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Post by kazowie on May 2, 2010 14:49:19 GMT -5
I'm new to the area and recently bought a 2010 Cannondale RZ One Forty 4, a decent step up from the old hardtail I used to ride. I've hit FATS a few times (as often as I can anyway), although I am yet to make it to Brown Wave. I love the trails but I am still getting used to spending a good amount of time in the air. I had a moment of truth on Deep Step which caused me to slow down and concentrate on technique more.
I'm feeling settled on the bike now and after tightening the rebound on the suspension I am feeling much more in control (I'm 6 ft and 200 pounds). There are still occasions when I am very close to another flying endo. This mostly happens when I think I can ride / pump a section but my back wheel pops up unexpectedly. I would prefer to pump and not jump to keep control and speed, but obviously there are times this just isn't an option. I would love to be able to ride as shown on the great YouTube video from a couple of years back (FATS - March, 2006. Nat rides The Brown Wave).
Anyone got any tips for taking FATS on? I've gone through a lot of stuff online for tips and techniques, but thought a little local knowledge would be invaluable.
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Post by brianW on May 2, 2010 17:16:57 GMT -5
I try to keep the wheels on the ground. On a serious note, when hitting a section that has dips in them I keep my head at the same level, if possible, as if the trail is smooth. At the top of a dip I am more "crunched" up but going down into the dip I "stand up" pushing the bike down. Maybe "pumping" the dips for say. That is the best way I can describe it.
Another thing I still do and encourage others to do is watch other riders and how they ride the trail, pick their lines, etc. I learned a lot, and still am, doing just that.
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Post by DK on May 2, 2010 19:25:53 GMT -5
I try to keep the wheels on the ground. On a serious note, when hitting a section that has dips in them I keep my head at the same level, if possible, as if the trail is smooth. At the top of a dip I am more "crunched" up but going down into the dip I "stand up" pushing the bike down. Maybe "pumping" the dips for say. That is the best way I can describe it. Another thing I still do and encourage others to do is watch other riders and how they ride the trail, pick their lines, etc. I learned a lot, and still am, doing just that. +1 on what brianw says. I'm kinda in the same boat with my new Trance. I rode it on Brown wave for the first time Friday afternoon and got a little carried away. I had one of those "moments of truth" on one of the dips. I learned that until the capabilities of the rider catches up with the capabilities of the bike, the best technique for me is to become more accustomed to those new fangled disc brakes. ;D
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Post by dgaddis1 on May 2, 2010 20:39:55 GMT -5
The trick is - don't let the bike push you around. At the top of a roller, you want to let your arms and legs absorb the upward momentum of the bike. If you stiffen up, the bike will just push you into the air. Soak it up.
Just keep riding! You'll get it.
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Post by kazowie on May 3, 2010 20:13:45 GMT -5
Great stuff,
thanks guys, it's the kind of straight forward advice I can keep in my head when I hit those sections. What about those bigger ones you know you are going to get air on? Do people pump off the top, move your weight back taking the handlebars with you or just go front end in and develop a new love for your Fox fork? A lot of techniques online suit deliberate jumps, but the trail is more unpredictable...
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Post by dgaddis1 on May 4, 2010 6:37:52 GMT -5
As you get better you'll find that even some of the big dips you can ride fast without leaving the ground.
But yeah, sometimes, you're just going too fast, and you will come off the ground. You need to know what your landing looks like before you do that. You want to land on a downward slope, or flat ground. You don't want to land on an upslope...it's tough on your body and bike.
Land both tires at the same time, or the rear slightly before the front. So, if you land on a downward slope, you need to push the front wheel down. Otherwise you'll land heavy on the rear wheel.
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Post by wooglin on May 4, 2010 19:09:14 GMT -5
This mostly happens when I think I can ride / pump a section but my back wheel pops up unexpectedly. I bet this happens most when you're on the brake just as you crest the rise and begin to get airborne. Even the back brake will do it. Do your braking as you approach and get off them at the last second.
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Post by azdrawdy on May 4, 2010 22:50:10 GMT -5
betterride.net/'Nuff said, although this will kill the thread. Mountain biking is not intuitive. How many of your friends are shocked when they actually see the types of trails we ride? How many of you know roadies that are actually frightened of hitting the trails? Professional golfers have coaches. Lance has a cycling coach. Professional athletes at all all levels have coaches. Athletes at all levels have coaches! You actually should "practice" more than you just "ride"! This dude had me dropping 3 three foot root drops (in a row) like they were one-inch lips. I jumped parking bump-stops like match-sticks in day two, without looking at them. How many of you realize that you do not have to look at an obstacle on the ground to 100% miss it every time (hint: it's called peripheral vision). How many people on these forums are actually scared to use their front brakes stongly? As far as riding rollers and dips fast, the secret is actually to put your chest almost on your stem. Elbows out. You look straight out, stay centered over the bottom bracket. Once again: betterride.net/I learned more in three days of being coached than I have in 25 years of mountain biking. MD
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Post by onmybike on May 6, 2010 16:04:50 GMT -5
my moment of truth last year ended up as a grade II shoulder separation. One other tidbit I'd ad is to stand on the pedals at 9 and 3 oclock hovering over the saddle. As you absorb the crest as others mentioned use your legs as shock abosbers also giving your bike dual rate suspension. Your quads will scream after a while but it will certainly help.
Be careful, I've ridden in many states across the US and have seen more injuries at FATS that nearly any other place, usually collar bones or shoulders from a result of "high flying".
Tis
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Post by kazowie on May 6, 2010 20:24:16 GMT -5
Appreciate the input from everybody. I am picturing myself on the bike now and I know I have been guilty of being too stiff and not using the brake properly. I really like the idea of doing a class. Maybe enough support could be drummed up for one in Augusta (maybe after the summer)?
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Post by mhanna on May 7, 2010 21:17:18 GMT -5
An exclamation point to what JT said. Came upon a rider from Atlanta today who had just crashed on that double hump. He landed so hard he busted his helmet clean in two. I've never seen anyone hit the ground so hard they crack their helmet open. We bandaged up his bleeding leg and got him to the parking lot by the FR. He was headed to the Urgent Care facility in Evans to get his head xrayed.
The people who need to see this probably don't read this forum but EVERYBODY should have a helmet. No exceptions.
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Post by kazowie on May 8, 2010 14:03:41 GMT -5
What a difference taking this advice made! Had a fantastic ride on my last FATS visit. Didn't spend time in the air, went a lot faster and more importantly I was in control. I realize how stiff I had been on the bike. Getting up on the legs, forward over the bars with the elbows out and not applying the brakes over a dip made all the difference. I set my suspension and tire pressure to be a little softer but I'm not sure how much difference that really made, technique was the key.
Thanks to everyone for taking the time to post. It really helped a lot ;D
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Post by brianW on May 8, 2010 15:09:23 GMT -5
An exclamation point to what JT said. Came upon a rider from Atlanta today who had just crashed on that double hump. He landed so hard he busted his helmet clean in two. I've never seen anyone hit the ground so hard they crack their helmet open. We bandaged up his bleeding leg and got him to the parking lot by the FR. He was headed to the Urgent Care facility in Evans to get his head xrayed. The people who need to see this probably don't read this forum but EVERYBODY should have a helmet. No exceptions. Were they in the lot around 1:30? If so it was their first time at FATS. Brown Wave bit back. I know they treated one other rider yesterday (Friday) at the NMBP tent for the same.
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Post by mhanna on May 8, 2010 15:25:49 GMT -5
Brian,
That was him. We sent them up the FR from Brown and went on to ride lower skinny. When we got to the lot at 1:30 they had just arrived. We went to do Bartram this morning and there he was in the lot with a new helmet. Said they gave him the okay at the urgent care facility. He rode BT out and back with a group of us and he was really slow at first but started feeling stronger and finish the ride up front. I was amazed.
By the way, the buddy that was riding with him Friday at FATS also crashed on BW and hurt his hand. When I asked about him this morning he said he was gone to have it x-rayed as it had swollen so much over night. FATS may not be technical but it still can bite hard as even seasoned riders have learned.
MH
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Post by dgaddis1 on May 8, 2010 19:54:19 GMT -5
I think a lot of people went down in the last fee days. I heard some one in the parking lot say "I've never seen so many experienced riders bleeding!!"
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Post by kazowie on May 13, 2010 20:43:09 GMT -5
Okay, today I was on Brown Wave, over-confident and I just wasn't feeling the bike. This represents my learning curve: Goes well with cheese! I'm pretty sure I was rumbled by a forum member or two when I got back to the car park (walking)! Just doing my bit for the local economy!
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Post by dsquaredmsquared on May 13, 2010 20:59:23 GMT -5
Ouch!!! Was that you walking up the Forest Service Road (662) about 6:15 tonight? Out of the corner of my eye, I thought I saw someone walking up the road with their bike. Normally don't see folks hoofing (their bikes) up that road.
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Post by brianW on May 14, 2010 6:53:05 GMT -5
Okay, today I was on Brown Wave, over-confident and I just wasn't feeling the bike. This represents my learning curve: Goes well with cheese! I'm pretty sure I was rumbled by a forum member or two when I got back to the car park (walking)! Just doing my bit for the local economy! You want some sour cream and salsa with that taco? glad you were able to get out on your own
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Post by mhanna on May 14, 2010 8:20:18 GMT -5
We all been there at one time or another. That one's a whole lot easier to take than a broken body part. Glad you were okay. Another reason why it's good to have a riding buddy if possible.
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Post by onmybike on May 14, 2010 9:34:09 GMT -5
Ohhh, that's no fun but is always a good reason to by a sweet set of I9 wheels!
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