lightniingAccomplished this goal
Just posting an update as this season draws to an end.
I’ve got some hints for those who want to try this. First, have someone SHOW you a trail if you go alone by yourself you can get lost, I got lost for three hours one day and it was not fun.
EAT VERY WELL the day before and morning-of before going. You will burn like 5000 calories on this one day.
Next, MAKING A LIST helped me a great deal. If you get all the way to the trail and you forgot your keys, boots, or something you are going to be way bummed. So here is a sample list for you, make your own;
- WATER I just use a recycled 2-liter Pepsi bottle (I leave it in the car and I take some water in a Camel-Back pack with me.)
- In the summer I freeze half the bottle
- FOOD a sandwich and a couple of power bars or the like.
- Helmet/ Goggles/ Boots/ gloves/ shinguards
- Clothing socks riding pants riding oversized jersey
(big enough so you can wear sweatshirt underneath if need be.) - Chain oil, gear oil, 2-cycle oil and gasoline (I don’t bring a can, I ride all day on one tank usually.)
- Keys for lock, car, licence, registration, a belt-pack to carry this in with some tools;
- Belt pack: Clutch lever, brake lever (Spares they break off sometimes on crashes) 4-way screwdriver and adjustable wrench. Some suggest soldering iron for fixing cables (weird – I don’t.)
Riding tips:
1) Warm up on the trail nearest the car, if anything breaks you want to be nearby plus you can return for more water and rest before really tackling the day’s ride. Start out slow and remember it’s just a warm up for your bike but also for your muscles to get used to the motion, work out the kinks in your back or whatever. For me it loosens up my shoulders. Also it makes me warm up a lot so when I get back to the car I can ditch the sweathshirt and not be hot all day. In the summer this is the time when I might switch to a lighter shirt. So you can see the warm up ride is important to help to guage the weather and how you feel, too, before being too far away from the car.
2) Rocky parts of trails – go faster over these than you think, the tires will ride up over most of the rocks and it will seem to float. It’s actually more difficult if you go slower.
3) Down hills – STAND UP, extend out your arms as far as they will go so you can lean way back let the bike go first. Don’t use front brake much (you’ll flip). Do NOT sit, as the first rock will bounce you forward if you do.
4) Up Hills – STAND UP, lean WAY tottally far forward over the handlebars even if you can. Go into the hill with at least a small bit of speed. Keep it in 2nd or 1st gear you will definately be in 1st by the top so get ready to downshift or just go in 1st gear. Try to pick your line of ride before you attack. Keep moving if you can. If you get stuck and/or fall over, get up immediately or the bike will be difficult to restart.
GRIN LIKE CRAZY when you reach the top!
Don’t take any long break while riding or you’ll achieve cooldown which is not what your muscles will want. If you are overexerted, ride a small bit slower so you can cool down and/ or sit on the seat when you can.
Mostly, STAND UP all the time while riding with your knees slightly bent.
REGISTER your bike. It’s cheap. Tickets are not.
Unfortunately, I was reminded the hard way this year.
WORK OUT during the off season so you can start the new season already in shape. This really helps. Don’t just do pushups, but work obliques, trapezoids, legs and definately do some rows to keep your back in shape. These are all motions that are used on motorcross.
Finally, my friend lost his i-phone this year – don’t let this happen to you, if you bring cellphone/camera secure it extremely well (and insulate it somehow to prevent crash damage to it.)
HAVE FUN!
POST HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hope this helps someone.
It would be cool if they posted back here. 4 years ago
