- So rolling up to your local race
or even your local trail center
which might have some gnarly terrain on it
can be pretty daunting. Much like
the rock garden we're sitting on.
- Yeah totally. So here are tips to keep you
safe, fun and fast.
(energetic upbeat music)
- So Rich you love going fast and are a racer
through and through. How do you interpret
a rock garden like this?
- [Rich] Great question Henry. Well when there's
a lot of different line choices I'll often have a look
at like what's quickest, I'll look at what's most direct,
what's possibly the roughest and take all those factors
into account and come up with sort of the best way through
generally the quickest way. Now the quickest way
in this section that we've got in front of us
would be the straight line and gap over these rocks
right through the middle.
- Yeah, I mean for a rider like myself I'm not so
concerned with those milliseconds so I tend to balance
risk, consequence and speed.
- Yup.
- I probably would be coming out on that
rider's left and cutting through there to get a nice
line in for that turn.
- [Rich] Yeah, definitely. We've even got a third line here
which is actually coming out round where you are.
It's a further distance and it's definitely slow
because there's more turning but you got to ride
within your limits sometimes so that's the safest option,
middle is the quickest and we've got like a halfway house
for those who're feeling a bit in the middle there.
- Yeah, main line of confidence could often
be a good option for me.
- For sure. Right Henry I think it's about time
we put our money where our mouth is and get as rowdy as
this music behind us.
- Yup. Let's ride all three lines and compare them.
- Nice.
(rowdy music)
(excited laughing)
(joyfulness)
- [Rich] So, we've checked out the trail,
we've checked out our rough sections...
- Yes,
- And we've done line choice. You think we can do it?
We're confident. What affects you
with your confidence Henry?
- I mean like pretty much any mountain biker
I've had some crashes which have knocked my confidence.
I think the big thing regarding confidence
is to remember your basic skills.
Think of looking up, think of pumping the terrain.
Something like those jaggeredy rocks,
that they all have an up and a down slope.
- They do.
- So think about that. You can break it down
and give you the confidence knowing you own
those skills could get you through it.
- [Henry] Yeah, for sure. I would definitely say that going
in with a really strong, positive mindset.
If you go in sort of a bit nervous and a bit timid
you're probably going to go wrong. You go in thinking
I'm going to smash this you probably going to smash it
in a good way.
(pleasant laughing)
(rowdy music)
- Now this is potentially a tip for more
of the racers out there but I like to think it applies
to anyone as well really. And that is practice
and repetition. Now when you get to a tough section
like I said at a race or at your local trail center,
hitting that section more and more is going to be
hugely beneficial. It's going to improve your confidence,
it's going to improve your muscle memory,
your bike handling skills. So when you do get to that
to that section at a different race say,
or a different trail center just tackling it
in a different environment is really going to pay dividends.
(explorative music)
- So, how does to set a bike up on rough, rowdy terrain?
Well that's the million dollar question and something
lot's of world cup and Eco-best teams strive for.
And the things you can do is if you're diving
through all your travel certainly firm up the suspension
maybe some tire inserts if you're dinging rims.
But think of the basics. Tire pressure is a real big one
and body position is often king. So if you're struggling
with your set up why not ask a friend to video you
through a rock garden and you'll be amazed at how much
info you can get from that just seeing
how the bike is balanced.
(rowdy music)
(Rich relieved)
- Hi mate.
- Here you are mate. Now I don't mean to be rude mate
or assume anything but when hitting these rough sections
that we're talking about, sometimes following
a faster rider is actually really helpful
I even follow me a fair bit, how's that been helpful?
- So I'm glad you brought this up. Cause I need to
acknowledge that you are a better rider
and a better human than me in pretty much every regard.
But joking aside, following you, following me
or following Blake; When I was a world cup mechanic,
not a world cup racer. So for me I'm always
picking up tips from better or faster riders.
- Agreed mate. Yeah, I still get it now
following guys out there. Different people see things
in different ways and that can open up sections massively.
So if you know someone like that
whose a bit quicker than you or a bit faster
they might see something in a different way
ask if you can follow them through.
I'm sure it will make a world of difference
and that'll really open up what you think you can do.
- And you could become a better human too.
(bicycle tires on gravel)
(tired cheering)
- Nice
- Okay so that was our tips and tricks for
riding the roughest terrain. I really hope
they've helped you and you've enjoyed them
and also made you a better rider.
I mean, have they made you a better rider?
- Well not only have they made me a better rider
but they've also made me a better man.
How about we continue this conversation
over a bottle of Chilean Red?
(Henry excited)
- I thought you'd never ask.
(upbeat music trailing off)