Everything to help you ride stronger and better.
What’s up Lee,
I just wanted to get your opinion on slalom drills through a row of cones on a flat surface. How does this type of drill compare to figure 8’s as far as development of cornering, pumping turns, and left hand turns? Is there anything beneficial to adding this drill to practice time or does it just get trumped by figure 8’s?
Mahalo,
Keoni
Lee,
When doing the Lee trademark cone drills, you often show them being done with BMX, dirt jump bikes or a bike with a seat completely lowered.
Raising my seat into the normal position is awful. Everything that worked before is gone. It’s like trying to walk without bending your knees. So now what? Just get used to it and adapt? I can’t lower my seat for biomechanical reasons when I ride, so I need to make this step.
Stiffy McUpright
Hi Lee;
I went over the handlebars twice last season, landing once on each shoulder. After spending the winter with James Wilson’s DB Combo and The Ultimate programs, things are good.
Just wondering what your thoughts are on upper body/shoulder armor for TRAIL riding. Most of what I’ve seen seems geared to DH riders. IE not a lot of ventilation and bulky looking. I came across this product with looks like it might have some potential, given the ability to remove the shoulders and the two way front zipper. http://www.skeletools.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=1
Feedback is welcome from one and all.
Cheers Greg
I did a Jedi Knight series with Jen last fall, and she has some follow-up questions — not the least of which is her aching neck.
We just got about two feet of wet, heavy snow here at the house. While that storm cut into my teaching and riding, it did get me five hours of full-body workout action.
Hi Lee,
Awesome site and book. I love your approach to mountain biking revolving around technique and skill over equipment.
Anyhow I always been riding a hardtail until i finally purchased my Blur a little more than a year ago. Ever since then i’ve been having an issue with the rear of the bike. When I hit a triangluar shaped bump, or jump at a good speed i would suck up the bump pretty well so the front wheel would stay planted and track the ground very nicely. The back wheel however would tend to launch off the bump causing a situation optimal for an endo.
I am in an attack position during these situations with the front end relatively light and my weight being more towards the rear of the bike. Many people have told me that my rebound for the rear is just set to fast causing the rear to pop at the top of the crest of the bump. This is hard to believe since the bike is very well behaved in any other situation it is in. Is this situation caused from a problem in my technique or just a setup issue?
-Jerald
Hey Lee,
My bike has a Rockshox Lyrik 2-step on the front and a Fox RP23 on the back.
When dirt jumping should I set the Lyrik to short travel (and maybe turn pro pedal on) or just run with my normal downhill setup.
Cheers, Andrew
Hi Lee,
I’ve been racing for a while, and I constantly get dropped by my friends in berms. When I follow, I end up just a little farther back after just about any berm. I consider my weight balanced, but it seems like my body position is biased to the front of the bike. This works great for attacking looser or rougher straights and turns where the front wheel leads and the rear wheel just tracks along, but I think my position is killing me in well-supported turns. I feel like I’m just standing on top of the bike in berms, and I’m just loosing speed. Do I just need to shift my weight back and carve with the rear wheel? Just sit down and rail?
Thanks, I love your website, and sorry for the long question,
Charlie
Hey Lee,
I just wanted some input on my cornering. I have included a picture of myself goin around a fast sweeper. If you could look at this and give me advice I would appreciate it. I have been working hard on my form all winter.
Thanks,
Paul
Here’s how to rock the figure eight drill without pedaling. There are a few sweet moments — and plenty of sloppy ones. Behold:
Hi Lee- I’m a CSU, Chico student. I’m TRYING to write a lesson plan for fourth graders about bicycle safety. My subject is how to wreck with the least amount of injuries.
My inspiration was my son. He had his helment on, got squirrely and dove off of the bike face first into the asphalt, busted three of his permanent teeth and his lip. He now wears a BMX helmet with the face guard! I don’t want to give the same old “wear your helmet” speech in my lesson plan because obviously you can still get injured.
So, I thought I could teach them the best way to land when they are wrecking. I have not had much luck finding any official websites or videos with this information. Do you know of any? I’d really appreciate any information you have.
Thanks so much,
Shauna
Last week’s PowerMax indoor cycling workout at the Boulder Center for Sports Medicine was BRUTAL in the endurance sense, but it inspired me to become a better person (or least a better bike rider). I just got back from another PowerMax love session, and tonight I feel better.