It seems to me that at some point your skill level (technical ability) will exceed that of the trail. It is at this point that fitness becomes the factor relative to speed on the trail. The fitter you are, the more able to attack out of the slow areas & up the hills of the trail.
The point I'm trying to make & I'm at a loss for words - too many variables. But, There seems to be a curve in relation to ones ability on the trials. At some point, every trail will dictate a technical dead end where you can go no faster (curves, switchbacks, roots etc). At this point fitness will become the difference in how one attacks the trail or how fast they are ultimately able to go.
I started realizing this after watching the Olympic downhillers & slalom skiers. "Theoretically" - If one achieves the perfect line on a trail the variable would become speed & fitness level. Of course mistakes & miscalculations have their effect most the time...
I've rode with some really fast trail riders. Technically I'm getting there, but fitness wise I've got a long way to go. It's difficult to put these thoughts in writing as there are so many things that play a factor.
Technical things I'm learning on the trail: Corner lean & substrate; When to take the Inside line vs outside line of a turn (sometimes going for the ride); Momentum, grip & throwing the bike around for control; Learning to trust the lean in. G-force effect on position; Error correction; Going too fast/comfort level relative to speed; Trail Tunnel Vision etc. The list could go on...
It's one big puzzle. As the pieces come together, as you gain experience, you get faster.
I've seen strong roadies on the trail suck bad for lack of bike handling. So it's a balance that has to be achieved between the technical & fitness level.
Hope this opens some discussion on the subject.
Fragments..
The point I'm trying to make & I'm at a loss for words - too many variables. But, There seems to be a curve in relation to ones ability on the trials. At some point, every trail will dictate a technical dead end where you can go no faster (curves, switchbacks, roots etc). At this point fitness will become the difference in how one attacks the trail or how fast they are ultimately able to go.
I started realizing this after watching the Olympic downhillers & slalom skiers. "Theoretically" - If one achieves the perfect line on a trail the variable would become speed & fitness level. Of course mistakes & miscalculations have their effect most the time...
I've rode with some really fast trail riders. Technically I'm getting there, but fitness wise I've got a long way to go. It's difficult to put these thoughts in writing as there are so many things that play a factor.
Technical things I'm learning on the trail: Corner lean & substrate; When to take the Inside line vs outside line of a turn (sometimes going for the ride); Momentum, grip & throwing the bike around for control; Learning to trust the lean in. G-force effect on position; Error correction; Going too fast/comfort level relative to speed; Trail Tunnel Vision etc. The list could go on...
It's one big puzzle. As the pieces come together, as you gain experience, you get faster.
I've seen strong roadies on the trail suck bad for lack of bike handling. So it's a balance that has to be achieved between the technical & fitness level.
Hope this opens some discussion on the subject.
Fragments..