3speed

I'm a total newbie, so maybe this is just basic dumb newbie stuff, but I decided today to just say "screw it" and go slightly uncomfortably fast. Suddenly my rides got a Lot smoother, and obviously, faster. Does faster generally equal smoother, or was it something else? Am I just getting better? Either way, it was awesome!

Suspension fork going on hopefully tomorrow. I assume that will also make my rides a lot smoother and possibly faster.

pablosnazzy

yes, faster is often smoother, you sort of ride on top of all the bumps. also, you are probably getting better.

sounds like you had a blast, and that rocks. glad your ride was awesome.

3speed

Thanks. I did have a blast! That was the best part. I also hit a drop that I previously hadn't really hit and was a little nervous of. I found out going off of it quickly also made it a Lot smoother and it was So fun to hit that section completely - the drop, berm, jump, steep down-hill, another jump, tight berm, then biggest jump, all fast and smooth rather than slower and bumpy/unstable. It was an awesome day for me!!!

Bikernator

I had the same revelation when I moved and started riding trails that were way more technical. A combination of improved skill and not over-analyzing the sections was the cure. The speed seemed to be more of a side effect of the aforementioned. I went from spewing profanity and falling over all the time to flowing and enjoying my rides.

Dainbramage

Here's a face melter for ya....

Faster is Smoother and Smooth is Fast

Think on that one!