i tend to ride the same trails near my house often so my sessioning covers multiple days versus redoing a section multiple times on a ride which i do occasionally especially if it’s a section i feel i should have made 🤙🏼
Obstacles I want to get better at or that frustrate me because I stall out or don't do them properly, becon me to try again and I almost always do. I usually do them several times, or until I feel like I have had an improved effort.
Most of my practice sessions take place at my house or in a nearby bike park and I generally don't session too much in these settings; rather, I work on specific skills like track stands, jumping, basic stance, cornering, wheel lifts, etc. I never used to session too often while riding on trails -- I always just wanted to ride. I'd get a little frustrated at not being able to clear something, but I'd just move on. Now, especially the past year or so, I'll always session something that I can't/won't do initially, but that I'm pretty sure I actually have the skill to do. I keep doing it until I clear it (usually 2-5 times) or realize that maybe I don't actually have the skill/experience to do it safely. Practicing in a controlled setting is so different than what you often encounter on a trail. My confidence increases incredibly when I clear something that is irregular, inconsistent, unusual, etc. And the best part is that after I've cleared it, later in the trail when I encounter something of similar difficulty, I just go right over it without having to session. In other words, I just ride, but without the frustration! Practicing is great to get that "muscle memory" wired, but sessioning is essential for major improvements.
I think so, Griff. It is often subtle. Maybe it will take 4 tries to clean something the first time, and two the next, and then I clean it first time the next time. Often thereafter I go from cleaning the obstacle 50 percent of the time, on up over weeks to 95 percent of the time. So progress is slow and subtle but consistent.
In regular tech trail riding I often have to work a really challenging feature, just to complete the ride. This gives some sneaky practice.
I have never deliberately sessioned a feature just to practice a skill but, from encouragement on this lab, I am planning to find a section of chicken heads about 100yds long and work on that......trying different strategies.
"Chicken Heads" was simply wrong. They are part of rockclimbing, not biking. What I meant was "baby heads".......tho I dislike that term.......all those babies buried up to their necks!
The Baby Heads in question have been eroded by use so that they protrude enough to make regular pedal traps, and to grab the tires at times.........ie.as much a hazard as an obstacle.
They will feature in this program.
I use "Working" to mean multiple attempts but also to add an element of trying out new lines and techniques.......not just finding a way to clean the feature.
Often, just finding a better approach or exit will give the key to a clean run, but sometimes I have to try out a whole different technique or strategy. A different technique might be trying to loft the front wheel more, rather than a quick bump -- to start a technical climb, while strategy may involve choosing to go straight over a drop to provide a clear exit, rather than go round the obstacle and end on a bad line.
In this Lab, I'm thinking of extending "Working" to include going on to a feature to practice a technique.......probably aiming for several successful runs.
I think both, Griff. As a skill improves I am able to execute it more consistently. I am also able to apply it in a larger variety of situations which might require on the fly adaptations. Of course, increased confidence also plays a role.
i tend to ride the same trails near my house often so my sessioning covers multiple days versus redoing a section multiple times on a ride which i do occasionally especially if it’s a section i feel i should have made 🤙🏼
Obstacles I want to get better at or that frustrate me because I stall out or don't do them properly, becon me to try again and I almost always do. I usually do them several times, or until I feel like I have had an improved effort.
Most of my practice sessions take place at my house or in a nearby bike park and I generally don't session too much in these settings; rather, I work on specific skills like track stands, jumping, basic stance, cornering, wheel lifts, etc. I never used to session too often while riding on trails -- I always just wanted to ride. I'd get a little frustrated at not being able to clear something, but I'd just move on. Now, especially the past year or so, I'll always session something that I can't/won't do initially, but that I'm pretty sure I actually have the skill to do. I keep doing it until I clear it (usually 2-5 times) or realize that maybe I don't actually have the skill/experience to do it safely. Practicing in a controlled setting is so different than what you often encounter on a trail. My confidence increases incredibly when I clear something that is irregular, inconsistent, unusual, etc. And the best part is that after I've cleared it, later in the trail when I encounter something of similar difficulty, I just go right over it without having to session. In other words, I just ride, but without the frustration! Practicing is great to get that "muscle memory" wired, but sessioning is essential for major improvements.
I think so, Griff. It is often subtle. Maybe it will take 4 tries to clean something the first time, and two the next, and then I clean it first time the next time. Often thereafter I go from cleaning the obstacle 50 percent of the time, on up over weeks to 95 percent of the time. So progress is slow and subtle but consistent.
For me, there are different kinds of seasoning.
In regular tech trail riding I often have to work a really challenging feature, just to complete the ride. This gives some sneaky practice.
I have never deliberately sessioned a feature just to practice a skill but, from encouragement on this lab, I am planning to find a section of chicken heads about 100yds long and work on that......trying different strategies.
Sorry to be ambiguous.
"Chicken Heads" was simply wrong. They are part of rockclimbing, not biking. What I meant was "baby heads".......tho I dislike that term.......all those babies buried up to their necks!
The Baby Heads in question have been eroded by use so that they protrude enough to make regular pedal traps, and to grab the tires at times.........ie.as much a hazard as an obstacle.
They will feature in this program.
I use "Working" to mean multiple attempts but also to add an element of trying out new lines and techniques.......not just finding a way to clean the feature.
Often, just finding a better approach or exit will give the key to a clean run, but sometimes I have to try out a whole different technique or strategy. A different technique might be trying to loft the front wheel more, rather than a quick bump -- to start a technical climb, while strategy may involve choosing to go straight over a drop to provide a clear exit, rather than go round the obstacle and end on a bad line.
In this Lab, I'm thinking of extending "Working" to include going on to a feature to practice a technique.......probably aiming for several successful runs.
"Seasoning" I guess may be all of these.........
I think both, Griff. As a skill improves I am able to execute it more consistently. I am also able to apply it in a larger variety of situations which might require on the fly adaptations. Of course, increased confidence also plays a role.