Is the route technical?...

[Sniffie]

However by pointing out there might be something dangerous around every corner makes the rider which is scared to fall already, even more nervous on something that's not dangerous and he ends up falling from being nervous and twitchy and bombs out his confidence even more.

This is very true, I have seen the above scenario on more than just a couple of occasions.

[Naas Vermaak]

This is very true, I have seen the above scenario on more than just a couple of occasions.

 

The opposite is also applicable where, unnecessary DANGER signs were put up and then after a km or two past the "place of danger" you're still wondering when it will come. Firstly, you waste time in slowing down and secondly you start thinking the "danger signs" is a nuisance and then the very next one can catch you out.

[Skubarra]

The opposite is also applicable where, unnecessary DANGER signs were put up and then after a km or two past the "place of danger" you're still wondering when it will come. Firstly, you waste time in slowing down and secondly you start thinking the "danger signs" is a nuisance and then the very next one can catch you out.

 

Exactly this happened to me at the De Doorns race!!

[Sniffie]

The opposite is also applicable where, unnecessary DANGER signs were put up and then after a km or two past the "place of danger" you're still wondering when it will come. Firstly, you waste time in slowing down and secondly you start thinking the "danger signs" is a nuisance and then the very next one can catch you out.

I think you misunderstood my previous post. What you describe above is precisely what I was talking about. Putting up DANGER signs left right and centre where it is not really needed serves no purpose and can even be more dangerous. I did a race once where the longer distance joined up with the shorter distances towards the end. On this part of the route every 30 cm drop was marked with 3 down arrows and skull and cross bone signs erected for each slightly rocky section. Every one started ignoring the signs, but with about 5 km to go there was a real big drop off just after a corner. A lot of people went over the handle bars because they ignored the 3 arrow sign and carried to much speed into the obstacle.

[Bizkit031]

This is easy, similar question to consider, do tattoo's hurt, yes. Does the route have technical sections, yes. If you see three arrows showing down head up bum back and hold on.

Wahahaha well said.

[Bizkit031]

 

 

Clinics will only teach you that much, unless you dedicate an hour or 2 per week to train your skills and apply theory on the trail, a clinic on its own won't make you a better rider.

 

The following videos have helped me a lot over the last two years, but the key was to train, train, train and apply theory on the trail.

 

A quick and fun way to improve your skills exponentially is Pump Track riding. Find your nearest one and ride it once a week for 30min or so.

 

 

 

 

 

These Vids do work,and if you keep using them and fine tuning your technique you will see a different rider very quickly.

[LegsEleven]

I love technical races, the more rocks and obstacles the better. The only downside though is that technical sections in races can cause major bottlenecks as people are to affraid of them. (2013 94.7 MTB race comes to mind)

[Matchstix]

People are scared of low water bridges or even a dip in the road

[Hairy]

Clinics will only teach you that much, unless you dedicate an hour or 2 per week to train your skills and apply theory on the trail, a clinic on its own won't make you a better rider.

 

The following videos have helped me a lot over the last two years, but the key was to train, train, train and apply theory on the trail.

 

A quick and fun way to improve your skills exponentially is Pump Track riding. Find your nearest one and ride it once a week for 30min or so.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gF5K9V2w6W8&app=desktop

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdTSuq8s-eA&app=desktop

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6mKqihL_Xo&app=desktop

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZKhkyoOcdg&app=desktop

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlzvjcUM4XE&app=desktop

I watched those a couple of times and also walked away with a French accent .....

 

Good Vids with clear explanation

[Izak]

I've seen guys in A and B bunches that could not spell technical nevermind ride it!!

 

It's like learning to play guitar and never trying out a song with a difficult cord in it somewhere, yes you will get really really good at A C D E etc. but hit an F or anything slightly more challenging and it will ruin the fact that you have ability to play the others well.

(I know this as I am currently in the process of learning to play acoustic )

 

But learn how to play an F (read take a drop off or fly into a berm no brakes or do a trackstand or ride rocky terrain etc) and you will be able to enjoy much nicer songs (riding / races) and look better doing it

 

Start on the lawn with stuff like track stands and fall your knees f.... up because you could not hold the stand or click out in time. Repetition repetition until you get it and next time when you hit that unsuspecting rocky section and lose momentum you will not have to click out but ride the damn thing

 

Learn it, Live it, Love it man!!

[TALUS]

I've seen guys in A and B bunches that could not spell technical nevermind ride it!!

 

It's like learning to play guitar and never trying out a song with a difficult cord in it somewhere, yes you will get really really good at A C D E etc. but hit an F or anything slightly more challenging and it will ruin the fact that you have ability to play the others well.

(I know this as I am currently in the process of learning to play acoustic )

 

But learn how to play an F (read take a drop off or fly into a berm no brakes or do a trackstand or ride rocky terrain etc) and you will be able to enjoy much nicer songs (riding / races) and look better doing it

 

Start on the lawn with stuff like track stands and fall your knees f.... up because you could not hold the stand or click out in time. Repetition repetition until you get it and next time when you hit that unsuspecting rocky section and lose momentum you will not have to click out but ride the damn thing

 

Learn it, Live it, Love it man!!

Funny that - how do they get into A and B? Lucky draw? Oh maybe if you trackstand too much you never ride enough to get fit - just a thought. Use it, don't use it...

(not aimed at you since I don't have an idea what your abilities are)

[Izak]

Funny that - how do they get into A and B? Lucky draw? Oh maybe if you trackstand too much you never ride enough to get fit - just a thought. Use it, don't use it...

(not aimed at you since I don't have an idea what your abilities are)

 

No obviously fitness, power, core strength etc are fundamentally important and come before any technical ability in my personal opinion. (They are like the A C D E cords )

But to improve you overall ability as a rider the rest is important too and makes your ride just so much more enjoyable.

Lets face it, it's MTB so if you're in it to just ride district roads you are missing the point and a whole stack of fun with it imo.

 

Rule #5

[Super Sywurm]

I'll ask before a race how technical it is, because more is better!

[RockCoach]

I love technical races, the more rocks and obstacles the better. The only downside though is that technical sections in races can cause major bottlenecks as people are to affraid of them. (2013 94.7 MTB race comes to mind)

 

That's why we do Enduros.

[Sharkie 2]

I have been mountainbiking for about 8 years and I think that the average Joe's skills and fitness have improved over time. I also enjoy the more technical stuff, never been to a skills clinic. Not because I don't think I will benefit from it, only because nothing available here in the platteland. I try to learn online and practice what I see on youtube. Luckily we have a few technical spots on our 2 River course here in Bothaville to try and stay sharp.

My oom bly in Bothaville....wat n lekker dorpie

[TALUS]

 

 

That's why we do Enduros.

And that is exactly it! If the name says Enduro I know that I am way out of my league. Right or wrong it has evolved so that XCM is now seen by the middle of the bunch as endurence events with some basic tech. I find the W2W (at B bunch pace) as tech as needed to have fun and not to feel like a dirtroad event. Naturaly an event organiser can put in what he or she wants to but be aware that the majority of riders (read "the paying crowd") will at least expect a warning that the route (new to them) has a bit of tech ahead.