The best mountain biking in north central Missouri
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The best mountain biking in north central Missouri


 
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 Technique Question

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bernzie508

bernzie508


Number of posts : 245
Age : 47
Location : Chillicothe
Registration date : 2007-11-20

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PostSubject: Technique Question   Technique Question Icon_minitimeTue Jan 01, 2008 4:37 pm

I need some insight on how to cross a wheel sucking muddy area. Obviously I wouldn't be riding the trail when the conditions are like this but I have done only a handful of races and about half of them have had areas to cross that are soupy muddy messes. The first time I attempted one of these I rode a line that several others had ridden and it didn't work out too well for me. The second time I went out as far as the tape would allow and got better traction and was able to manuever better. How do you guys deal with an area like this? Is it better to carry a lot of speed into it? My fear is that if I am going too fast and the mud sucks me in even a little I could lose control of the bike, but I know if I am going too slow then it's bad new also. Some of the courses I had no choice but to advance at a slower pace due to the terrain before the mud, other times it could be all out into it.
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Doug Long

Doug Long


Number of posts : 475
Location : Chillicothe
Registration date : 2007-11-20

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PostSubject: Re: Technique Question   Technique Question Icon_minitimeWed Jan 02, 2008 1:05 pm

Bernzie: There are a lot of variables when riding in muddy conditions: Tire tread, width, air pressure, tire compound, type of mud. Sometimes the best way to get good at dealing with mud is riding in it and that is not too good on trails. We've had to ride in mud from time to time because it was rain or shine races. Those of us that raced at Canaan and Snowshoe got alot of hands on experience racing in mud because it seemed like it always rained for those races and they were brutal in mud.
On rocks and roots you need to keep the pressure lower and learn to float. The guys from the east explained it to me that it was like snow skiing. On down hills, you use the front tire to stear and the rear tire follows. You slide off course with the front and you've got a crash. The rear tire may slide from side to side but if the front tire is pointing forward and pointing you in the right direction, your generally ok.
Climbing, you have to be able to shift your weight forward and back and know when to weight and unweight the rear tire.
In real muddy races you might see racers actually riding though the wettest area to help clean their tires with water in the ruts. Most riders will gear down and turn higher RPM's. As far as riding faster through muddy areas, I think that's going to depend on your bike handling skills. Muddy courses can be fun and challenging with the right attitude but their hell on equipment and the trails and can be hell on your body too if you crash, especially on rocks! Just my 2 cents.
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wrenchmaster

wrenchmaster


Number of posts : 10
Registration date : 2007-11-26

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PostSubject: Re: Technique Question   Technique Question Icon_minitimeThu Jan 03, 2008 1:09 pm

what he said
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Shiflett




Number of posts : 45
Registration date : 2007-11-29

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PostSubject: Re: Technique Question   Technique Question Icon_minitimeFri Jan 04, 2008 10:24 pm

patience grasshopper
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bernzie508

bernzie508


Number of posts : 245
Age : 47
Location : Chillicothe
Registration date : 2007-11-20

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PostSubject: Re: Technique Question   Technique Question Icon_minitimeSat Jan 05, 2008 11:36 am

I've never eaten grasshopper scratch scratch scratch ....but I'll try it if you think it will help jocolor .
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