Proper MTB Body Position : Rich Drew The Ride Series
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- Опубликовано: 14 окт 2024
- #richdrew #therideseries #fezzari
It's the foundation. It's the baseline. It's where it all starts. It's body position. At The Ride Series MTB Skills Clinics, we preach being centered over the bottom bracket for as long as possible. NOW, there are times where that just isn't possible, but those are the exception and not the rule. Here's a breakdown of why we feel you should be centered and a few examples on a rad section of trail here in Bentonville.
Think of it this way: As a human being, when you're faced with fear what's your initial reaction? It's to push away from fear. Embracing that this is natural is key for progression in our opinion. Having a solid understanding of the benefits of being centered over the bike is important. From there, it's putting yourself in situations that are comfortable enough for you to slowly raise your barometer of body position.
Start small and find a relatively easy section of trail. Work that centered position, thinking about heavy feet, light hands, and the elbows upright so that the forearms are RELATIVELY in line with the forks. This might feel a bit odd at first and there might be some personal things that make it even more uncomfortable. Are you oddly shapen, do you have past injuries that have caused mobility issues? These can make if tough to emulate what we might deem to be that "perfect position." My advice, think of it in terms of "your perfect position" instead.
YOU WON'T ALWAYS BE TRULY CENTERED. You just watched the video and you saw moments where I was behind the center of the bike, it's gonna happen. Don't be so literal. The goal is to be centered as much as possible and remember, the visual of centered will change as the pitch of the bike changes.
HAVE FUN!!! The goal of these videos to help you have more fun. I've NEVER met anyone that said
"the better I got the less fun it was." That doesn't happen. The better you are, the more fun you have...it's a scientific fact!
Here's all the obligatory stuff I need to add ;)
Special thanks to @aribikes for supporting this platform. The Delano Peak I'm riding is a LEGIT bike and I really dig it!
We would love to see you at a Ride Series Clinic or even for a private on trail coaching session. If you'd like to attend, or just have a question, please email
info@therideseriesmtb.com
Spread positivity and have fun out there. Peace out dumpers!
Rich
Love your shout out to Lee. Great guy and a
Positive voice in the online mountain bike community!
Lee made a clip where explain his mistake with attack position. Now is "the hinge" and use row and anti row.
I’m over 50 and riding just over a year and this technique is invaluable. Much appreciate the focus on the body being centered, but even more so that you allow your arms to have movement. Keep it up and nothing but positive vibes!!!
Love the Lee McCormick reference Rich!
Lee is a legend and has earned a great deal of respect in the MTB community. I use the “row/anti row” word track quite a bit when coaching.
Love the "Row / Anti-Row 😉" reference, LOL 😂😂😂, love your videos man, a lot of good content, thank you! 🤘😎
Joy of Bikes and Lee
I think Rich was low infact I'd say 'Luxury Low' 😉 😂😂. good video Rich
Hugely helpful. I'm on the tall side and went down on some roots recently. I was guilty of riding too far back too soon and through turns. Thanks!
Glad it held! Taller riders generally more at the hips, and this has a tendency to get them a bit further back on the bike. Try finding a balance between hinging and squatting, that should help you.
Really enjoy your teaching style. I’m 50 and have been riding/racing DH since my early 20’s. Never took a class/course so have carried many bad habits over the decades. I tend to stand too upright so it’s a constant reminder to myself to bed elbows, relax and have a slight bend in my knees to stay centered over the BB. I also tend to brake too late into corners which stands me up, bleeds momentum and untimely out of position. Lastly, I have to constantly remind myself to stay loose. Relaxed muscles are fast muscles, right? Anyway, I’ve watched a ton of videos and yours are the easiest to put into practical use, so thank you!! 🤘🏻
Very very good break down of technique! Excellent pointers
Love the wheel of influence
As always quality content. Keep it up and chin up, people will always disagree. Personally your videos have been very reflective and helped to improve my technique.
Thanks dude!
Great pointer here. I think part of the issue with folks that have been through a few versions of bike geometry 😅 we have to consider ya know new geometry probably means new rules on positioning your body. We have to un learn the accommodations we made in the past. This is a perfect example of that imo.
Great video! I read Ned Overend's book in 2004 and he spoke about really getting back in the "attack" position where your torso was over or behind the saddle. This probably applies to bikes that had 2004 geo rather than the slacker bikes of today. My trail stumpy from 2004 had a 70.5 ht angle. Using Rich's position will probably require more core strength and flexibility too. Something I will need to practice and work on! Thanks for the detailed pointers Rich!
Great video, thanks!
I would make one suggestion for communication clarity. You keep saying “centered over the bike”, then you have to defend the fact that you move back behind the seat at times. I think your point needs a bit more subtlety that might pre-empt some critiques: if I’m not wrong, the point you are making is to keep your center of mass, as much as possible, in a *plumb line* with the bottom bracket.
So, on a steep descent, there will be times that in order to achieve that alignment you have to move back, otherwise your center of mass moves ahead of the bottom bracket. A simple diagram would probably speak volumes.
I’m getting back into MTB to cross-train for both fitness and technique. I loved the explanation and reasoning for the elbow position. I’m also loving, as I re-study MTB technique, the huge overlaps between MTB technique, and off-pavement motorcycling (not surprising, because it’s two wheeled physics). Good stuff!
GREAT point Mike! I think we're going to incorporate more specific inputs in the near future and use more of the diagrams you speak of.
Your previous drop video made it all click for me. It feels natural and secure. Any departure is show boating for competent riders. This way works for me.
Heck yeah Paul!
Well said richie I'm always getting low when I need to keep centred as much as possible 👏
As riding season starts up again it's good to go over these skills 🤙🏾💯
As per usual, great info explained well. Keep up the great work Rich. Watching your content has 100% made a difference to my riding. 🤘
Thanks Anthony! It gets me pumped to read this 👊🏻
Awesome video. Really really helpful 👍
Good stuff and good call on laying off the front brake - I actually make a conscious effort to keep my finger off the front lever for stuff like that so I can't accidently squeeze it.
Thanks for the great Videos.
Great vid. I watched your head not move when you did it right. Body positioning is #1 for sure. Wish you were closer to NY.
Glad you dig it!
Thanks Rich. Very effective demonstrations. The wrong and right way slow mo really tells the story. This will benefit many aspiring riders. 👍
Thank you. I have only been riding for three months. I have been following you and it has been so helpful.
Thanks for the video Mr D. I'm just starting out on in MTB and appreciate the effort your putting into creating quality content. Found the bad vs good descent on the same section very helpful - so I can actually see what can be achieved with good technique👍
They need a sign saying "No stopping sidewise on the Bridge" lol. Great video and great training as always. Thanks
Haha! I agree
Thanks Rich. Always enjoy your videos. 👍
You are very welcome Paul
Another great explanation and thanks for sharing your experiences with us. I'm a road cyclist and getting into MTB in 2017, I feel the center of mass or gravity during most drops. My problem is when it comes to jumping. I keep reminding myself all the time (Center of mass) but the timing is/was off. It scared the craps out of me when bike took me for a ride!
Hey there! Just try to imagine standing up with the takeoff. If your body isn’t moving in concert with the bike going up the takeoff, you’ll get pushed or pulled. Play around with the timing and see what happens.
Thanks, easy to understand, hoping that, for applying too also. Wonderful video for me...
You are very welcome Jim! Let me know how the application goes 👊🏻
Completely agree, you nailed it. This concept was something I learned (the hard way) decades ago on my chromoly steel MTB with tire pressure only suspension system:-/If I was not centered correctly where the bike could freely move beneath me, I was gonna get jacked. I would also add that the core balance concepts you've laid out are the through thread for many dynamic movement sports. Snow skiing, snow boarding, water skiing, surfing, skate boarding, pick your tool! Square up, center up and rip it.
“Square up, center up, and rip it!” I’m gonna borrow that one!
Someone wise 😉 once told me in a reply to a MTB insta story “Elbows Out!” Been doing it ever since and don’t regret it!
I’ve also heard that “someone” is very good looking as well 😉
Thanks for the insight Rich!
Great tip Rich on the elbow position in plane with the forks. Have never thought of it that way. Always remember it as the attack position in motocross. Always try to think of being centered as feeling like floating the bike underneath me.
That one resonates with MANY people since it has a very instant feedback loop. I’m gonna borrow that “floating the bike underneath” term 😉👊🏻
@@richdrewtherideseries you can use that one all you want brother! Looking to sign up for your jump clinic here in San Diego in November. Thank you for all you do.
Appreciate the added info for tall riders. I commented after another one of your videos that being tall, down feels like I have to move back also. Good to have what I feel reaffirmed. Since I live there now, see you around Bentonville!
It’s funny how some people will draw a hard line about technique regardless I’d height/body type. I think those have to be accounted for. Glad I was able to reinforce that feeling. Hope to see you out on the trail 👊🏻
Rich, you rode professionally. You don’t need to worry about what any trolls say, they’re just jealous! Rode Schroen today and I’m going to have to pay attention to how I’m hitting those rock gardens next time on my body position, thanks!
Thanks Ryan! It’s not so much worrying about the trolls, I think it’s more trying to shape perspective so there isn’t as much pushback. I know it’s a no win in a sense and that’s ok, comments like yours make it worth it. Let me know how it works next time you hit it.
Another awesome vid dude, cheers!
Thank you Hamish!
Great video! Solid explanation of proper body position. We loved the goon riding examples. The are funny but also show have many try to ride the trail.
So hard to show the “what not to do,” my body won’t allow it 🤣
I don’t think you mentioned it, but the position you have just taught is perfect in those “ohh crap” scenarios where you find yourself doing a drop that was blind or unexpected. It’s all about the arms. Great video.
Rich and Lee McCormack's content really helped out my riding so much , i've rewired my reactions to crouch lower and put my chest closer to the stem when i see a sudden drop... it really saved me a few times from a potential OTB
I totally agree what you explain Sir. I do the same technique. Awesome videos!!
I am glad you made the point about taller riders having to hinge more. I am 6'2 and some downhill sections scare me, especially when there is a turn at the end. I have to remember to lower my torso while keeping my weight centered.
I love the new Shroen Train trail re work! Thanks for the position video Rich. Making that rocky section look smooth.
I think that you're an amazing coach and your methods are invaluable to some of us in the mtb community.
Thank you so much Rich, very nice video. However, the topic is so Important and so Big. Probably needs 2-3more episodes for further details and follow up. Just the way I kept watching your drops video over and over again like its a Bible. This episode will be one of them. Thank You Bro.
You are very welcome Hansel and you can count on a few more in the very near future. I agree that it’ll take more videos to showcase how important it is in all situations on the bike.
Great way of explaining the proper way to handle drops 👍 . Great way of demonstrating the wrong way 👍👍! I know for sure that the wrong way of doing this was how I fractured my eye socket from being bucked forward. I’ll hold off on getting the full faced helmet for now and work on improving my technique 😀. Ride Series clinics are golden! Highly recommended!
Really good video here, that every new rider should watch! I started out riding steep stuff "way in the back seat" exactly as you described it. I have videos and pictures of before/after, that illustrate it VERY clearly in fact (kinda embarrassing with the "goon" position actually). The "tell-tale" sign....and it's pretty foolproof...is to watch the rider's head. When their arms get straight and the fork compresses, their head will bob pretty dramatically. If they do it correctly, it will stay almost completely level. I looked like a bobble head at first....big time. I think it's instinct early on to try to "get as far from the ground in front of you as possible," because of the fear of going OTB. The reality is, the second the rider's arms are straight, they're at the mercy of whatever the front wheel encounters. Once I learned that, I was able to not only control the bike better through rock gardens like this one, but it also allowed me to "push" the bike through cracks etc.
This is a great reminder to riders of all skill levels to go back to basics at times, and I immediately found myself thinking..."Hmm...have I had "elbows up" as much as I should lately, or have a I gotten lazy?" Usually, when I have periods of time when my riding sucks, and I lose confidence, it's because of something EXACTLY like this, that I've gotten away from..basic fundamentals.
Something I also show people is the effect of straight arming.
Get them to sit on the bike, straight armed... then grab the front wheel and move it side to side.. their whole body twists from the shoulders...
Now get them to crouch a little with elbows out... grab the wheel... their body just sits still while the forearms do all the moving.
I love watching ANYONE attempting something with their elbows below the line between their hands and shoulders...
Good stuff!
Great video! The way you go through all the steps is really engaging! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Thank you! We’re trying to evolve as much as we can and provide details steps to help riders progress
Thank you Rich i love your explanations is great i always looking forward to another video :)
You are very welcome!
Great video. Practiced a bit this morning. 😀
Best explanation 👍👍👍
Thanks Kevin 👊🏻
These videos are awesome! Thank you so much for putting these out there. This one on body positioning is really fantastic and has definitely helped me focus more when riding. Much appreciated!
I liked the how-to and how-not-to demonstrations, and found the explanations made good athletic sense. Thanks. I still think Chamonix or Moab are the capitols, but glad to see Bentonville pushing to get up in the top five, which is by itself incredible.
I like that you are blending a little PMBIA and a little Joy of Bike in with your take on things. Body position is where it all starts. Nice choice of spots for the demo.
awesome vid... love the great tips insight and info.. and even more love your honesty....Everything helps... Thanx for taking time to do your video's!!!! Cheers brotha!!!
Another great video! Thanks for helping us be better. We will be out there this weekend putting the skills to the hills.
When in doubt, air it out 😂,,great video
🚀🚀🚀
Dude your videos are super helpful!
I like hearing that! We put a ton of work into them and that’s the reason 👊🏻
Great video.
Thanks.
You are very welcome Walter!
Love it…..solid advice!!!
Glad it was helpful!
Haters gonna hate. You do you bro. You work your ass off for this. Keep up the great work!
Thanks Mike 👊🏻
Thanks for all you do. Peace out✌ Coach.
Sick I'm learning A Lot
Thanks brother 🙏🏻
Awesome video! Awesome advice! 👌
Thanks Caleb 👊🏻
Hey Rich - I promise I’ll be nice. Been trying this one trails based on you and Lee. Super helpful. Noticed Olympic XC riders doing it too. The one thing not covered here - perhaps covered in your clinics - is heels down. Heels own helps keeps one from going over the bars but it also tends to put you backseat if you’re stiff. So to incorporate this great lesson and manage to keep heels down at specific times you gotta work on that calf and Achilles flexibility. Thoughts?
Thank you for mentioning that, bc heels down has been helping me a great deal, ever since I picked up on it from a previous video of Rich's. My heels are not actually down, they're just down to the point of being level vs being up, ie toes down. You bring an amazing point about foot and ankle flexibility. Quite overland by me. Compared to how important it is to gain that flexibility. Ty
*overlooked
Hey there! I’ve found that I’ve overloaded people with info in past videos and have tried to keep it simpler these days. The heels are indeed covered at GREAT length in our clinics, as is general mobility. My take on it is this: riding a mountain bike is an athletic endeavor and you will be better at it if you are more athletic.
I’d love to see more people spend some time in the gym getting stronger and more mobile, it would have a direct impact on their riding. We’ve worked with some higher level riders and the majority of the time was spent in the gym. Limited mobility will have an impact on how a rider can employ the technique. These limits can sometimes be worked out, but other times they are from a previous injury or genetic issue. This is why it’s always a case by case basis in regards to “what’s right.” There’s always a balance in my opinion AND experience. When I started racing pro XC, I was usually 20-40 pounds heavier than most of the riders I competed against. I had an extensive strength training background and most people said I needed to “carve off 30 pounds of mass.” I disagreed. Power is power and my theory was that the advantages my better overall strength(and athleticism) gave me outweighed the weight disadvantage. Turned out I was right.
@@richdrewtherideseries Totally get what you're saying about keeping it simple. Thanks for the extensive response. With limited time I think it is a mix of do some riding you love to stay hyped, work on some weaknesses when you can how you can in a methodical way.I f that gets you to the gym great. If it gets you to the trail that works too. Ride on.
@@richdrewtherideseries people told me that too, I been going to gym since I was 13, i train mma to and I'm about 230lbs and lean. The only bad thing is I'm usually maxing out suspensions psi . my new fox factory 36 does a lot better though.
I totally agree with the technique. You did not film the last rocky drop before the last bridge, I felt like the trail path is a bit off because I almost always ended up to the left side missing the last rocky drop and have to remind myself to keep to the right this trail to correctly hit the rocky drops before the bridge.
Great vid, keep em coming!
Love your stuff Rich, especially pushing down on the bars off drops. Everyone disagrees with that technique! Weird question: what are those trousers you're wearing? Badly need some long trousers and they look super comfy. Always ready...
I agree with that too. If the drop isn't that big, I like to push down too.
Hey Jeremy! Thanks for the feedback. The pants are Specialized and I love them!
@@richdrewtherideseries Ordered them immediately and received them today - they are wicked. Thanks for letting me know. Appreciate it.
Love it Rich Good stuff.
This was a fun one!
Love it, great description 👌
thank you for the info
You ROCK!!! Thank you!
Great explanation I have the feeling of bike moving on the smaller stuff but on the steeper stuff it seems to go right out the window
Great video bud
Thanks Eric! 👊🏻
Muchas gracias hermano, en lo que compre un casco me pongo a practicar.
Great video. Please can you do a cornering body position video?
Hey Dino! Don’t you worry, we’ve got something coming for you very soon 😉
I like how you break it down Rich, do you offer the ride series in east coast Canada?
Great to hear this feedback! We don’t currently have any offerings in Canada, but we will strive to get there as soon as we can. Plans are for events in northern MI and MN next year, is it possible for you to attend one of those??
Rich, I'm going to Bentonville next week, where is your clinic?
I rode that section of Shroen Train for the first time Tuesday. Thought i was going to go off the trail and eat it hard by the third section🙈 but forced myself to look where I wanted to go and made it. Now, I'm trying to think back and determine if I was too back and stiff or what.
I think that two terms ('being centered' and 'hips go back') are getting mixed, because sometimes you have to go backwords with your hips to stay centered over your BB. @Rich - as always, very good video though
Good point!
I know my opinion is the one that REALLY makes a difference 😉, but I agree with 95% of this. I'm still a bit curious how a squatty position works on shorter riders with big wheels. I'm just shy of 6'1" and even I get buzzed from time to time when my hinge sags too much.
Great video thank you. Question on breaking, so should I ignore the comments stating that I should break evenly when descending?
Not at all. I think you should always think about breaking in terms of a dimmer switch, not a light switch.
Awesome, that makes sense - thanks
Awesome, that makes sense - thanks
Please share the brand of the MTB pant you're wearing? Thanks.
Those are the Specialized pants, I love them!
Great information. Can I ask what those pants are?
Thank you! Specialized Gravity pants, love them!
I wanted to be first and I see Caleb has already commented and it shows 4 seconds ago - lol! Great instruction videos! Rich, in your opinion how does the Zeb compare with the FOX 38?
You were the first in my eyes 😉. I think we answered it for you on the LIVE session, but you can’t go wrong either way on those forks.
@@richdrewtherideseries Thanks Buddy, and I hope you get to meet my friend Donn who recently moved to Clarksville AR and is transitioning from a Roadie to a *_real_* rider 😉
He can probably use some instruction on a few things he'll find different from mostly asphalt.
I've sent him several links to your videos but he still needs to upgrade to a newer MTB as he's riding a 2010 or so Fuji Team carbon HT with an early FOX Talus.
Anyway, as good as the Fox36 are - I'll bet the newer 38s are even better and with that size stanchion tubes the stiction has to be even less.
I can't wait. Tanx! 🤙🏼
Rich - great tutorial as always. It would be great to see some drills and tips on riding very narrow sections and how to approach these features. I have a lot of singletracks where suddenly one side becomes ‘high consequence’. Any advice or future video on this would be great.
Good breakdown of position. It showed as AudioDoc noted arm alignment. I have had a few recent exits on my Delano, due too allowing my elbows to drop as my heels rotated up. OUCH!
Keep up the good work.
It’s pretty crazy how those dropped elbows can get you in some trouble 😳
Row, anti-row. Wink! Haha awesome.
🤣🤣🤣 I love that guy!
Hi Rich.. What brand is your bike..? Like a 2016 Stumpi
Hey you may need to hold a clinic on how to mount mtb tires in the correct orientation...? Thoughts? LOL
On a more serious note, So when i feel the bike start to buck or seesaw is that because im not staying centered enough? i hate that feeling. How im seeing it in my head, i can keep the front down by keeping somewhat low with elbows out so i can push the front down but i still get a buck from the rear..?
How dare you mention that! Obviously I need to GO TO a clinic on mounting tires 🤷🏻♂️. I’m shocked you are the first person to pick up on that.
I think you’re spot on with how you’re picturing it at the front, the bucking in the rear isn’t quite as clear to me. Is it the seat coming up into you?
Here’s what I’ll come back to: if the elbows are RELATIVELY up and somewhat inline with the forks, and you’re hips are as centered as they can be for that situation, you are in a solid position. You’ll still feel like you’re getting bucked a bit if it’s a gnarlier downhill section and your getting back to compensate. Hips centered is relative to the angle of the bike. I hope that makes sense. Send me a slo mo vid on Instagram if you can get one in the situation you’re talking about.
@@richdrewtherideseries awesome thanks for the advice! If I can get a clip I’ll for sure send it your way! Cheers man 🤙
Finding the right speed is the hard part.
This technique works!!!
With the geo of the new bikes, there is almost no reason to lean back. I can't remember that last time i leaned back. by modern standards, my geo is conservative and I still for the most part am always centered over the bike. Or at least it feels that way
I agree Thomas!
I don't have a full suspension. Would my Trek Supercaliber be okay to use in a Jump Session? I'm about 215 lbs, but hopefully I'll be 200 lbs come December when you're in Texas.
you keep saying "center of the bike" and then pointing to the bottom bracket, which isn't in the center. The BB is closer to the rear than the front. So which is it - center of the bike, or centered over the BB?
the bottom bracket is roughly the center as opposed to leaning way back over the rear wheel
You could also think about it this way: your hips aren’t back, the bike is forwards. Sometimes.
You certainly could
Agreed, the hips are always over the BB, no matter how steep it is. When it's steep the hips look like they're starting to be over the back tire, but they're ALSO over the BB which is the key.
Was thinking of the backseat analogy and it didn't make sense. I thought it was more the seat adjustment, shaq's seat would be too far back and Peter Dinklage would be too far forward.
Neither of them are any good on a mountain bike
haha, they need to learn to make my point! I saw Shaq has a custom bling bike he rides. Peter Dinklage loves horses and hates that we enslave them on wheels so he could be a proponent for bike drawn carriages. Maybe they need some RD training and are ready?
🔥🔥🔥
Did you change the shocks and travel on the Delano or just the shocks
Hey Eric! I went with a 160mm ZEB up front and a longer stroke X2 in the rear. I love it!
@@richdrewtherideseries been thinking about doing that to mine that’s why I ask thanks bud
@@richdrewtherideseriesNice! vid very helpful...hey how do you have your Zeb setup? Weight sag clicks etc? I cannot seem to dial mine in.
Interesting body position is something I spent more time getting right before we had shocks, I think full suspension has given a false sense of security.
I’d say the body position you were using before shocks was right for those scenarios, but body position on a full suspension bike is different and it’s not a matter of opinion. Full suspension bikes need to have the mass centered to work properly.
@@richdrewtherideseries Totally agree, the point I was making is that full suspension can mask poor riding position more than an old clunker with zero suspension did. Hence when I finally went from solid to hardtail and then to full suspension body position was my first priority. It was interesting initially it was all about getting your weight low and over the back wheels now with full suspension, it is as you say, mass needs to be centred.
modern bike geo has helped me stay in the center of the bike. I feel like with 10yo XC bikes you sorta had to hang off the back
I agree! We specifically teach to modern day geometry.
What pants are you wearing?