In article <EKYqa.1503$pJ6.1072@fed1read05>, [email hidden] says...
Quoted message said:Please some helpful suggestions.
A section of narrow twisty tight single track trail I ride allot by my house is giving me
problems. Last year my current problem area was a wop-de-do little ditch, this year after the
rains, it is a v-shaped ditch maybe three feet across, maybe 18 inches deep. To be kind to myself;
I am a 52 year old Clydesdale with most of my weight (225lbs) in my torso. This problem ditch is
on a moderate downhill grade and I keeping going over the handle bars when my front tire hits the
other side. I keep my ass over the back tire and pull the front tire up when I get to the bottom
of the ditch....this has not helped. I know past of the problem is going to slow but this section
got me trippin. Short off bunny hopping it at a high rate of speed any suggestions?
Dean Stepper Laguna Beach CA
I have a similar section on a trail i ride. i have found two methods that may help you. one is to
ride as far back and as low as you can go, and ride it out. as it sounds like this method fails for
you, the other method is to do similar to a wheelie-drop into the ditch. pop the wheel just before
you go down, and ride the wheelie until either you start up the other side, or the front wheel is
over the top of the ditch wall. then as the rear wheel rides up the other side of the ditch, soak it
up in your legs. This may or may not work for you, and perhaps it may even spawn a different
technique for negotiating it.
Keep in mind i ride a pretty heavy bike so yours may not respond the same as mine. I like to keep my
front wheel fairly light in technical section. that way it is more apt to roll over stuff rather
than running into it.
It makes a difference on the bottom of the ditch as well. if it is real sharp, as i suspect it is,
then the front wheel should be as light as you can get it (hence the wheelie-drop method). the rear
wheel will bounce a little at the bottom, but should ride up the other side.
This assumes the soil is fairly hard. if it is real soft, like mud, then your rear tire may simply
get buried and endo you anyway. if all else fails, find a rider that has ridden the section and get
advice from them as they will know more about the specifics than i do.
~Travis
--
travis57 at megalink dot net
travis5765.homelinux.net, Primary Administrator TF Custom Electronic, Owner/Founder/Developer
(current project: Automotive exhaust flame-thrower)
