Quantcast

"tired of being slow?"

Steve M

Turbo Monkey
Mar 3, 2007
1,991
45
Whistler
That guy rips corners to bits but his explanations weren't very useful. Better to watch him than to listen I reckon!
 

Kanye West

220# bag of hacktastic
Aug 31, 2006
3,740
470
Agreed. "Brake before the corner" isn't terribly profound, but still good to watch different angles of him tearing it up.
 

slowitdown

Monkey
Mar 30, 2009
553
0
his speed through those turns has a lot more to do with what he's doing with his legs, than what he says. the affirmative unweighting when the trailbed rises up allows him to hold speed, instead of having static legs and making the suspension work, which pushes and holds the bike backward relative to the absorption move he's doing with his legs.

there's a section of Hypnosis or Synopsis (don't remember which) that shows Chris Kovarik going through a pumpy, snaky chicane (at the US Open maybe?) that really shows what I'm talking about here.
 
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binary visions

The voice of reason
Jun 13, 2002
22,092
1,132
NC
That guy rips corners to bits but his explanations weren't very useful. Better to watch him than to listen I reckon!
It's so funny, I've found that often times the people that are the best at something are the least capable of explaining why or how to do it. They don't even really understand what they're doing because their body simply functions that way without them thinking.
 

slowmtb

Monkey
Aug 17, 2008
216
0
ChurChur, NZ
his speed through those turns has a lot more to do with what he's doing with his legs, than what he says. the affirmative unweighting when the trailbed rises up allows him to hold speed, instead of having static legs and making the suspension work, which pushes and holds the bike backward relative to the absorption move he's doing with his legs.

there's a section of Hypnosis or Synopsis (don't remember which) that shows Chris Kovarik going through a pumpy, snaky chicane (at the US Open maybe?) that really shows what I'm talking about here.
Your trying to say he absorbs the ups on the trail and pumps the back / berms - Yes?
 

Joss DeWaele

Chimp
Jan 30, 2004
68
0
The SLC
Gene Hamilton at Betterride.net is one of those guys who can both do and teach. Granted, he can't corner as fast as Blinky (no offense Gene), but he gave me some advice that I still tell myself every time I ride: look ahead through the corner. Looking at Blinky's eyes in that video, they are always way out in front of the next turn. Awesome!
 

JRogers

talks too much
Mar 19, 2002
3,785
1
Claremont, CA
It's so funny, I've found that often times the people that are the best at something are the least capable of explaining why or how to do it. They don't even really understand what they're doing because their body simply functions that way without them thinking.
I was going to say the same thing after watching the video. I think in MTB it's very apparent- a lot of fast people are just naturals when they get on the bike.
 

slowitdown

Monkey
Mar 30, 2009
553
0
Your trying to say he absorbs the ups on the trail and pumps the back / berms - Yes?
yep. but just saying "absorb and pump" is pretty general, and could refer only to arms & upper body movements, or could include letting the bike do more of the work.
 

Inclag

Turbo Monkey
Sep 9, 2001
2,750
439
MA
his speed through those turns has a lot more to do with what he's doing with his legs, than what he says. the affirmative unweighting when the trailbed rises up allows him to hold speed, instead of having static legs and making the suspension work, which pushes and holds the bike backward relative to the absorption move he's doing with his legs.

there's a section of Hypnosis or Synopsis (don't remember which) that shows Chris Kovarik going through a pumpy, snaky chicane (at the US Open maybe?) that really shows what I'm talking about here.
:wtf:
 

norbar

KESSLER PROBLEM. Just cause
Jun 7, 2007
11,346
1,587
Warsaw :/
I was going to say the same thing after watching the video. I think in MTB it's very apparent- a lot of fast people are just naturals when they get on the bike.
Even when you practice a lot that doesn't always mean you'll be a good teacher. Teaching/coaching is also an ability that you have to learn.
 
Blinky passed me on that trail in the video this summer at Sol Vista. He looked so smooth and natural and was just playing with the doubles by tire tapping his front wheel on the top of the landers. I ran off the trail trying to watch him:D Some serious talent there.
 

slowitdown

Monkey
Mar 30, 2009
553
0
I'm hearing you brother :thumb:
Ex / current BMXer by any chance ?
no, just some bozo who uses alpine skiing technique to improve his MTB riding.:D

I spend a lot of time doing movement analysis for skiing. I use the movement analysis skills when I watch DH race videos, to spot what makes certain riders quicker through sections. I notice that the riders who make an effort to keep the bike "floating" (minimizing situations where the terrain slows down the rider; holding momentum/speed) are generally more active in their use of their legs as well as the typical rider's use of a lot of arm actions.

you live on the South Island of NZ? lucky man.
 
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Leppah

Turbo Monkey
Mar 12, 2008
2,294
3
Utar
It's so funny, I've found that often times the people that are the best at something are the least capable of explaining why or how to do it. They don't even really understand what they're doing because their body simply functions that way without them thinking.
I'm with you. I have some buddies that race pro DH. I asked them a long time ago how they turn so good. They just said some really weird things that don't really work for you unless you're a natural. After i kinda learned how to turn better and how to explain it, they picked up on what i was sayin and agreed. It was weird. They could just "do it" without thinking about it and they couldn't explain it very well at the time.
 

Matt 891

Chimp
Apr 14, 2008
58
0
Salem, VA
My two cents of advice is to ride pumptracks. and if you dont have one nearby - build one.

also riding a hardtail on trail rides has helped me as of late. Im really learning when to unweight the bike and pick nice lines compared to just plowing. (this goes for general riding, not just corners)
 

Percy

Monkey
May 2, 2005
426
0
Christchurch NZ
It's so funny, I've found that often times the people that are the best at something are the least capable of explaining why or how to do it. They don't even really understand what they're doing because their body simply functions that way without them thinking.
Exactly!:D

Its a rare beast that is that good at both riding and coaching, and Blinky's old team mate is one such rare beast, Im talking about Mr Leov.:thumb:

Having said that, getting off the brakes in turns has helped me get moar speed, untill the next tree jumps out in front of me, or a bakery...............mmm, PIE!:eek:
 

slowmtb

Monkey
Aug 17, 2008
216
0
ChurChur, NZ
Exactly!:D

Its a rare beast that is that good at both riding and coaching, and Blinky's old team mate is one such rare beast, Im talking about Mr Leov.:thumb:

Having said that, getting off the brakes in turns has helped me get moar speed, untill the next tree jumps out in front of me, or a bakery...............mmm, PIE!:eek:
I know that one too well. We need to go tree hugging some day :D
 

slowmtb

Monkey
Aug 17, 2008
216
0
ChurChur, NZ
no, just some bozo who uses alpine skiing technique to improve his MTB riding.:D

I spend a lot of time doing movement analysis for skiing. I use the movement analysis skills when I watch DH race videos, to spot what makes certain riders quicker through sections. I notice that the riders who make an effort to keep the bike "floating" (minimizing situations where the terrain slows down the rider; holding momentum/speed) are generally more active in their use of their legs as well as the typical rider's use of a lot of arm actions.

you live on the South Island of NZ? lucky man.
Yep, it sure is nice down here :thumb:
 

TomBo

Monkey
Jan 13, 2004
300
0
Calgary,Alberta
Coaching is about being able to learn what your student needs. Everyone learns differently and has different skill sets. Knowing how the exploit there raw talent and develop new skills. Communication and trust is key. I learned to ride MX this summer. Hitting that first 80' double, never would have happened with out my friends help. It is really hard for me to absorb something from a vid or book. But if some one watches me or shows me some film of my riding. Then gives me feed back and or a demo. I tend to gain more. Basic skills and ideas are great to get from general media. But don't really help me with the trail in front of me. Mostly because I think I lack self awareness while riding, so making new inputs or recognizing what I am doing wrong. Is really hard, with out a second point of view.
 

Percy

Monkey
May 2, 2005
426
0
Christchurch NZ
I know that one too well. We need to go tree hugging some day :D
I need to fix my bike first!:eek:

Maybe get it done this weekend, if the weather is actually going to be rubbish.:think:

Blinky has always been fast, and looks like he's just playing while being fast, and lose.
 
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igz-

Monkey
Nov 30, 2008
265
0
Santa Cruz
My two cents of advice is to ride pumptracks. and if you dont have one nearby - build one.

also riding a hardtail on trail rides has helped me as of late. Im really learning when to unweight the bike and pick nice lines compared to just plowing. (this goes for general riding, not just corners)

Pumptracks are amazingly helpful for getting the feel for the bike, cornering, and learning how to get the most out of your pump!!

We're makin another one in my friends backyard... it's going to be sickkkkkkk