THIS Leveled-Up My Riding…
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- Опубликовано: 13 сен 2022
- I was recently out getting a feel for my stock 2003 CRF230F, which I had only really used as a work bike up until this point. I recorded a trail, and then later remembered that I had recorded a time-trial of the same trail on the modded DR200 from a few years ago. I compared the footage and was blown away by how much better my riding is. It is probably the biggest leap in performance I've seen since the early days of just starting out!
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Well, this has definitely turned into the most educational/motivational comment section I've ever had on this channel! Thank you everyone, I appreciate all of these helpful tidbits and I hope everyone else does as well!
Hell yeah
Mental awakening is one thing I never thought could’ve helped my hand eye coordination but I have noticed improvements with that and age but I might get too old eventually and get slower but you use your skills to make up for the mental aptitude loss
Hey TTM, are you aware of the replies to some of our comments to message "someone" with the handle "Text Me..." with a number? The message is "Congratulations 🎉
You have been selected as the winner of The Torture Test Magazine Essential Gears.
Send me a message via the above number so we can sort this out." I suspect it isn't you and, instead is some sort of phishing expedition.
I went from back of the pack to a season long winning streak by riding figure eights in a field of tacky soil and forcing myself to go faster and faster until I washed out. Truly terrifying, but worth the effort.
That's some sigma grindset right there!
I did this but in a circle for hrs both ways and when I stopped i just started bouncing around on the bike and hitting everything so fast
Similar to my story, once I realized I needed to improve my riding I started to ride different ways and experiment which way was faster.
Watching TTM videos has been the #1 thing that has leveled up my riding! 😜
Haha! Maybe my videos are just a fraction of the inspiration that gets you in motion. The fact that you fully get out there and shred it on adventure rides and race days is really what's getting the gains!
I lost 163 pounds. I'm Still very large at 6'1" and 240 pounds 😅. But I've only been riding offroad for 1 year so seat time is still very useful. I learn something new every ride!!
good job man !
Wait so you rode at over 400lbs? Respect!
@@KingFriday274I hope it was not on a dr200 lol. I was 300 at 6’6 and drove my dr at that weight lol. Down to 260 now.
Static balance training, followed by hours of putting around the back yard as slowly as possible. learning fine clutch control. Getting the ergonomics of the bike and levers set perfectly.
Riding different disciplines and bikes has helped me a lot. I ride moto cross on a sand track, supermoto and ice racing. How the bikes move and slide in the different conditions helps a ton. The first example that comes to mind. I was navigating through traffic on my supermoto at a new track to me and I ended up coming into a corner hotter than I had planned. My seat time on the ice took over and I used the rear brake to back it in nicely just like I had done all winter even though I had never tried that on asphalt before.
Your old video on the XR250R Made me get one and start enjoying this sport, and that has boosted my mental state.
Ready to sell your xr? If you're in the p.n.w. I'll buy it. Mine is an 89 with a few thousand hours.
You have inspired me so much. I have always since I was a kid loved dirt bikes and wanted to ride. I started when I was 16 and got to trail ride about 10 times until this past year. I’m 25 now. I just never thought I could do it, some of it was financial. But most of it was thinking I couldn’t do it because I’m 250lbs and a night shift aircraft mechanic. Going back and watching the “Die Trying” video has motivated me in all aspects of my life. And my riding has improved as well. I’ve been taking on nasty rocky technical hill climbs (southern Ohio) that I never thought I could before. Much of the technique was learned from the muppets over at the cross training enduro channel though lol. You also showed me to Rock what I have. 83 XL600r, 89 Cr125 that I restored (got it for free). And I now have a 14 RMZ250 after selling my GSXR. Finally I’m free, no more excuses to not follow my dreams. Next stop, motocross track! I feel like hitting the gym for the first time also. Thank you!
I’ve now been out 10 times or so since July! Big change
Well said, from another DR200 rider.
I make a point of challenging myself in some way on each trail ride, and picking apart my own riding in a constructive way. I could absolutely have chosen a better bike, but the more I ride the DR, the more it makes me aware of my own shortcomings, and it allows me to find ways to overcome the physical shortcomings of the bike by being a better rider.
Mental state is huge. Every time I make a mistake, or crash out, I ask what went wrong, and it almost always comes back to realizing I lost my focus. I wasn't in the game. Riding is like meditation. You need to have a clear mind, and you need to be able to control your thoughts and emotions and concentrate on the trail ahead. If I start thinking about work, or whatever else, I start losing focus and I lose time or crash.
Healthy mind, healthy body leads to good riding.
I love the DR because it pushes you to focus on how better YOU can get, because the DR is giving you all its got lol
For years I owned multiple companies, endlessly traveled, and ignored feeling drained daily. Just assumed it was part of being successful.
Went down a long path to try and figure out what was making me feel so drained. Like you, various prescriptions, diet changes, etc. Finally realized the sleep I was getting was very poor. Got that nailed down, and feel like I don’t even know my prior self. No idea how I survived! Night and day difference with my riding
very interesting, thank you for sharing. how did you nail down your sleep? any advice? How did you realize you were getting poor sleep?
@jrod: check out Matt Walker
The main thing for me was trying to feel better physically.. your supplements that you suggested has literally turned my life around.. I'm also a big believer in this thing called rolfing.... Between the supplements and the rolfing I now basically have zero daily pain.. next up trying to get a Little bit stronger.. by the way I'm 66 years old so I am digging in while I can
I'm glad the supplements suggested moved the needle in the right direction! Very glad! This is my first time hearing about rolfing. I will now have a subject to dig into!
Damn dude I'm 55 and just getting back into the sport since moving on to other things in the early eighties lol, and everybody is calling me crazy!
Keep on keeping on buddy!
@@williamsherman1089 wow I am 67 and just getting ready to get back to riding. I had a Honda 250 enduro 45 years ago. I loved it and can’t wait to have some eat time. Thanks for people like you for all the inspiration.
@@TortureTestMagazine what supplements? Is there a video?
I'm actually rocking a cheap dr200 after watching your video on it , it's my first dual sport and honestly just going out with riders that are far better than me has helped improve my skills the most
As a fellow DR200 owner, learning to ride slow bikes fast and overcoming the shortcomings of an underwhelming bike really does help you improve your skills.
Ride safe out there. The DR will get you almost anywhere!
By far the thing that let me level up my riding was trying, and trying again just like you did. Not just on the trail, too. You find something difficult and you just barely get past it, don't just speed on by to the next thing. Take the time to stop, think, and evaluate. Goes a long way towards giving you the ability to tackle shit that gets thrown at you. I'm still a slow rider, but I am slightly better every day, and over time that compounds.
Focusing on my breathing really helped me. I was finding myself holding my breath or breathing shallowly through challenging sections.
I've caught myself doing the same thing!
10-4, thumbs up all the way. Awesome video, love the bike and terrain with you riding! What helped me out the most mentally and physically was racing enduros. Made me mentally tough, got me in better shape, but killed my wallet. A couple old friends of mine were good enough to get sponsors, but now they don't even ride because they got burned out. We have to remember this is all for fun! Good job man, I appreciate all you do.
I started on a DR200 and loved your video about it. I wanted to start on something that wouldn't kill me due to power and inexperience. It was a great to get the feel for offroad riding, and I did get in many hairy situations and fell a lot. It helped me get comfortable. I think you echo this a lot in your videos. I started to be able to out ride the bike (at least I thought so, but clearly you showed there is so much more that could have been done). I bought a crf250L, a pig of a bike but a little more powerful. I got better, and now I'm on a 250 xcf-w and having so much fun! Your videos are an inspiration and helped me a bunch. And hey if your ever in Ontario Canada, check out the Madawaska area, that's where I learnt how to ride in the woods. Challenging but great.
Racing is something that completely changed my riding. Being in a race made me push my limites and having a race mentality made me ride faster and faster every time. So I recommend everyone to race everyone once in a while ✊🏼⛽️
Being smooth, all the time, everyday. Constantly practicing being smooth on asphalt or dirt (moslty asphalt for me). As you mentioned, it made a big difference for you with your injury. Injuries or not, we'll all become faster, and be kinder on ourselves in our later years, and machines, if we learn to become smooth. Whether that's how we're riding the bike, or things we pick up about ourselves that we need to work on to become smoother.
I love the focus on mental health and in my experience agree fully. I do not have good mental health right now and I'm pretty much unable to ride trails anymore, I used to be a really competent enduro rider. I still get on the street when I can but in the past working on that mental aspect has noticeable effects. I am presently in therapy and working to crawl my way out of new challenges, my dirt bike awaits a healthier me. Also +1 on the psychedelics, was not expecting that here lol but yes 100%, I'm presently abstaining and have been for a while due to my current state being too unwell for those internal boss battles, but they're absolutely a catalyst during the healing process. Thanks for the vid!
Well said man. Thanks for sharing your journey!
Love it. Good stuff. Way to go, keep it going man
I think what helped me was riding smaller bikes with people on bigger bikes i think it teaches you to carry speed through everything then upgrading after you mastered the smaller bike
Riding with friends that are the same level or faster than me. Having battles on the local track or trails is one of the funnest things ever plus it makes you faster since your trying to keep up and watching how they ride and try to mimick them.
Church, being more centered on family, riding motocross and supercross years ago. I had a buddy talk me into going to the supercross track, and I was so scared, it was actually fun, but not at the time. I was nervous and just absolutely intimidated by everything. Got some guidance from friends and a pro, learned about how important that front brake is, how weight movement is huge. I haven't touched a track in ages, but when I ride, often seeing big whoops or some weird thing I didn't expect, staying calm and adapting, not expecting failure helps the most.
Wonderful video my man. Wonderful video
My riding improved when I learned what a flow state was. Realizing that it exists and it has to be present to ride safely was huge for me. The minute your brain wanders you wander over the bars.
What leveled up my riding after obviously working on the fundamentals was just realizing that I love riding so much and stopped stressing about or comparing myself to other riders. My number 1 goal when riding is having fun and smiling and laughing when I ride. Body and mind are my focus now! Also mountain biking has helped me alot with controlling my breathing and how to conserve my energy more efficiently.
I have found fun = speed
Any section that isn’t fun isn’t fast
Redo until it’s fun , make it fun .
Works for me 👍✊
Very inspiring video, I think it's crazy there are people just starting to ride who have a coach telling them exactly how to ride, Like just go out have fun and try what you think is best. Keep making videos👍
Just wanted to say that I think I understand the point you are making and agree to a large extent. That being said, as a new rider soon to enter my 30's I no longer have all the elasticity and feeling of invincibility.
The coaching I would seek is to keep me from making avoidable and potentially costly mistakes that could take me out of work. Maybe I'm just paranoid but if the learning progression is anything like surfing was I'll definitely benefit from some coaching lol
@@gabrieltiso8537 hey man, I'm 34 and just started riding about 4 years ago after not being on machines for years. Just make sure you stay healthy and stay limber. Sure, I ache a bit more than I would have at 21, but trust me, you still have lots of riding left in you and plenty of wipe outs left haha, just wear the right gear and learn how to fall.
Crashing out is part of the game. If you stay physically and mentally in shape, then you'll be fine. A good friend of mine recently got into riding as well, also in his mid 30s, and I've told him that you WILL crash and you WILL grunt and groan and get bruised up, but it's ok, you get back up and try again. You laugh it off and go home and put a heating pad on hahaha
@@FonicsSuck Hey man I appreciate you taking the time to make your response. I have no delusion that I won't have to accept at least the occasional beating! The being limber part I should probably work on too.
Thanks for the encouragement 🤙
Your quality is HIGH on these videos, Gabe. Very pleased
For me, seat time is definitely the big thing, but I am a rookie. I've built 4 basket cases back up in the last 2 years and it's cool that my riding is not based on the machines. I just have fun trying out the different bikes before I sell them, and I think my riding has improved a lot because I'm not locked in to just one bike that has to be perfect.
This was a great video, and I'm glad you went deep on mental health. I think a lot of us can benefit from prioritizing it more.
Great videos, between these videos - especially the race ones and hard enduro clips, it's been a huge motivation to get out there and rip. I think one of the biggest things with riding well for me is the clear well functioning mind. Don't ride hungover or really a day after even having a few crafties. It has to be running full steam. With this my riding is night and day. And riding for 3 or 4 hours is a lot more fun than drinking. The other thing I think really boosts enjoyment is buying a cheaper bike. I just picked up a 2009 YZ250 for $3,500 and love it, don't have to worry about dropping it or really getting on it...versus my new 2022 CRF450RL... that bike has not only taken a ton of money to get "right", but buying it new... the first you go down or really anything happens to it, it's a blower. Having something cheaper, that you don't have to worry about just makes it all the better
Focusing on the task at hand and learning what proper body position should feel like has helped me the most. When I get tired, my mind wanders and my body position suffers. So I suck it up and slow down/rest until I can think clearly again.
Steg pegs I’d recommend trying them I have run them for awhile now and love how they let me plant the rear tire.
Great video man, so true everything you said 👌👌
Great video! The number 1 thing that helped me was moving backward in bikes. Started on a G2 KLR, then to Beta RR450, then to XT225. I’m a better rider because of the XT, even though I originally bought as… you guessed it… my wife’s training bike 🤷♂️😅
Great vid (as always). Love these style of vids as well, all about progression on the bike, and by extension in life. For me, the biggest improvements I ever made were due to three things in combination:
1)LOTS of seat time, especially in situations where I had no choice but to conserve energy and thus ride more smoothly.
2)Riding different bikes, and especially bikes with hindrances (extra weight in the form of a chainsaw, saddle bags, etc).
3)Establishing a routine (mostly out of necessity) - with regards to diet, sleep, etc.
Unfortunately that last part is both extremely important and very difficult to implement and maintain. I've been unable to do so as of late due to traveling large amounts for my job. But, it's a challenge I'm excited to conquer!
I definitely feel you on the traveling for work part. It has always been a major struggle for me. Always getting flown to different time zones, working at different places that run on different schedules, with different weather and different facilities. Over time it forced me to be adaptable!
Ironically, I have gone in the opposite direction. I used to want to go really fast and have fun when I was younger, but now all I want to do is to go out there make new friends and see the sights. I have “mellowed out“ , and realized I had gotten bored of going to the same place over and over again instead, I have decided to sell all of my toys that I used to ride for fun, and buy one comfortable machine that can take me anywhere.
The thing that has improved my riding the most is learning motocross. I never realized just how important technique was until I tried motocross and now that I’m really working on that technique it translates over into my trail riding too. Like I knew I needed to stand up but my body position was terrible. Motocross forces you to learn proper body positions because you can’t get better unless you do.
Hearing Rich Larson talk about clutch control lead to big improvements in the tight technical stuff. Then learning how to balance at slow sppeds helped a lot for high speed corners. Trying to keep the feet on the pegs as much as possible for best traction alos helped me be more efficient. Remember its 80% indian and only 20% arrow.
Same for me with high speed corners. Really just could not figure it out until a session with Jimmy Lewis where he had us stepping on and off of non-moving, dead engine, balanced bike and maintaining the balance stepping on and off of it. Somehow that's when years of trying and failing in high-G corners suddenly just clicked and I immediately knew what I was doing wrong before that session.
Nice mental positivity video, cool to see the effects of the years you've put into self improvement. My top riding improvement is a simple but extremely effective one. After I flipped my bike and broke my wrist I decided that to get back into riding I needed to learn how to ride correctly and for me it was improving my balance or simply put, Standing up on the pegs. No seriously, before I crashed I thought I could never hit a jump and clear it just because I always rode sitting down. After I started honing my balance and start riding with better posture I feel so much more confident riding aggressively and hitting jumps.
Im glad finally someone else sees how shrooms can help your brain and skills/overall thought process in life. Tbh taking in my experience tripping and finally getting over my shortcomings/worries and overall just cleansing of the garbage in my brain from the stresses of day to day life. I know it sounds weird but its kinda like clearing the cache for your brain. All the stuff I would think about and focus on when I was riding would clog me up and slow me down, now I can really be in the moment and take in and analyze how im riding and it really revamped my love for riding
So awesome to see another video from you. Is the members FB page still running? Purchased some kit and the application is still pending. Can't wait for the next video
Send me an email. I must have missed that request!
Confidence in opening the throttle into the unknown. I had to decide that I could handle what was over that crest and at the bottom or top of the hill, and that if I couldn't handle it I could handle that too. I was completely capable of doing it physically and my bike control was up to the task, I just struggled to get my brain past the fear. I'll launch the bike up a vertical face, but I still struggle to do down them without hesitation even though that is supposed to be "easier".
for me getting a two stroke helped a lot i got kdx two hundred but also riding with more experienced riders helped a lot it may seem like you want to try keep up but in the end if they are good people they'll most likely go out there way to give you tips and help improve your riding capabilities although i haven't been riding in a while because my kdx needs a rebuild due to previous owners poorly maintaining it. I'm keen to get out in summer (I'm in nz so summer holidays are over the christmas period. And really try up my skills in all levels i think trying to focus on everything your doing as you ride helps, going through every corner thinking how much should lean, what gear should in be in just basics really. i ride enduro its a lot slower and different to the motocross cross-country style that he's riding but hopefully this helps someone
Big fan, i feel you on psychedelics man. That can really help you out of a rut, and let you look at the big picture and yourself.
What an interesting way to look at improvement. I've recently used mnemonic devices to improve my memory. If somebody tells me something I repeat it in my head, like I own it, and it stays there. Great video glad I happened upon it.
Best thing for my riding has been joining the moto academy (a.j.) and learning to ride track. Learning mx force me to address the basics. You cant build a strong house without a foundation. A strong tree has a strong root...yadayadayada
I actually went back to a less powerful, sluggish bike, and not as good suspension, and that FORCED myself to get better as a rider to keep up the lap times, actually came out with more enjoyment and accomplishment 😊. When that translated to a better bike, it carried on through, rather than getting frustrated all the time :)
Hey Gabe. I just wanted to say that for somebody your age you have a lot of insight and experience on things I'm dealing with right now that scare the hell out of me. I wish you lived near by so I could talk to you about some of the things you've deal with and what has helped. I feel like I'm on borrowed time. I have some similar problems as you've described of your self in several videos and I feel like I'm loosing the fight to keep pushing. Doctors suck so far. Meds...usually makes me feel worse. Overall it's been a chronically disappointing experience trying to get my mental health back to were it use to be in my 20s and 30s. There has been nobody that I can recall in the last 25 years that has said the things you've said about what your going through that make me feel and say "Yes! that's exactly what I'm feeling and going through too!" I feel for you man. I feel like I'm almost out of options when it comes to getting myself back to where I used to be. I need help and feel like I'm so burned out dealing with these issues that I just want to crawl under a rock and expire. Life has become a stressful hassle. So very different from how I used to feel and think.
Gabe I think you have done a great job with everything on the channel and you as a person. You seem like a great guy that a lot of folks can relate with. Sharing some of the things that you've shared on this channel I'm sure has helped more people that you are likely aware of. I'm talking about the non-motorcycle related stuff.
On a more positive side, I just bought a 2002 KDX220R and are in the process of tearing it down to zero and building it up again as I intend on racing it in enduros and hare scrambles. I'm hoping that reconnecting with riding again will help with my bad mental health. I've been watching your progress with riding and life for a few years now and wish I knew you. I would really like to understand more of some of the things you mentioned in this video, specifically the psychedelics. I feel rather desperate to find something that helps. No clue how any of us get here but it happen so gradually that I didn't notice how bad things were until recently. I don't suppose you would be open to talking for a few minutes on the phone about what seems to be working for you...would you?
Make an Instagram account and add me on there and send me a message. It'll say waiting for approval but I approve all messages and talk to everyone
@@TortureTestMagazine Hey!! Thanks man. Will do. Thank you.
Hang in there Man , at least you are NOT giving up completely and reaching out to a great Person that has been brave enough to share his struggles with us , I too have been "down so low it looks like up to me" but was able to find help and now stronger than ever , just keep tryin' Friend..........
@@TortureTestMagazine You are a super Human in many ways Gabe.....
I grew up riding quads, and the thing that helped me most was making tracks in the really tall grass and racing to see how fast I could possibly go without going off
Best advice Ever!!!
Great Vid 👍
One thing I worked on was retraining my brain to not bail out by sitting and putting a foot down when I get to a tip-over point when doing slow technical riding. Retrained myuself to stay up on the pegs and correct with balance and throttling-out 90% of the time. Often the sitting & dabbing resulted in tipovers because I'm short on a tall bike and the ground is uneven, and balance and judicious use of throttle/clutch has eliminated probably 90% of my slow-/no-speed tipovers. The retraing was mostly during my figure 8's in the yard as part of myt warm-up before heading out. I think my next big thing will be to learn to ride better when seated...standing has been so engrained into my brain that I think I'm missing out on times when I should actually be seated.
“Turn yourself into the upgrade.” Solid.
Look how fast!!!! The guy on the right is like watching a video of myself riding, only played in fast-forward ;)
😎 Fantastic again. Fun following you 😎
I just think with my selv. Whats the hurry 😂
Honestly, the number one thing that stepped up my riding, was peer pressure. In my teenage years I rode with a lot of guys that were older and more experienced as well as my friends who all pushed me to try something even if I wasn’t ready. I’m not saying this is a good method, because it’s not. I’m very lucky not to be in a wheel chair right now because of the things I did after some peer pressure, but it did make me a better rider.
Had to "just Try it" instead of being intimidated. Obviously be prepared and plan it, slowly but surely, but give it a try! So yeah, along with what you were saying it boils down to a little self reflection AND allowing the testicles to drop a level in my case.
Man I love how you showcase these trail bikes. So many people say these suck and are not capable of being fast. I sold my CRF450L and bought a KLX230 dual sport basically the same thing as the Honda 230. Its a great dualsport that will go anywhere. The 230 is easier to ride than the 450 was. I am definitely slow compared to you! LOL KTM tears!
I’m interested in more details on the metal Heath stuff you did🙏🏻
Self-handicapping is a very under-appreciated training method. Deliberately choosing an inferior set up (moto, kart, bicycle, etc.) and restricting the variables that would otherwise allow for that machine to perform better will always force you to perform better. It's the only way to go faster/get better under those circumstances. (It's true for strength & conditioning too.) I personally believe bikes like the 230f are perfect for this (I have a 150f myself I use in a similar way). I always learn new skills that I can then go back and apply to superior bikes. (Not to mention, they're just way more fun IMO.)
Great video
#1 skill that elevated my riding is the proper attack position. Used to hear RUclipsr’s talk about it all the time but never really got it until I actually started doing it correctly. Everything kind of clicked after I started doing it correctly.
So true man i get on my dads drz 400 (i have a 350excf so light) and everyone says its too heavy cant do this or that or hard enduro but i do i throw it around i mean the stock suspension acts crazy on so sections that swallow the bike but i just hit it a different way
Godspeed
Nice video as always, we need more real life tips. All the best
Riding in deep sand made me a better rider everywhere!
THIS. Me too. You learn to be disconnected and drifty, while still being fully aware that getting too far out of balance will allow the ground to bite back!
It's so difficult 😅 I LOVE IT.
Overall my riding has gotten better because of time and different experiences. I am mostly self taught, so RUclips has helped with techniques and general information. I've had a few different bikes now and they have taught me it is mostly the rider not so much the bike.
1)Stepping down from my soul sucking manager position. 2) making exercise a more regular part of my life (15 min on a rowing machine 3x a week). 3) seat time. 4) sticking to a bike maintenance schedule (get an hour meter).
These CRF230F vids of you hauling ass never get old. The DR200 was fun, but seems like the little Honda just has the chassis to handle fast. I love that Honda put EFI on the CRF250F, but for me Im a lean 6'1 210lbs and I dwarf the bike and suspension cant handle me just sitting on it. But my KDX with sag jacked all the way up fits perfect. Also what I find ridiculous is soooo many Bro's never adjust their suspension clickers!
What leveled up my riding was,
Having an "under powered" bike it changed my focus from survival to having fun and once i was having fun i could challenge myself to become a better rider everyone needs to try a 230 or smaller 4 stroke or 200 or smaller 2 stroke trail bike
My bike was a VERY worn-out kdx 220 and it was so much fun also taking a barn find and building a clean bike during covid, divorce, job, work, life..... it was definitely what the dr ordered
my no.1 thing that improved me , as a rider , is mid-week trainig , while others could't find time for an enduro trip .
i would go to a " training place " nearby , to spend 1-2 hours on static balance , pivot turns , double bllips etc
(XR 250L by the way )
NOT upsideDown WP , Not brembo , nothing !
Just Rider skills !! ✌✌
Improving my cardio health with zone 2 training helped me tremendously. Weekend warrior 56 yrs old.
I tell myself out loud things I need to do on the bike to drive the repetition into habit. For a long time, every corner I would take, I would tell myself out loud to lean with the bike instead of leaning just the bike and keeping my body sort of upright. It really improved my entry speed into corners. Now I just do it without having to remind myself to do it every corner. One thing I still work on is telling myself to look forward and not right in front of the front wheel. This is the number one thing that needs to be actively on my mind every time I ride.If I am distracted by other thoughts, I'm going slower and or crashing. If you can see your front fender, you're probably not looking far enough ahead. This is huge, the sooner you spot obstacles, the more time you have to set up your route through them. It also helps with balance IMO. Also riding in sand helps a lot. It sucks ass IMO but it turbocharges your improvement.
I do this with track riding. Constantly talking to myself out loud, to make sure I’m keeping good habits up. Really helps!
Looking where I want to go is the biggest improvement to my riding.
Seat time! seat time! Seat time! Also work heavy deep squats into your training routine multiple times a week. Im talking sets of 5 at high intensity.
Just to give my experience.
Balance training - I started doing MMA, which requires good body control and mindfullness. This improved my balance on the motorbike, which was a complete surprise for me
Riding at your limit and being excited feels great, but its actually faster to ride with a cool head and with complete control. Doing a constant pace without the "oh shit" moments, is better for overall skill.
Also, tell yourself all the time: legs on footpegs! That's how you control the bike, for me this is easy, since I can't really reach the ground (tipitoes maximum).
Gabe, so is the short version of the video "consider psychedelic's" ? Not that the other parts of the video aren't important or relevant, but the psychedelic part seems to stand out as the center of of your level up.
Awesome video. I think the amount of stabilization is just about perfect for riding. Smooth enough to be watchable, but shaky enough to accurately portray how rough the terrain is.
This is the way.
Gotta give a nod to the IRC tire guy, Rich Larsen. My 13yr old son and I have been working on clutch control, front wheel pops and static balance. I didn't even recognize my son on our last trail ride, he was fearlessly climbing chunky rocky hills.....on a stock small wheel yz85 with a fww. I was proud to have him humble me. So in his case it's true, learn to ride slow to go fast.
Mountain bikes. I got back on motorcycles a few years ago after about 30 years, but was riding MTB's during that time. Bicycles are waaay more twitchy, but build fitness and teach momentum, balance and looking ahead. You can't just twist a throttle to get through a situation.
That and dial in your suspension. Learn your clickers, experiment and take notes. As with cars, it's more fun to go fast on a slow machine than to go slow on a fast one.
I know it sounds stupid, but one of the things that has helped my riding the most is just concentrating on my breathing and nothing else during hard sections. It seems like the bike and my body already know what to do, I just have to get out of their way and let it happen.
Do you recommend psilocybin or lsd?
1. Trying things multiple times if I sucked at them
2. Regularly timing myself around a track of some sort. Made progress from 30+ min to 14:13, Still trying to catch my riding buddy 2 minutes ahead.
I totally agree about psychedelic explorations for positive mental/emotional health. I recommend people take this very seriously and consider the place and setting, the people that are going to be there, and especially plan the dosage you're going to do beforehand, and exactly what type of mushrooms you're going to try. But if you consider all those things carefully, it is a journey that is almost 100% positive for people, it's non-addictive, and it always gives you an insight into all kinds of things about your life , your problems, and the solutions, that you probably would have never thought of before. Also, doing microdoses (1/10th to 1/20th of a small recreational dose, so say 50mg to 100mg of dried) is brain vitamins and does wonders with people with chronic depression. I know this 2nd hand from a friend with chronic depression, as well as several people he knows. If you can try microdosing instead of prescription antidepressants, try it, you may be very surprised. And we're talking about a dose that you almost can't even feel at all, or may not feel at all, but it benefits chronic depression just the same. Pretty incredible.
Where to begin?
@@mxbadboy263 I wrote you a huge reply with all kinds of info and links, but the RUclips AI automated Karen machine took it down almost instantaneously. Give me an email address and I'll send you all you need to know about how to get started.
Thank you so much for sharing your mental health struggles and road to improvement! The stigma needs to be broken. Especially in overly macho toxic masculinity settings (not saying dirbiking is necessarily one of them), there's far too much "suck it up, don't be a wuss" attitude going around. So glad to see guys like yourself who seem fearless have no problem seeking help. You're always putting in the work, and the payout is apparent. Also, I was very shocked to see you comparing yourself to yourself just 2 years ago, because I felt like you were always fast as f*ck!
And the biggest thing that has levelled up my riding? Completely ignoring any bike problems. Get in the mindset that my bike is the single fastest and most technologically advanced machine ever made, even though it's an old low compression dual sport from the 90s. That way, the bike is never the excuse, it's all just me.
My riding lvl'd up by getting coaching and correcting my own bad habits and not blaming the bike. Ill admit that starting with an awesome bike helps to highlight the real problem (the rider)...lol
Riding mountain bikes for endurance and momentum conservation skills, doing heavy squats and hip thrusts to be able to do miles of desert whoops without fatigue, and having a beer before riding if you feel too self-analytical to get into the flow. It wont affect your health or reaction time appreciably, and you can loosen up and focus on line selection and bike operation, letting the bike move beneath you.
Excellent mental health PSA. I will try to show this video to everyone! Thanks.
"Before you diagnose yourself with depression or low self-esteem, first make sure that you are not, in fact, just surrounded by assholes." ~ Sigmund Freud.
🤣🤣
Getting into a habit of good body position, squeezing with my knees and letting the bike work underneath me has allowed me to ride faster over obstacles that used to daunt me.
Slowing down a bit (not out riding my processor speed or rather getting behind the bike), not overthinking during the ride but rather taking it all in and deconstructing post-ride, positive visualization when thinking about a section or feature, and taking breaks if I wasn't having fun were all key elements to improving my riding. Riding with people who are just stoked to be out riding helps too.
Dude, Whoa, wait, whaaa? Enhanced skills by Psychedelic treatment??
Are we talking LSD? Peyote? THC? What are you talking about? Great video.
My biggest goal is having fun on the trails.
I started riding at 27 and my first bike ever was an XR600r. The way I became the rider I am today (now 31)
A. Watching torture test magazine
B. Ride or die situation... and when I say ‘die’ I mean long excruciating walks back to the truck in riding boots. Coming down a harsh obstacle (or crashing down one) where there is no option to turn back and the only option forward is harder than turning back... Really slaps you in the face with who you really are and what you’re made of. A couple of these situations later... I now seek out these obstacles and continue to overcome and improve. Might get me in trouble one of these days but let’s face it... we don’t ride dirt bikes for safety... and I as well have been very focused on mental and physical health the past couple years and can absolutely vouch for the connection between cognitive improvement and riding ability
I agree. I've got myself into a frigging hard enduro woods situation that tested every fiber of my physical and mental faculties. Only way out was forward.
@@mxbadboy263 the mind and body never forget those experiences
Ride with people that are faster and better than yourself but who are willing to share their knowledge to help you improve your skills.This may sound crazy but disable your back brake and only use your front brake.This where you get 65/75 percent of your stopping power.Then hit a straitaway over and over braking harder each time till your just on the edge of crashing.Practice practice practice.You will be on the throttle while everyone else is already braking.Late braking is agreat way of passing your competition.
Riding different bikes. HUGE difference... It makes you have to adapt to the situation, as the bike handles completely different then what you may be used to. The rider triangle is very different in different bikes, and same with the position you chose to ride the bike in. Try slower bikes to, as you may find you can push them harder, as they are more sturdy forgiving.
Do shrooms -> become better rider
When you realize that fear is an illusion, you start to unlock your real potential.
The hand position and foot position, sound stupid and obvius but when you learned to ride all by yourself whit 12 years with any knowledge teacher... Apart from that the gym was a game changer, all that strength will make a huge difference specially for the back pain