iwantakona

I've got a few quick questions for you guys. When I go to my local trails I'm always getting passed up by xc riders on s-works and xc full suspension bikes. I know I'm a n00b still but I can't even begin to keep up with some of them. Others I can ride with most of the time. Is it because they are very good riders or do they just have better bikes? I noticed they are more consistant then me which leads me to my next question.

Should I bother messing with all of this cadence stuff? I do better when I sit down and try to spin the cranks more so then muscle it but I have way less fun then when I stand up and muscle it more so. My trails also have tons and tons of roots so sitting down on a hardtail sucks basically. In fact I have only seen one other hardtail. It was a very nice s-works at that. I don't mind being passed I'm really only out to have fun but I feel like there is some secret that no one has let me in on.

I ussually stretch before and after every ride and consume 200mg of caffiene for some extra kick because of Pete's advice and try to consume all the vitamins he also mentioned. I don't really run out of energy or strength ever just get overheated and a lack of lung power. When I have been going riding it has been 90-95 or so everytie. Could that be why I'm doing so bad? That however doesn't explain why everyone else still does decently. I do have very bad sinus problems could that cause me to have breathing issues? Anyone have any ideas that would improve my riding?

EDIT: better?

DevilsGT2

Paragraphs man, use em.

DirtPedalerB

you just have to keep up to "trail speed" or those roots and rocks will fatigue you a lot

junkyard

Yes, it is all about the bike. The riders have nothing to do with it. That's how Lance Armstrong won the tour 7 years straight... by using a superior bike.

iwantakona

I was't saying its all about the bike, but a full suspension xc bike has got to be more suited to certain types of trails then a hardtail freeride/dirtjumping bike right? Do you have any useful sugestions?

junkyard

Yes, my suggestion is to ride and not worry about it. The better conditioned you become, the easier the ride will be.

BugsInMyTeeth

Experience and conditioning.

Knowing the trail helps alot as well.. (didn't quite get that from your post).

Just keep at it. You'll be blowin by noobs in no time.

A new, fancy schmancy FS bike might help.. but you're better off grinding it out on an inferior bike.

When all else fails.. just kick the stupid f*ck (who's blowin by you) in the head.

iwantakona

I'm sure your right I probably am just trying for too much too fast. I've only been out riding trail like 7 times or so.

No one blows by me they just pass with a hello or a thanks for getting out of the way.

mtnbiker66

Just put miles in. It takes a while to build up to a good XC racer level.The guys that pass you are most likely on a training regiment. Heck I don't care who passes me,I has nothing to do with the how much fun I am having.If you want to feel really bad,track down a pro level rider and try to tag along on a ride.

BugsInMyTeeth

If by chance you ever get to meet one of the creeps who are blowing by you...strike a conversation. Nothing breaks the ice like some sort of compliment.


edit: err... that is.. if you didn't take my advice about kicking them in the head already,,,

iwantakona

I dont feel too awfully bad as I am only out to have too but I kinda wondered if they know something I don't. Guess it's just miles they have that I don't. I try to get in like 30 miles a week at least but I know I'll need many more. Thanks for the encouragement guys!

BugsInMyTeeth

Keep it up pal... a little humility goes a long way..

mtnbiker66

If you've only been on trails about 7 times then you're just taking baby steps. Wait till you have a year under your wheels.

junkyard

I agree with mtnbiker66. I've only been at it for 3 or 4 seasons. I still learn something everytime I'm out. If you can, ride with some people who are above your skill level. It will give you the opportunity to pick up some new skills.

iwantakona

Well I don't ride with anyone but my trails have alot of traffic on them and I've talked with a few of the guys that ride out there and observed them riding. Seems like they ride at a more consistent pace then me where I like to go really fast for shorter periods. I also like to descend really fast where they are doing much more controled and slow decents. Maybe when I go thursday I'll ask two guys I've been talking with if they mind if I tag along.

santiago

This is my 3rd or 4th season riding and only this year did I feel that I started getting quicker. A lot had to do with improved conditioning and more experience but you get that from riding.

I do believe higher cadence helps if the trails is relatively smooth so don't be afraid to spin when you have a chance.

junkyard

Another thing that helped me was to sit on a section of trail that I was having trouble with and practice riding it. That was more for learning new skills. Endurance really comes from spending time in the saddle. Or try investing in a (dare I say it) road bike.

iwantakona

The trail I have been going to is not smooth in alot of places. I guess I should try to spin where the trail is smooth and where there is roots and big bumps try to muscle it and keep my speed up?

junkyard

There is a way to glide over that stuff. Keeping a solid spin while hovering over the saddle to absorb some of the bumps with your legs is something worth practicing.

santiago

First of all, big disclaimer here. I still consider myself a beginner as I'm still trying to figure stuff out.

The thing with the roots and bumps is that you have to really give yourself momentum to go over them. My biggest problem has been that I'd go over them too slow and would always have to put a foot down. Once I started riding over them quicker, just a quick afterburner kick, I found it much easier to go over that stuff.

That being said, I find it night and day going over this kind of stuff with my new bike. I have a full suspension bike with a Horst Link and this thing climbs up and over stuff that I had trouble with on my hardtail. So the bike does help but it isn't the only factor.

iwantakona

So basically if the trail is a smooth hillclimb sit down and spin the cranks but if it has alot of roots stand up a bit and carry momentum. Gotcha. Makes sense now that I think about it, but I saw some xc riders sitting down on the uphills and thought that was the method on all hills.

santiago

On my FS bike, I'm more efficient climbing while sitting down. Were the guys passing you on FS bikes?

iwantakona

One was on a s-works hardtail and one was on an unknown older hardtail. The ones I saw sitting and climbing were on hardtails. The others that pass me regularly are all on FS. There is a regular group of 6 or so that can be seen there every saturday morning so thy are all the same riders.

junkyard

I don't know that you can summarize all climbs into one single technique. It really depends on how steep it is, how rooty or rocky it is, the type of terrain you are on... loose gravel, hard packed dirt, etc. With practice, you start to find what positions work and which are less effective. Trial and error, buddy.

santiago

I'm concerned. You've posted several helpful posts in a row and not a single smart ass comment. You feeling okay?