): when you manual-pump a roller, should the force be directed vertically (to increase your weight as you suggest in Mastering Mountain Bike Skills), or perpendicularly to the backside (so that all the energy is used to push off the ground)?
Provided that our aim is to get as much speed as possible. This issue has been niggling me for a long time…
Jakub
Lee,
I bought Pump Up the Base a couple weeks back. I am currently in week 2 and am enjoying the workouts very much.
I have a question — I’m doing my best to drop my heel and then point my toes at the bottom of the pedal stroke. I’m getting a feel for that circular motion, rather than mashing. I can’t do it every time, but I’m getting better.
My question is this: I’m feeling this in my calves quite a bit. Is that normal? I would think it is to some extent, but I know I don’t want to overdo it and all my power to be coming from the calves — they’re too small a muscle group and not connected enough to the core.
Any insight you have on this — if you have the time, of course — would be appreciated.
Jim
Here’s another way to learn how to move, get stronger and stay somewhat sane this winter.
Winter is settling in all over the northern hemisphere, and passionate mountain bikers are dreaming of great races and rides next year. If you want to shred with utmost radness next season, I suggest you start building a smart base now.
The new LaPierre/Rockshox E:i suspension system adjusts rear damping on the fly based on pedaling and bumps. I’ve been dreaming of such a system — and I tried it yesterday at Valmont Bike Park.
This email just went to the leelikesbikes mailing list.
Hi all,
I hope you’re having fun out there. This is a great time of year to start building fitness, skills and radness for next year.
Please check out:
• Pump Up the Base training program
• The most useful pedaling tip ever
• NorCal clinics Dec. 13-15
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