Central Otago Motor Cycle Club
Cornering
Plan your turn before you enter it, making sure uou stick to that plan.Choose your gear wisely and don't over rev your engine. When turning on a flat surface, your speed is limited to the degree your bike can lean over. Still maintain traction and chage direction. Be aggressive; be on the gas or the brakes. Entering and exiting a corner should be a smooth quick transition with no hesitation.
Cornering techique consists of sitting upright and in the middle of the bike with your outside elbow as high as possible, and your inside leg locked at the knee. Remember to look ahead and use your throttle to pull you through the turn.
As in braking, correct line choice is vital to achieve fast corner speed. Look ahead as you approach a corner and identify the best line as you plan your turn. If possible walk the track before you race and identify the fastest line. watch other riders in practice or other races before yours and look for the fast lines and identify area's where others are having difficulty.On off camber or slippery surfaces, use ruts or berms to keep your wheels from sliding out, apply the throttle smoothly to maintain traction and keep the rear wheel from braking loose.
Corner speed comes from late braking, perfect line choice and applying the throttle as soon as possible.
Technique
Increasing your confidence and riding ability takes practice and practice takes time. As your ability and speed increases your riding technique will become more refined and you will develop the confidence to attack obstacles with greater speed and precision.It is important to remember that the technique and style are two different things.
Technique is the way you get a job done, the method you use to achieve a certain task, which style is your personal expression. For example, most Pro riders will have a similar technique as they race through a big loomy berm, but each will have their own style. For example elbow up, elbows back or elbows down. As you work on your technique your style will come naturally. It is important to watch and imitate successful riders. As you progress through advanced stages of riding and racing watch the top Pro's. They have mastered most conditions, they have been throught it all.....they have paid there dues. Watch racing video's, analyse how riders position themselves on the bike, where their waist and hips are as they power through a corner or approach a jump. Are they standing or sitting?. Pickout one or two points that you can adapt to your own riding and practice them until they feel natural and it becomes automatic.
Motivation
Statements like the ones below will help you to get the most from yourself on race day.
"The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire"
"The secret to success is how far you bounce once you have hit the ground"
"Do not let your fears stand in the way of your dreams"
Don't have a hero, lookup to no one, because is someone leading the way, the best you'll ever be is second"
Motivation comes from within, you need to find the key and unleash it at those critical times throughout the day.
If you think you are beaten you are
If you think you dare not, you don't
if you would like to win, but think you can't
Its almost sure you wont
If you think you'll lose, your lost
For out in the world we find
Success begins with a persons will
Its all in a state of mind
Lifes battles don't always go to the stronger hand
But sooner or later the person who wins
Is the one who thinks
I CAN
Jumps
Jumping is one of the most exciting parts of our sport! The thrill leaving the groundand sensation of flying is exhilarating. However, it can also be one of the most dangerous of our sport as well and perfecting the correct technique takes practice and time.
Always begin small and slow, know your limitations, work on your technique and build confidence before attempting large technical jumps.
For most jumps, approach the ramp straight on, standing in the attack position and keep your weight centered and keep balanced. When approaching a jump be it the right gear, a gear that is compatible with your proper launch speed and you will have you in the middle of your power band as you hit the ramp. Don't gauge the amount of throttle you use by the distance of the jump. Sometimes it's possible to get all your speed in the last 4-5 metres before the jump with a slight turn of the throttle. An extra little bit of throttle will help maintain control upon takeoff because it will project the bike forward rather than sideways. Use your legs to grip the bike, and keep your arms neutral on the handlebars, this will maintain control of the bike in flight.
The instant you launch, the second your rear tyre leaves the ground, shut off the throttle.
The key to controlling your flight is body position. Don't freeze up! Allow your body to stay centered on the bike your flight should be somewhat relaxed.
Another way you can control your flight angle of your bike mid air is through throttle control. Clutch out, in gear throttle will cause the rear of your bike to drop and the front to rise. Conversely Clutch in( to prevent engine stalling) , Throttle off and rear brake on will cause your front to drop.
You should work on controlling your bikes flight angle through correct body positioning and practice the throttle control method for use in emergencies.
Remember, jumping should be fun, enjoy the sensation of flying, but know your limitations, perfect your technique and build your confidence before attempting large technical jumps.
Keep it safe
