So where have all the MTB skills gone?

[Wyatt Earp]

There is a certain spruit rat giving lessions.... maybe that will make a good christmas present for you.....

Ermmm no thanks.

[Wyatt Earp]

Just like El Niño flow on that 650B

Like silk

Amazing hey

Exactly that, thus I say my skills aren't good enough for me to race XC.

Some people just don't ever understand it, 5 people can ride the same section and all 5 can clear it without putting a foot down, the rider that rides it the quickest and the smoothest is the  better rider.

That is what sets a World Champ apart from a top 5 finisher .

[TrackGuy]

Some people have more money than others, plain and easy.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Some people have more money than others, plain and easy.

BAHAHAHAHA

 

Equating skill on an MTB with how much money you have. Priceless. 

[nox1111]

BAHAHAHAHA

 

Equating skill on an MTB with how much money you have. Priceless. 

I'm pretty sure that's why the specialized debate is still going strong

[Odinson]

Fitness is good, skill level is acceptable, but the true XCO riders just have so much more flow.

 

That's the elusive unicorn I'm chasing: "flow".

 

It's easy enough to be able to tackle technical terrain and make it when you're only doing 10km/h, but it's something else to have the necessary "flow" to be able to ride technical terrain at high speeds, without the obstacles significantly impeding your speed. 

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

I'm pretty sure that's why the specialized debate is still going strong

no, that's still going on 'cos it's just so easy to get  arise outta them. 

[Johny Bravo]

BAHAHAHAHA

 

Equating skill on an MTB with how much money you have. Priceless. 

A little bit of it is true. I will run out of talent sooner on a R5000 hardtail Scott or Giant or whatever, than on a 120 or 130mm dual suspension trail machine.

[cadenceblur]

Guys, please help me out, just how technical are we talking here? As it can be quite a relative term and is quite specific to one's skill set. I, for one need to brush up on my technical skills and it's something I try and work on, often. Being relatively new to mtb'ing, I am yet to enter a race. I generally ride Tokai and am slowly but surely improving, some sections I admittedly avoid as they just freak me out AT PRESENT.

I'm just looking for a point of reference here.

For instance, How big are these drop offs mentioned?

Any input will be greatly appreciated.

[Guest Omega Man]

That's the elusive unicorn I'm chasing: "flow".

 

I have loads of vlou! Does that count?

[Johny Bravo]

Guys, please help me out, just how technical are we talking here? As it can be quite a relative term and is quite specific to one's skill set. I, for one need to brush up on my technical skills and it's something I try and work on, often. Being relatively new to mtb'ing, I am yet to enter a race. I generally ride Tokai and am slowly but surely improving, some sections I admittedly avoid as they just freak me out AT PRESENT.

I'm just looking for a point of reference here.

For instance, How big are these drop offs mentioned?

Any input will be greatly appreciated.

Apparently pavement height was too much for 25% of the racers at origin of the trails.

[Odinson]

I have loads of vlou! Does that count?

 

Depends on where you got it? 

 

Te min flow maak jou vlou.

[Dicky DQ]

Drop off's were not so much the issue, but more a few stones and rocks on the trails, with a few short power bumps thrown in for good measure.

[Louis for real]

It is unfortunately the organisers fault as they allow entry numbers to a point that the trails cant cope with the numbers - then one slip up from a skilled or unskilled rider along the course leads to a hold up that compounds down the line.

 

Unfortunately we cant get away from this in mass-participation marathon style events these days.

 

Wyatt will say just train harder - but if everyone does this they all get to the "same" fittness and then you still has a butt-load of people in front of you - if one makes a mistake - thats it, back to square one.

 

Its just got to a point now that you need to be selective on the events that you do based upon rider number, trail difficulty, trail length.

 

I think that all riders need to realise that if you are not in the running for a podium you need to just enjoy your ride, if you have to stop, you have to stop! ... Fine you may have personal bests etc, and these may go out the window, but if you are not looking for a win, then you are in the vast majority of rider population and are not a pro ... so just enjoy it - if you dont enjoy it - find another event.

 

And for ALL riders pro or not - you need to be courteous and friendly - everyone started somewhere - so if your event organiser has had a brain-fart and joined the 20km with the 100km for the last 2km ... realise that you are not the only hardcore oke who paid his cash to race and make a plan to go around the other people who are trying just as hard as you are but in their own capacity and capability.

Well said Nige...

[nox1111]

In an ideal world - mtb races should be broken up in 4 classes - and seeded accordingly:

When you enter, you state in which of these seeding classes you want/need to be.

 

A-B: the Fit/Technical superior riders - flying everywhere guys/girls.

C-D: the moderately fit tech riders - slowish climbs, medium on flats, but fun singletrack

E-F: the moderately Fit but tech-disabled - fast climbers, flat sprinters, but singletrack cautious riders.

G-H: The not-so-fit/non-tech riders that want to have a great time, enjoying scenery, honing skills, and not feel massive pressure.  Won't get hurt or hurt anyone else in the process, won't upset faster riders, and will be amongst other riders with the same skill level.

 

 

I'm not the fastest rider out there, and surely not in the top 30% for fitness, I see the value in staying out of the way of strong climbers, as that's what they do well and it's just good riding etiquette, but then I expect the same when I start flying on singletracks or rocky sections.

 

Sure pulling over is sometimes not easy or do-able, but I always say, to people as I catch up on singletrack and I see it is going slow ahead: "Hey; I am behind you, don't worry about it, but if you see a place where you can, please let me jump past".

Only once or twice have I had issues with people flatout refusing, and then I'll recharge my legs and wait for a spot where I can pass and just power past without pushing them off the trail, and give a little 'thanks' smile and chirp.

 

In racing though - that's how it works in my opinion - you gain in some places and you lose in some places - I don't keep faster riders from gaining where they shine - staying right on hard jeeptrack climbs blocking riders, and then I expect the same level of sportsmanship in return. 

[Dicky DQ]

What are you not good at? There must be something. DICK

Sorry Gornilla, I missed you question but here goes:

Left and right hand tight up and down switchbacks, rock gardens, drop off's, rocky climbs of more than 10/%, Gap Jumps, Wheelie's, track stands to name a few. 

 

But that was not the point.

 

The point was that in one of the 1st non dirt roadie rider focused event it was clear as mud that there are a serious lack of skills at the pointier end on the MTB marathon field.

 

I have few skills, and get blown out of the water by my mates on most single track, so much so that I keep admonishing myself for not getting out there and honing the bit I have.

 

 

I was not ripping anyone apart, just commenting on the perceived lack of skills up front. Anyway...