Feet and hips, feet and hips


I’m always impressed at how the same basic movement patterns seem to apply to all sports. Two of the most important dynamics for a mountain biker are 1) staying balanced on your feet and 2) driving powerfully from your hips.

Those skills are also important in the NFL. Today I had an All Pro linebacker on my pump track, and he killed it.

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10-lap pump track radness intervals


Thank goodness for pump tracks, and double-extra thank goodness for the pump track in my yard. So far this winter, I’ve been trying to mix up base intervals on the trainer and radness intervals on the pump track. That’s when I’m not shoveling snow off the track.

Check out this action. It might give you some ideas for your own training.

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Bike for Texas (and other) trails?


Dear Lee:

Great to read that your recent clinic in Texas was a smashing success! I hope you will have time to head down to Austin again for an open clinic in the near future. I have no doubt that you would fill several.

I’m currently riding a Stumpjumper FSR Expert 29 am considering either the 2012 version of the same bike or else the Camber Carbon Expert 29. I ride almost exclusively on the rocky and technical side of the Greenbelt (since your report listed some of the trails, I typically ride: Ed’s Bowl, Ridge Trail, Hill of Life, Sweet 16, Pump House, and Travis Country).

At any rate, which of these bike do you think better suits our terrain down here? I never blow through all 130mm of my current travel, and I wouldn’t mine a more maneuverable bike in the trees. At the same time, I don’t want to be punished for my frequent sucking, and the Stumpy is a bit slacker and has a thru axel front rather than just oversized end caps. I’d be on a medium and my weight runs 185-200, depending on the season.

I’d love any advice you have, and please let me know if there is anything I can do to help get you down here again.

I hope all is well with you and your family.

Best,
Scott

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I wanna ride like a spring-loaded gazelle

What’s up Lee!

Hope you’re having a good winter season and thanks for all the information you have been sharing.

I have been working on DH skills for some time now but I can’t figure out how the pros seem to bound over any obstacle like gazelles. My pump technique feels like it is improving but when I look at videos of myself I look like I’m glued to the ground instead of the spring-loaded/light-as-Gwin style I hope to achieve.

It was suggested by a friend that I work on learning bump jumps in addition to figuring out what’s going on with my pump technique. Since his technique looks just as crappy as mine I figured I’m better off asking you for advice. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Mahalo,

Keoni

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A year on Captain America


Captain America — my experimental Stumpjumper HT EVO 26 — has been fighting crime for almost a year. Here’s the long-term report:

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Cold and snowy, but pumping it up

The pump track in my yard has seen a few hundred laps, and it’s bedding in nicely. Thanks to diligent snow shoveling, Farid and I enjoyed a nice sesh yesterday.

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Enduro 29?


Hi Lee

I’m thinking of selling my 2010 Enduro and getting a 2012 Spec FSR 29er as I feel overbiked for the majority of my riding. The problem is I can’t decide which – I rode an XL carbon camber and was blown away by how good it felt (really like a super stable 26 inch bike and the first bike really fit my 6ft6 body). However I’m really tempted by a Stumpjumper or SJ Evo 29er. Trails round here are a mix of rooty, twisty, muddy gnar and open moors – no rocks but plenty technical. What are your opinions on the different models?

Thanks
Matt

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Brains for Braaap

Also a one-ride review of the 2011 Specialized Epic EVO 29

By now everyone knows Specialized Epics are badass XC race machines. Regarding the S-Works Epic 29, Mountain Bike Action said, “This is the best mountain bike we have ever ridden.” Epics are used by skinny nerds the world over to win races and wax their buddies. But I’m here to tell you the Brain is not just about pedaling. It’s about braaap.

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Short but good interview with Ned Overend

Ned is a legend in our sport and — more importantly — a really nice guy. I’ve had the pleasure of chatting with him, interviewing him and even signing books to him. The Dirt Rag site has an interview with Ned. Here’s my favorite quote.

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DH riding style: Moto vs. MTB

Hi Lee,

I’m lovin’ your new Teaching Mountain Bike Skills book. It goes over all the essentials in really thorough point by point detail. The section on the attack position is a thing of beauty.

I really like the points made about riding to always see and set yourself up for your next turn. I think this is an extremely effective way to use your vision on your bike and keep looking farther forward. I even have been implementing it while climbing, and it has improved my climbing and made me faster. By looking for the next corner you always have something in your mind to focus on, and forces you to keep your head up. My first few times doing this my eyes were literally sore by the end of the ride.

As a side note, when people refer to a style of dh riding as Moto-style, what exactly does that mean? How does it differ from mountain bike style?

Thanks,

MAX

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First ride: LeMond Revolution with Power Pilot


As some of you know, I’m a huge fan of the LeMond Revolution trainer. It has a solid base and a realistic feel — and it’s the only trainer I’ve ridden that accurately simulates acceleration. Yesterday I did my first session with the accompanying Power Pilot computer.

More details to come, but for now:

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Rebuilding Lyons Bike Park

In September the Devil Dash 5K ran a bunch of people through Lyons Bike Park — and the jumps were muddy — and the jumps were ruined. This week we’ve been busy rebuilding the step-ups, tables and rollers. Everything is riding well and ready for tomorrow’s snow to help pack it in.

Photos at the Lee Likes Bikes Facebook page


Adam Wasson did some great work over the past few days. Here he tests the rollers as only an expert BMX racer can.