The journey from small guy to teenager...

[MingtheMerciless]

My mate had an on off affair with his DMR, we called it "the lead sled". He was very quick on it right up until the point it hated him and would forcefully remove him from the saddle, usually into a tree, hedge or outcrop of rock.

[Count Steer]

My mate had an on off affair with his DMR, we called it "the lead sled". He was very quick on it right up until the point it hated him and would forcefully remove him from the saddle, usually into a tree, hedge or outcrop of rock.

Did he call it Christine?

[weeksy]

I have absolutely no idea what we’re doing with this, I’m not even sure it’s a bicycle! Tried it outside earlier and it’s a bit, well, interesting. It ain’t a bike for 50+ year olds who’ve never tried it
It's just alien to me

[Couchy]

I have absolutely no idea what we’re doing with this, I’m not even sure it’s a bicycle! Tried it outside earlier and it’s a bit, well, interesting. It ain’t a bike for 50+ year olds who’ve never tried it
It's just alien to me

I took one down a jump line at pines, like you it was completely alien and even more so over the jumps. I didn’t know it was in the air till it landed. I’m sure great once you get used to it and boy will love it

[weeksy]

Looks like we're hitting Adrenaline alley tomorrow in Corby

[MingtheMerciless]

I can hear the phone conversation now “Mum, I told him not to but he borrowed the DMR and………well……… he’s had a ride in a helicopter…………..”

[weeksy]

I can hear the phone conversation now “Mum, I told him not to but he borrowed the DMR and………well……… he’s had a ride in a helicopter…………..”

I ain't getting on it! No sir.

Maybe somewhere really early in an empty place, but still, mmmm no.

[weeksy]

The boy took a while to get to grips with the bike, after the first hour I thought he was going to head home, but then he found his happy place and started getting to grips with it

The place was rammed, scooters, bikes, just loads of them!




We stayed 4 hours then headed to the pub. I didn't try it!

[weeksy]

[G.P]

That foam pit looks like ace fun, surprised you doidn't have go at a reverse 360 lol

[weeksy]

That foam pit looks like ace fun, surprised you doidn't have go at a reverse 360 lol

Is that similar to a dying whale ? That's how i'd have looked.

We've just been out at the pump track... that was fun ! and hard work...

Vids (of him) to follow.

[weeksy]

[Skub]

That track needs a damn good ironing.

[G.P]

looks like he's got used to the little bike then? He'll still be training on the DH over winter Though?

[weeksy]

looks like he's got used to the little bike then? He'll still be training on the DH over winter Though?

getting there for sure..

Coach wants him on the DH bike less than previously, thoughts are that things like pump/DJ/other stuff can work other skills which then translate back to the DH, as well as the intensity of DH time and time and time again can end in not really having an 'off-season' so they end up getting burnt out.
But when he is on the DH bike, heading to places which instantly take him to/outside his comfort zone and make the abnormal, more normal, so when it's race season again, the stuff he's doing is the stuff that used to scare him and now doesn't.

If i'm being honest (and she'll never see this ) i don't always agree however she's the expert, the ex world champ and ex World Cup DHer... so whilst i may not agree, we are as always going ALL IN with things, doing as we're being asked, hence buying the DJ bike he was on today.

The benefit in terms of fitness is easy to see too, he was sticking in a tonne of effort but without actually pedalling mostly LOL. I was sweating after a couple of laps for sure. So i'm not seeing any downsides to how we're doing stuff at the moment, he's having fun, we're having fun and it's learning new skills, techniques as well.... (for both of us)

[G.P]

Sounds really good, he certainly looks like he's having fun!

[weeksy]

Sounds really good, he certainly looks like he's having fun!

More than i was

I found it quite daunting at first as a few of the entry ramps as STEEP and i was worried, but once i did it, i got a little bit more happy with it, I even tried his DMR and Rotecs Norco bike... Was fun, but must admit they were a step up in terms of 'Arrrghhhh' for me...

It showed me that I have certain things like preferring left handers over right handers, a complete lack of ability to 'pump'.... etc etc... I imagine i looked very like a 50 year old bloke who can't really ride

[Count Steer]

Q? Is DJ 'dirt jumping'? ie doing aerial tricks type of thing. It looks like fun...if you're young enough to bounce

The bike looks v strange, is it solid at the back and lots of boingyness at the front? I can see why the coach thinks it'll increase confidence/control etc. It's a shame the sponsors don't provide all the bikes though.

[weeksy]

Answer, yes.

100mm of travel coil in front, set very stuff and 45-65psi in tyres.

There's a multitude of techniques he'll be learning with any given riding on it, from pumping into and out of corners to pick up speed, to corners themselves and holding speed, manualing which is picking up the front without pedalling

Etc etc.

He can do all of these things, but this is details now, getting them right, better, refined. With the aim that this picks up 1/10th here, there, again, again and that gets him seconds over a track in DH.

Hopefully anyway.

No one can accuse us of not trying

[Count Steer]

Q2 Wots pumping? (I assume it's working the suspension to get more lift in a jump but....)

We can do 'flip chips' next week.