Skillz, Drills, Clinics & Practice

Apr 28, 2014 at 10:06 PM

I'm going to start running Monday morning skills (skillz?) clinics in Prospect. Most of us are doing recovery/easy laps on Monday anyway, so it seems like the best time to practice some technique.

I'll be recruiting veterans to lead & teach things like:

Bumping
Bottle handoffs (feedzone)
Bunnyhops
Cornering
Dressing & undressing on the bike (yes, it's a thing)
Trackstands
Group riding
Skidding

All of these will be slow, easy/peasy sessions so they'll fit right in with a "post hard weekend of riding" scene. Just 'cause the racing is done doesn't mean the fun is over...

Image: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Hy4_cRfq4s/UVLpA7kOJ4I/AAAAAAAAE8U/JcmxnkvxuTg/s1600/saganskid.gif

Unknown

Apr 28, 2014 at 10:09 PM

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Erika Tarte

Apr 28, 2014 at 10:36 PM

Awesome @Jules! And @Gwynna, if you ever need a place to crash to be closer to Prospect, just let me know. Having a guest would give me the opportunity to practice my housekeeping skillz, which seem go horribly neglected from March to September...

Anna Maria

Apr 29, 2014 at 02:39 PM

count me in!

EmilyAtwater

Apr 29, 2014 at 02:43 PM

Yes yes! Need this.

ChiZhang

Apr 29, 2014 at 03:20 PM

sounds fun

Jeff Owens

Apr 30, 2014 at 12:48 PM

Bumping drills are super fun. Find a soft grassy spot (where no goody two shoes is lurking with a camera) and practice leaning on each other, shoulder to thigh, rubbing hands without hooking the bars, touching elbows, how the rider in front can direct the other one, etc. I'd be happy to help out let some of you knock me over! I assume Malcomson/Ragot would be good at this. As is JP. Oh, and banging helmets Renshaw style.

Unknown

Apr 30, 2014 at 01:43 PM

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Jules

May 03, 2014 at 05:51 PM

First Session, Monday, May 5th. 6am-7am

Meetup is 6am at GAP.

Bumping Drills

Learn how to bump, grind & lean in a SAFE, SLOW & SOFT manner. We'll be riding on the grass. Bring a pair of non clip-in shoes to practice with if you like.

We'll be riding very slowly with some standing around, so dress appropriately.

Unlike last time, there will be no bongo music

David Yang

May 03, 2014 at 11:31 PM

...unless there WILL be bongo music.

David Yang

May 05, 2014 at 01:36 AM

Highly HIGHLY recommend anyone who is nervous about, or new to racing, to join tomorrow. Racing and even riding in a tight pack brings up situations where elbows and wheels and handlebars bump. If you're not prepared there's a good chance you're going down. Don't go down! Wake up early tomorrow and get comfortable.

Mike Garrigan

May 05, 2014 at 02:15 AM

Wish I could be there. I'm game for Monday the 12th.

Jules

May 05, 2014 at 12:05 PM

Great fun this morning, and a picturesque morning at that! Lots of family friendly bumping & grinding.

Robbie would be proud!

Erika Tarte

May 05, 2014 at 01:06 PM

Huge thanks to @Jules for lending us his time & wisdom this morning! And for being such a steady presence, both literally & figuratively, despite having used the "newborn's scream" ringtone as an alarm clock.

Jules

May 07, 2014 at 04:26 PM

BUMP!

Ok, I'm going to be blunt here, but it's because I love you - as @Adam would say, "Hugs"

From our handbook:

"Kissena has a proud tradition of racing strong, smart and honorably. We take

pride in being ‘good wheels’ that our competitors fight to follow in races and safe,

prepared riders in training."

All of us have a responsibility to continue that tradition by honing our own skills, and teaching the newcomers.

Nine times out of ten a crash in the P123 is because somebody is taking a risk they shouldn't.

Nine times out of ten a crash in the 4/5's is because of insufficient pack riding skills or poor situational awareness.

I am structuring these "Skillz & Drillz" clinics to give everyone who attends the skills to stay upright and avoid posting in the "Close Encounters" thread.

First - we will cover better bunch riding skills (bumping, leaning, riding close, touching wheels, etc.)

Second - we will address better "solo" skills (bunny hopping, stops and starts, skids, dressing and undressing on the bike, bottle pickups, etc.)

If you are new to racing these skills are ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL TO RACING SAFELY.

I *know* it sucks to get up on a Monday but the truth is - if you want to learn from the folks who know - you're going to have to work around their racing & training schedules.

People may not realize this but clinics like this (and as regular as this) are not common. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THEM!

99% of the racing talk on this forum is about fitness and strategy; but you cannot win a race if you are not on your bike.

So: if this is your first season racing bikes you should consider these sessions mandatory.

David Yang

May 07, 2014 at 04:47 PM

ALL new and Category 5 riders, I'm looking at you. This is invaluable coaching that you can not learn by yourself watching youtube videos and reading the forums.

Sucks: Waking up at 5:30am on a Monday morning.

Sucks INFINITELY WORSE: Waking up on the tarmac because you didn't know how to handle a bumped handlebar and crashed out during a race.

Category 4 riders, it would not be a bad idea to join in on these clinics and get a refresher course. You know how sketchy it gets with 110 riders swarming around you at our local races...

Jules

May 07, 2014 at 04:54 PM

There are probably five people in this club (myself not included) that wouldn't benefit from these drills. Everyone else, just look in the mirror and ask yourself, "Who has two thumbs and needs to brush up on their handling skills?"

If you have crashed this year, you need these clinics.

If you have almost crashed this year, you need these clinics.

If you you are worried about crashing, or worried about almost-crashing, you need these clinics.

If you have done or are even remotely contemplating doing your first races this year, you need these clinics.

If your bike has two wheels, you need these clinics... you get the idea.

Capiche?

Thierry Bonnaire

May 07, 2014 at 05:37 PM

I'll be at GAP on Monday morning 6:00 AM sharp.

EmilyAtwater

May 07, 2014 at 05:37 PM

Next one 5/12?

Jules

May 07, 2014 at 05:51 PM

Yes

Jeffrey White

May 08, 2014 at 03:28 AM

Also, if you're an excellent bike handler and don't need the clinic, you're the type of person we want at the clinic. I fall somewhere between the two groups, but I'll be there Monday nonetheless.