marko35s Posted May 28, 2014 Posted May 28, 2014 It is quite clear that the bike is not good enough, so couldn't handle the terrain especially with flat pedals. Simple I was not confident, I kept losing grip and separating from the pedals, reasons: smooth shoes with no grip whatsoever, wrong pedals to try this and of course lack of technique being the most important. This culminated in me stupidly braking instead of riding it out when I was completely off balance and already weighted too far forward and blam I ran out of talent. There now you can have your little chuckle and feel better about yourself by making me explain in detail .Im the last person to have a laugh at somebody running out of talent/luck, been there and done it so many times myself its almost expected of me now.I use flats and struggled big time, especially with keeping my feet in contact with the pedals, then someone very generously gave me a good set and wow what a difference they made. Give them a chance and they will work for you.
eelvio Posted May 28, 2014 Author Posted May 28, 2014 I would say not being confident/getting used to it so your mind is elsewhere. Having the wrong pedals and/or shoes that slip around a bit might throw your weight in the wrong direction, etc. I think it stands to reason that my ability is certainly not at the same level as some of these highly experienced riders who can judge without fear of being judged back. No I am joking I ran out of talent simple. It takes some getting used to but: struggling to keep your feet on the pedals, or simply feeling out of control is 90% lack of proper technique.Yes, the quality of pedal and shoes will make a difference but normally it is simply - bad technique. That is pretty much it, I will steal my wife's flat pedals and try again with better shoes, the ones I had on were last used by the Canadian curling team and won gold. I appreciate the feedback and will try and put it into practice.
eelvio Posted May 28, 2014 Author Posted May 28, 2014 Im the last person to have a laugh at somebody running out of talent/luck, been there and done it so many times myself its almost expected of me now.I use flats and struggled big time, especially with keeping my feet in contact with the pedals, then someone very generously gave me a good set and wow what a difference they made.Give them a chance and they will work for you. I was only joking you know that right?
vdLRSA Posted May 28, 2014 Posted May 28, 2014 I think it stands to reason that my ability is certainly not at the same level as some of these highly experienced riders who can judge without fear of being judged back. No I am joking I ran out of talent simple. haha! Ask Mark, he has ridden with me. I fall like an idiot the whole time. Just make sure you stand up, and keep n trying!
eelvio Posted May 28, 2014 Author Posted May 28, 2014 +1 as the saying goes, "flats make you better, cleats make you faster". Cleats can give you a false sense of security wrt technique. With cleats you often see guys compensating by using a pronging going technique, i.e. pulling up with the legs. It's not false if you believe in it, but I probably am compensation.........for technique by having started with cleats.
marko35s Posted May 28, 2014 Posted May 28, 2014 haha! Ask Mark, he has ridden with me. I fall like an idiot the whole time. Just make sure you stand up, and keep n trying! Thats simply not true, in my opinion you fall with style and grace. Although the one on Mamba had me worried at first - I wasnt sure we were going to be able to untangle you and the bike at first.
vdLRSA Posted May 28, 2014 Posted May 28, 2014 Thats simply not true, in my opinion you fall with style and grace. Although the one on Mamba had me worried at first - I wasnt sure we were going to be able to untangle you and the bike at first. Haha, since getting some more coaching from Capricorn and switching to flats + skater shoes, I think/hope I will do waaay better next time!
marko35s Posted May 28, 2014 Posted May 28, 2014 I was only joking you know that right?Yep I did realise but I wasnt joking about how much difference a good set makes.In my case I really struggled for consistent contact with the cheap pedals (in part thanks to an insane amount of sports injuries meaning my right foot is 1. A bit loose and 2. Doesn't exactly point the way nature intended.). The decent pedals not only offer better grip but a much larger and stable platform for balancing on. also got rid of my cheap and cheerful tyres in favour of really good grippy tyres and I can honestly say that the pedals make at least as much difference to the ride as the tyres did.
marko35s Posted May 28, 2014 Posted May 28, 2014 Haha, since getting some more coaching from Capricorn and switching to flats + skater shoes, I think/hope I will do waaay better next time! For a first time up there you were plenty impressive. I wouldnt have ridden half of what you did on my first time up there. If it makes you feel any better I went over the bars at Boulders on my first Tokai outing. It was nine months before I rode that track again lol.Ive also been over the bars on Vasbyt, DH3 and really embarrassingly on the exit to Fairy Garden.
Grey Hubs Posted May 28, 2014 Posted May 28, 2014 Have someone who knows their stuff ride behind you.. You'll be surprised how much you learn from their pointers. In your mind, you are doing everything correct, but your body might be reacting differently. Make sure the chap behind is filming so we can see the epic falls...
eelvio Posted May 28, 2014 Author Posted May 28, 2014 Have someone who knows their stuff ride behind you.. You'll be surprised how much you learn from their pointers. In your mind, you are doing everything correct, but your body might be reacting differently. Make sure the chap behind is filming so we can see the epic falls... Will be doing this with Savage.
gummibear Posted May 28, 2014 Posted May 28, 2014 How often do you fall and what have you done to prevent it? Far to often.
boristheblade Posted November 6, 2014 Posted November 6, 2014 i had a fall at jonkers over the weekend. broke my pinki bone about 1cm from where it connects to the wrist. no excuses here - it was my fault. it was a hot day, i forgot my gloves at home, hands and arms were sweaty - and my left hand slipped off the handle bar grip. no did this not happen on the single track - it happened in a normal gravel/dirt road - i think i wasnt paying attention and hit a small hole/bump and then my hand slipped off. 6 weeks in cast
bebop Posted November 6, 2014 Posted November 6, 2014 i had a fall at jonkers over the weekend.broke my pinki bone about 1cm from where it connects to the wrist. no excuses here - it was my fault. it was a hot day, i forgot my gloves at home, hands and arms were sweaty - and my left hand slipped off the handle bar grip. no did this not happen on the single track - it happened in a normal gravel/dirt road - i think i wasnt paying attention and hit a small hole/bump and then my hand slipped off. 6 weeks in cast I feel you pain of 6 weeks By the look of things I fall once a year and breaking things... Last year November, MTB to Fun gaalens broke a finger..... This year October on the way to the trail came off the bike and broke a rib....
UpShift_Cycles Posted November 6, 2014 Posted November 6, 2014 A bit embarrassed to say I have not fallen this year. Embarrassed yes because I know I have not been on the limit
Guest The Bushpig Posted November 6, 2014 Posted November 6, 2014 Im sporting a lekker chainring "tatoo" on my calf with a nice big avo bruise, from last weekend, rode some descents I was too chicken to do before...didn't quite get it right the first time. Worst prang? new years day this year OTB in the singletrack and landed flat on my face. How I didn't break my nose I don't know bled quite a bit. My nose was swollen for two days and I had a strip of roasties from my forehead to my chin.I believe that You and JPC were indeed poured from the same mould
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.