Ian, Rob and Simon made the trip down to Herfordshire to see me for their session. The snow from the previous 9 days had disappeared and the sun was out for us. I identified the missing skills that needed work during my skills check and I also made A simple set up change to Simon's bike and that made a massive difference to his control.We began as always with the drop technique and they applied both their physical and mental skill sets to this. Their new body position, footwork and looking enhancement really paid off.
After a while and all 3 drops were ridden, we moved onto the skills trail itself and I broke the trail down into bite sized chunks and we worked on the 14 sections contained within.
Pumping was first and this gained energy set the speed for the trail. They then rode the following berm and flat corner, later adding in a rock garden and 2 more corners. After a short break we went back to the trail and I showed why their skill set applied to getting air from a fly out jump and linked it to a corner with a step on the exit. Now they were really beginning to fly as they rode 9 sections all linked together smoother and faster than before.
I showed how to link the drop and corner techniques using line choice and before they knew it they were linking the 14 sections together and laughing as they did! Rob was railing the trail and any errors were already identified by the riders as they now knew why anything went wrong and why it was right. Ian's cornering speed went through the roof as he explored grip using his new skill set.
After a few runs, I moved us onto our last technique of jumping a 6ft tabletop. All three of them at the start of the day had serious doubts about this but were now chomping at the bit and one by one they began sailing over it. Simon even rode the gap jump side a couple of times too!
The lads were now tired mentally and were happy to end the session right there to a cold beer and a tour of the woodwork.
Amazing session guys, high5!
Yesterday was a much needed training day with jedi, simonm and myself plus another mate are serial bike swappers and parts buyers. All in a vague attempt to improve our skillz.
ReplyDeleteWe booked jedi in the hope he could make us all a bit smoother and give us simple techniques to ride better. After my initial hangover fuelled scepticism and anxiety we pulled up at hearts shore. Firstly - WOW how fucking cool is this place! The north shore is massive and immensely ridiculously hard - 18ft vert ramp anybody??
When we arrived our van man si managed to get the vito stuck in the mud, this helped to break the ice as Tony pissed himself at teh northern monkeys and their ineptitude.
Anyhow we got bikes out and kit whilst tony brewed fresh coffee. We sat down for 30 mins or so and chilled over coffee with Tony telling us anecdotally about his life. By now the hangover fog was clearing.
We started off with a bike and skills check, corners and unweighting. During this time he kept a close eye on us to pick up how best to teach us. Luckily we all learn well visually.
we moved over to the 3 drops and the table top - the first drop looked ok - about 8" high but the rest - fuck me!
Anyway the way which Tony teaches and coaches took the pressure off and we were soon sailing over the bigger drop (as anyone who knows me will testify, me and air time do not mix) but this seemed so smooth and so natural, no trying to shoehorn a million body changes in - just simple small, smooth moves - and as Ian says "BOOOOOOOM".
We then started on the cornering and pumping on a cracking track built by the man himself. We had an hour or so but i then became knackered so we stopped for lunch and a chat.
Back to it and he had us flying out of birms up steep steps with air time and then dropping into a birm. Quality!
The final part of the day was the table top that looked stupid in the morning - 6ft
soon enough with his coaching - getting faster, bringing it back, then faster again and so on we were all sailing over a jump i would previously thought that only 15 year olds in their sisters skinny jeans could do!!
Mentally and physically fucked we retired for a beer and tour of the shore. Cracking place but i will leave it as Tony's secret.
The day consisted of basics that we are all sure will improve our fun on a bike. Definitely worth the £100 each - top coach and top bloke - Cheers Jedi - You da man!