The transition from Road to Trail riding - any tips?

**nomnomnom** · 22nd November 2011, 12:13

Used to have a road bike, did a lot of commuting, so I am quite set in a road bike frame of mind. One very useful tip I've had so far is "dont try and control the bike or hold it up, stand up and let it move around under you" which has helped out a lot so far.

Just wondering if anyone else had a few tips/tricks for the transition period. I'm finding that my forearms are getting hella sore, and also the inside edge of my thumbs are blistering up (maybe from holding on for my life?)

Anything appreciated

**unstuck** · 22nd November 2011, 16:04

Depends what type of riding you are intending to do,if you want to race and do jumps and things like that then you are going to need a heap of skills way different from riding on the road. If you just intend to pootle around and do a bit of exploring then just ride as much as you can off road and remember to look where you want to go, not where you dont want to go.

**Pornstar** · 22nd November 2011, 16:35

grip the bike with your knees more to allow you to relax your grip, but more riding to condition your forearms will also help, as far as the thumb blisters go, i HAD the same issue, get some grip doughnuts, cheap as and work a treat.

**BM-GS** · 22nd November 2011, 16:37

Did the same thing myself, staring a few years ago. I'm still crap, but I can keep up with my kiddies (now 8 and 6).

The main points that helped me:
1. Remember that the bike's better than me, so let it kinda do what it wants, just point it away from trees.
2. Stand up to save your backside from being battered by the plank they laughingly call a seat on dirtbikes.
3. If in doubt, backing off the gas is probably the *wrong* thing to do.
4. Stand up, you can control the bike better by gripping with your lower legs (all the way from ankles to knees).
5. Ditbikes work on dirt, so sand/gravel/etc appearing in your path are not cause for panic (remembering Kenny Roberts' thinking that nobody ever lost if the front if they were on the gas).
6. Stand up, cos you can see where you're going better and adjust your weight to cope with whatever it is that's about to pass under the wheels.
7. The back wheel will follow where the front goes, so if it gets a bit sideways, no drama. It always feels like it's a HUUUGE slide when most people probably didn't even notice.
8. Stand up, keeping your weight on your feet, not your arms. Legs are for standing, arms are for steering.
9. On those occasions when sitting down is necessary (going round corners & stuff), keep your bum forward, so if the bike goes sideways, your weight is helping keep it going where it's pointing, not being swung around at the back. Sticking a leg out in corners is as much about getting weight forward as it is about breaking your toes off under a root. Sorry, I mean pushing the bike up when it slides out/looking cool.
10. When you fall off, you'll be glad to know that dirtbikes crash well - nice, bendy plastics.

If you want more ideas, look up John Nick's Trail Tips in DirtbikerDownunder magazine. Some of it's a bit advanced for me, but plant the seed early... Also, try some coaching from Peter Broxholme (Broxy) or someone.

Good luck!

**Mungatoke Mad** · 22nd November 2011, 16:47

Always carry a set of tools,spare chain link,duct tape,hose clamps cable ties,Kitchen sink etc.

**Pornstar** · 22nd November 2011, 17:25

Always look to where you want to go and never where you dont i.e top of a hill or inside line. also look well ahead and not at your front wheel.

**Jay GTI** · 22nd November 2011, 18:01

Originally Posted by Pornstar

also look well ahead and not at your front wheel.

This is one of the biggest lessons I got from mountain biking, did a few courses when I was racing. The theory is you acknowledge an obstacle (boggy section, bad ruts, roots etc) when you first see it, which should be nice and early if you're keeping your eyes up, decide on your approximate line then look ahead to the next point you want to get to. Your natural survival instinct is way stronger and quicker to react than your thought process, so if you hit it and get a bit out of shape when looking ahead, you will instinctively save yourself. If you're looking at it, you'll tense up and try to think your way through any problems, which will just make it worse. It then compounds itself when you get to the next squirrelly bit, because you weren't comfortable on the previous one. Takes a long while to get the confidence to just trust your instinct, but it makes a huge difference.

**Ocean1** · 22nd November 2011, 18:43

Originally Posted by BM-GS

The main points that helped me:

All good.

And practice braking, (both ends seperately at first) right up to lock-up, so you know how far you can push them on different surfaces.

**Pornstar** · 22nd November 2011, 19:02

And never get between a mother bear and her cubs. I cannot stress this enough.

**nomnomnom** · 24th November 2011, 10:18

Originally Posted by Pornstar

And never get between a mother bear and her cubs. I cannot stress this enough.

lol nice. thanks for the tips theyr all really helpful! specially the standing up part.....went for a ride on the weekend and my butt is still sore hahaha i was standing a lot of the time (i guess it came naturally?) but then wen we got into easier parts (gravel road etc) i got a bit lazy and sat down for a rest....bad idea! i might invest in one of those butt donuts

PS does anyone know where I can get a cheap grab strap? I looked on trademe and found a few for 40-50 bucks....but Im just being chaep and dont want to pay that much $ for what is effectively a piece of modified tie down strap....

**Pornstar** · 24th November 2011, 11:01

Dont worry about sitting on the road section, you do gotta rest those legs sometime, being the largest muscles in your body they use a lot of energy, where you really need to be standing is over the rough stuff. Body weight squats are good conditioning for this. definatly get some of those doughnuts, i used to always have stingy wear patches on my thumb knuckles, but not now. as for the other thing, i believe its called a haemering.

**pete.ktm** · 24th November 2011, 17:11

Originally Posted by nomnomnom

PS does anyone know where I can get a cheap grab strap? I looked on trademe and found a few for 40-50 bucks....but Im just being chaep and dont want to pay that much $ for what is effectively a piece of modified tie down strap....

http://www.motocrossparts.co.nz/moto...85&category=93

or just buy a couple of bolts and modify a tie down strap