hahahahhahh


It takes me a while to warm up. I'm usually clumsy at the beginning of a ride and at my max skill level later in the day....once fatigue sets in i get sloppy again. It's funny because i ride with one guy that is pretty good early on, but fades about the time I get warmed up.

 

I usually have my bad days when I focus too close on the front wheel. Better days when I pick a line from 40 feet and hit it. The suspension is better at taking bad hits than I am at picking a good line.

 

When I'm in a funk, I use a trick from my snowboarding days - I tilt my head back so I'm looking out farther ahead and press my knees together to center my balance. It helps with *nearly* every activity I do.

 

You know...I tried squeezing my knees closer together, but the motorcycle kept getting in the way.

 

I'm also a believer in the biorhythms. I know I have "good days" and "bad days" however a few ways to make sure to beat the funk is make sure your "ready".

I do a few things.

Night before a ride:
Lay out gear
Make sure gopro is installed/charged with spare memory
Pack my ride bag with tools
Fill my hydration system up, and make sure I have ice cubes in the freezer.

Morning of ride:
Begin hydrating. 2 bottles of water before I even ride atleast.
Check the bike. Tire pressure, tighten any bolts, inspect brakes, ect.
Warm up, I do this in a few phases. I use the 10 minute ride to stand up, bounce around on the bike, make sure I find the balance points..Look like a goon to anyone who is watching >_>
Once I get to the ride area I do a easy 20-30% "inspection" run. I mentally note any issues with the course or my body, and adjust accordingly.

Once all that's done, I enjoy the ride!

Another thing is don't get upset if you fall. It's understandable if you do, I did when I first started riding. But frustration causes more mistakes. Pick up the bike, and set it so it won't fall. Take a drink and think about what caused the fall. Once you've figured out "why" you fell, you can work to correct it!


I learned early on that I would target fixate on a obstacle, and that caused me to fall alot. Even with 7 years of street training, track riding ect with supersport bikes. The thought of riding off road made me forget everything! I had to force myself to "look ahead" ID the obstacles, prepare for them, and over come them without "focusing" on them with your eyes. Aways look ahead, and prepare for the next task. This helped with my balance, and nerves. I learnt to trust my bike, and my body to handle what needed to be done, instead of freaking out because their was a small ledge to my left..lol!

Sorry for the long winded story!

 

Then stand up! Unless you're standing behind the bike in which case my method won't help.

 

I'm a firm believer in tempting fate and betting on yourself that you wont fall down that 6th time. Take the busted up bike and own the trail that beat your ***. I mean, don't fix it first just in case it wins again.

 

Who can argue with logic like that?