Taking the time to actually practice is crucial and nailing down techniques doesn’t work well when on group rides so you really need to do it alone generally. It’s something that’s hard to dedicate time to but pays off immensely. As time goes on and we become “good” riders the things we need to really practice are the more difficult and risky things, high speed whoops, jumps, railing berms and the like. If your going to do that and ride alone especially during times of the year when the forests are not full of people you should carry a spot or some other device in an accessible area preferably on your chest as breaking an arm or shoulder when it’s in a pack or pocket and out of reach does no good when you can’t reach it. Cell signal can be spotty in areas out there.
I know many of us do carry one. Years ago when I used to race a CR480 2 stroke I had a private practice track nearby the house. Big berms, tight corners and one day after a lunch break I went right back out for a rip after lunch feeling refreshed, you know like leaving Wawa on 539 or Luciles.. (for those that ride the pines) Well I was tearing into a berm that was mostly blind until you were into it to find some asshole cut my back gate and dumped a load of roofing right in the apex of the berm. It launched me in the air over the berm about 5 - 7 feet up into the side of a tree. When I landed, my foot was pointed the wrong way, all my knee ligaments were torn out and I laid there for a long long time with the bike on me behind the berm. I was losing hope when finally a young kid walked by. I called out but he was afraid. I finally convinced him I was really hurt and needed help. He climbed up over the berm, got the bike off me and eventually got me up and leaning on the bike. He pushed the bike and I hoped on one leg all the way home leaning on the other side of the bike. There were no cell phones back then really and if that kid hadn’t happened along who knows how long I would have been there.
Question who of us actually makes time to practice, truly does it, and who does it alone in secluded areas? I’m guessing there are a few...
TrailWoman may be one who practices.. but she seems to have a riding buddy generally.
I know many of us do carry one. Years ago when I used to race a CR480 2 stroke I had a private practice track nearby the house. Big berms, tight corners and one day after a lunch break I went right back out for a rip after lunch feeling refreshed, you know like leaving Wawa on 539 or Luciles.. (for those that ride the pines) Well I was tearing into a berm that was mostly blind until you were into it to find some asshole cut my back gate and dumped a load of roofing right in the apex of the berm. It launched me in the air over the berm about 5 - 7 feet up into the side of a tree. When I landed, my foot was pointed the wrong way, all my knee ligaments were torn out and I laid there for a long long time with the bike on me behind the berm. I was losing hope when finally a young kid walked by. I called out but he was afraid. I finally convinced him I was really hurt and needed help. He climbed up over the berm, got the bike off me and eventually got me up and leaning on the bike. He pushed the bike and I hoped on one leg all the way home leaning on the other side of the bike. There were no cell phones back then really and if that kid hadn’t happened along who knows how long I would have been there.
Question who of us actually makes time to practice, truly does it, and who does it alone in secluded areas? I’m guessing there are a few...
TrailWoman may be one who practices.. but she seems to have a riding buddy generally.