The sweetest trails and riding spots

Pushing through a BMX double


Dear Lee,

I bumped onto your site whilst desperately seeking info on a jumping technique that seems to be difficult to find on the web, at least if one doesn’t know the name of it. So in this video that is attached, Mike Day uses it as per text book example in the first jumps after the gate: he pumps the rear wheel mid-air.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsR_TjG_brU

My question then is, what does this achieve: I think that it is to scrub speed so as to allow for taking the lip of the jump with more speed and then scrub off some mid-air so as to not land too far. Am I correct in my thinking?

Yours,

Rauli

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Tackling the gnar in SoCal


When I’m teaching on the road, I explore the new terrain then map it to my curriculum. We always start with the base of the skills tree and work our way up. A couple weeks ago in Temecula, CA, we climbed high into the gnarly branches.

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Constantly crashing on the BMX bike


Hi Lee, I’ve got a question for you that your blog readers might find entertaining, if not useful. I’m a lifelong cyclist and have been riding (small “r”) for over 30 years. Road, track, cyclocross, triathlon, touring, commuting, mtb, and have just recently started to dabble in BMX. For some inexplicable reason I crash nearly ever session. Sometimes it’s the front tyre that washes out. Other times it’s the rear. Sometimes I have no idea what happened – I just find myself rolling in the dirt trying not to get run over. Sure I crash from time to time on the mtb and during cyclocross, and have gone down on the road a few times as well – but I generally know why and have *never* crashed as much as I seem to on the BMX. Any idea as to what’s up?

Thanks,
Khai

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When you’re ready, you’ll know


I’ve been wanting to ride the Boner Log at Valmont Bike Park for a while. This involves more and steeper air than I’m used to, and I’ve been taking the go-around.

I rode it yesterday! This is not the biggest thing in the world, but it felt awesome, and I hope my process will help some of you master your next challenges (safely).

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Fore-aft balance when jumping


The comments for The end of flat pedals at World Cup downhills? tracked into this subject, and I think it’s pretty interesting. Check it out:

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The end of flat pedals at World Cup downhills?

Richard Cunningham over at Pinkbike wrote a fascinating piece about flat pedals in World Cup downhill racing. This is so good I need to weigh in.

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Pilates on the pump track


Last week my wife and I took a private Pilates class, and it turns out I suck at sitting, standing, walking and pretty much everything else. Our teacher Jordan at Rally Sport Boulder gave me some homework, and I’ve been mixing it into my everyday activities.

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Frustrated by switchbacks


Lee,

Super bummed you are not heading to NorCal, but I am hoping I can ask you one question though. My Kryptonite is switchbacks, I have the absolute worst time on them. I have read your book, taken a few skills clinics (other companies) just plain tried to ride them, and I have the hardest fricken time with them. I don’t know if it is a mental block or something either. Are there any tips and maybe a drill or two I can practice in my driveway or something? I am tired of dismounting when I know that is something my skill level should totally be able to ride with no problems. Thank you!!

Frustrated by switchbacks, -Brandy

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Why no moto?


Lee – I’ve seen from your site that you used to spend some time on the dark side. So, no more moto for you? Is that a function of personal choice, or just not having a dirtbike to ride?
Ken

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Mountain man status for younger Skywalker


Today 13-year-old Chase Willie (proud younger brother of national DH champ Alex Willie) joined the legion of fools that hikes and rides DH at Left Hand Canyon OHV Area.

Chase and I have done some work on the BMX and mountain bikes; today was our first day on the downhill sled.

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Riding Vail on a Saturday


On Saturday I enjoyed a fantastic XC/DH ride in Vail, CO.

It’s great to see so many civilians out having fun on their bikes. I sure had fun too.

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Pinning the DH with Alex Willie


Last weekend Young Skywalker won the national downhill championships — YES! NATIONAL CHAMPION! — and next month he’s heading to Worlds. Yesterday we hit Keystone for a good, old fashioned DH tuneup.

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