I got into this mountain biking lark too late in life. Gone
was the chance to rely on a youthful, sponge-like brain to help me develop the natural
skills needed to shred with ease (not to mention hours upon hours of free time
to play with.) As a mid 30’s-something year old, each trick has been a lesson
I've learned through experimentation, frustration, applying theory from books
and DVDs, repetitive sessioning and lots of self analysis and critique. I've
also employed coaching along the way to help me unlock a few Eureka moments. It’s
not always a pleasant way to learn the sport as disillusion creeps in where
ability is found lacking. But I feel I’ve developed a decent understanding of
everything I’ve learned and take pride in how far I’ve come (although I still
have a long ways to go. The urge to always go faster, bigger and higher is one
of the driving joys of this sport, and one of its biggest curses.)
Like most riders my age I spend far more time thinking about
riding than actually doing it. During one of these dirt dreaming sessions I
came to realize my learning curve could be broken down into definite stages.
Each milestone reached took me one step closer to achieving the tantalizing satisfaction
that is : Flow. Now, allow me to caveat. I don’t believe I’m able to achieve
flow all the time. Neither have I conquered all the stages I’ve described. And
I’m not a coach. But I think the following is a fair boiling down of everything
I’ve learned and try to put into practice whenever I ride.
The Fear Stage
Perhaps
fear is too strong of a word. We're not yet scaring ourselves on steep,
high consequence technical sections or hitting big drops, but we're not
confidently driving the bike when the trail points south either. We are
passengers giving mechanical input to the bike but we don't yet fully
understanding the feedback our steeds and trails are sending back.
Trepidation constantly tickles the nerves and though the fun factor is
definitely there, confidence has yet to be earned. Body position might
not be quite correct so it often feels like you're sat too high up on
the bike and failure to clear any obstacle or section of challenging
trail can result in going over the bars. At the mercy of gravity and the
undulating terrain, we exercise control through the only way we know
how - by constantly dragging the brakes to keep speed in check.
This
is the beginner stage where technical singletrack and open, gravelly
fire road all feel the same. Speed is something to be reigned in and
descents are challenges to be endured. Getting through in one piece is
the primary objective. We enjoy it, but we don't yet have the confidence
to really own it.
To
leave this stage, we must first learn to brake correctly. Simply
applying either brake without proper control will pitch the rider
forward doing all sorts of bad things to body position, weighting and
traction. This leaves the rider with less control which in turn dims
confidence. The rider brakes even more as uncontrolled speed becomes
something that induces the run away train feeling of fear.
Learning to Brake
This
is the first real stage of achieving flow on the trail. Applying the
brakes in short, controlled bursts as a means of maintaining traction is
the goal. Dropping the heels at these moments counters the momentum of
the body pitching forward as the bike decelerates. A good neutral body
position is maintained which keeps the bike balanced. A balanced,
controlled bike induces confidence so braking is used only as needed.
The habit of dragging the brakes begins to be broken.
Learning to Unweight
Recoil
from the bike happens often, for example when braking force is released
or when coming out of a bermed corner. This recoil can also be induced
with a quick preload and release of the bike's suspension, eg bouncing
on the pedals. When in this state, the bike is less susceptible to being
deflected off course by rough terrain. This un-weighting of the bike is
a key component to finding flow as it allows the bike to float over
technical trail sections that would otherwise cause the rider to slow
down (either because of trail topology sapping momentum or through rider
braking to regain control in a challenging section.) Un-weighting also
allows the rider to easily manipulate the bike as it becomes momentarily
weightless, eg flopping the bike from one lean to the opposite side to
change direction between chicane corners.
As
un-weighting becomes familiar, it can be exaggerated so the bike is
pulled tight to the rider as the arms and legs bend to accommodate. This
is the perfect setup to push the bike back into the dirt and create the
pump......
Pumping the Trail
Wise
old men of the mountain will say "if you're not pedaling, you should be
pumping." Use of this technique should become the default way to ride
any descent (and most flat sections) in order to maintain control and
carry speed. Not only does it allow the rider to squeeze extra momentum
out of the trail, it stops the riding high and feeling like a passenger
sensation that can happen during the early stages of learning. Pumping
keeps the arms and legs loose and in sync with the terrain. Body weight
settles low in the bike's chassis so the trail feels less harsh. Riding
feels smoothed and more relaxed. This can only have one effect -
increasing control.
The compression stage of the pump (loading
the suspension) creates incredible grip. Squashing the bike and tires
into the dirt with deliberate force can often create enough grip that
the need to brake in order to maintain control is made redundant. Often
when people brake it is a reaction to feeling loss of control of the
bike (either through speed increasing or trail conditions changing.)
However it isn't always a scrubbing of speed that is required to
maintain control, it is a need for better grip.
Flow
The
Holy Grail. Achieving flow depends on more than just the mastery of
technique. The delicate balance where ability meets challenge requires
many stars to be in perfect alignment. However it is possible to give
flow a helping hand. A nudge in the right direction. Once pumping
becomes (almost) unconscious the trail morphs into something new.
Individual sections that used to require their own unique problem
solving (and often slowing down for) become threaded together into one
continuous motion. Everything feels fluid, regardless of trail
technicality. Sometimes it even feels slow and its only a Strava sanity
check that confirms you are riding fast. You are in the zone. This
effortless feeling requires a lot of effort to maintain, yet it feels
like the bike and body are bearing this effort. The mind is freed to
live in the exact moment and soak in the sheer pleasure of achieving
flow.
