Hi RBG, Try decreasing the compression clickers down, 5 clicks(or more bigger rocks will deflect more) & adding 3 clicks or more to the rebound, it worked really well for our last snotty rock infested ride. I guess suspension is such a personal issue you may have to play with the clickers a bit to find a setting you can use to help you gain confidence. OH & one other thing with rocks, uphill or downhill, momentum is your friend. Good luck mate.
Rajo I learned to love rocks, sand, mud and ice by seeking it out and riding it over and over. A road race friend once told me..."if it makes you uncomfortable, you need to ride it more"...He was talking about specific corner types but it works for most riding. Well....right up until you fall off a cliff somewhere! Even set this up in the backyard. First load of rip rap.
Or he could enter the Endurocross and humiliate himself in front of everyone! Take a look at "them-sized" boulders: http://www.district37ama.org/offroad/tools.html Scroll down to the bottom of the page and choose the August 2008 newsletter. It's the D-37 off road newsletter and there is one of ajaxauto's fellow club members, Jake, on the front page. He did Last Man Standing too! See that article on the front page of the January issue! Anyway, that's what I agree with. If something if hard for you to do, then you gotta do it over and over, like public speaking, until you're comfortable with it.
I have 60 telephone poles (another 60 lined up) and a few loads of rip rap already. Grading permit is in and being reviewed. Once we get the green light the track will be similar in features to the one in the D37 news letter. Should be a fun practice track!
Yep no question about it. The best thing I can do is just attack the problem head on and practice it. There is a few things that I can see put me at a disadvantage. 1. 50+ yrs old and never really tried to get over my apprehension. 2. Pretty much a life time smoker. I will be making a serious attempt at quitting in about a week(wish me luck). 3. 20lbs. overweight. That teamed up lwith the smoking has taken a serious toll on my stamina. I may actually be better at riding the rocks than I give myself credit for but I fatigue pretty easily and then start making stupid mistakes, crash and don't want to do it anymore. Thanks Julie, that should be a great confidence booster. I know what you're saying though. Getting into a club that pushes my limits on a regular basis would probably do a lot toward making me a more capable rider.
I learned by crashing alot...taught me I don't like crashing and to ride through. I too am 20 over. Mainly due to not riding much in 2008 because of new house and such. Getting back on my running routine will cure that and also you may note..increase stamina. I used to smoke way back when. All it took was a trip up to 11k in winter and trying to ski deep powder that changed my mind about my habits. Rajo..get out and ride it! You ride very well..I've seen it! Besides, riding will leave little time for smoking and you'll drop 20 in a fast and fun way
Hard to argue that logic. Summer run will be over at work pretty soon and I can start getting out more again, soooo I guess I just need to seek out the rocky areas and beat the boulders into submission. I'll be looking for ride buddies in a few weeks.
