pracitce suggestions for getting higher

[tjlr]

I have been riding for a little over a year now, and I would like to have your suggestions on the best ways, and the best obstacles to practice getting higher. I am stuck at a little over 2 feet on my pedal ups, and side hops. I am getting a little frustrated, so I need your input. Any pictures or pratice methods anyone would share would be appreciated.

[bouncingbabyboy]

Hopefully someone better than me will tell you how to soar, but in the mean time.

If you are stuck in a rut work on something else. Work on something less than your limit. Something you can easily do like a foot and a hlaf if you can do two. Work on landing on your fornt tire and roling up on, or pivots. Go back to basics and work on ballance, rocking, pivots... something you can already do and try to do it better. If you can improve your control a lot of times that will make a bigger difference when you go back to hit that two and a half footer that has been pissing you off.

[trialsrider50]

yeah sometimes just making sure you've got the small things perfect will help. I always find that if I'm stuck at a certain level. I just head out and do something different. I work on my natty skills for a few weeks. Then I'll come back, find a safe spot. (like don't try to increase your pedal ups on something sketchy) find a place you'd be comfortable bailing and just start trying. you won't get it the first time at all but usually you can figure out what you are not doing. First time I pedal upped to like the edge of picnic table I was to afraid I would get high enough. So I found a clean spot, with grass to help if I fell and just starting hopping. I think it took me like 30 tries to get up that thing. each time I was like, "ok that hop was way too late, that was too soon, ok kick your ass with the tire this time..." and just keep at it. it'll come. and the first time you land it. even though almost no one cares around you.(if there is anyone around) inside your like. fuck yeah, benito here i come bitch. don't know if that'll help but just gathering up enough balls to try sometimes is what you need. and don't try with the idea that you'll fail. you know the move is possible, you won't fail.

[aki]

If you're stuck then you probably need to ride with other riders (if there are any in your area) that are experience have them push you more & see what you're doing wrong. Or get a cheap camcorder & compare with other videos & see if where you can improve.

There's a lot of things you think you're doing right but from another's perspective it's completely wrong. It's kind of how I'm learning to sidehop better and tap up walls thanks to other riders. And the rest is just all practice...

[stickyworm]

My suggestions will likely sound completely mental but in an athletic sense make sense. 1st work out. Do leg presses and arm curls and run regularly. Unless uncomfortable, you can do your arm curls with your bike. 2nd learn first to american bunny hop onto stuff as this will use the full range of muscles used in a pedal up. It is important to be practiced at every stage of the move, so start small with something you can do and do it until it feels effortless. 3rd rest, only work a set muscle group every second day. Body builders and athletes work their upper body one day and their lower body the next, your muscles require 36 hours to reap the benefits of working out. And lastly, watch sick videos of TRA and get pumped up right before you go try a big up. Happy hopping!

[tjlr]

thanks for all of the advice. I work out regularly. But I can by no means run a marathon. I have weight trained for about 12 years now pretty consistantly. lately that has been a little less because I enjoy spending time with my wife and two kids, have been working 60 hours a week, and taking classes 2-3 nights a week for 4 hours. But I have been in better shape. I was also wondering what are your favorite types of obstacles to practice on ie. pallets, rocks, stairs or just whatever. I am thinking that I am going to just start stacking like 4 pallets, then 5 etc. just work on them until i feel good then just stack another one. I have a video camera but hate filming myself, but i will try that. I haven't ridden with anyone yet (everyone I know likes to ride downhill). I don't mind riding the single tracks, it is a blast but I personally like the challenge of trials. Oh ya, how much does your bike limit your abilities. The only trials bike I have rode is my monty x alp.

thanks

travis

[rush]

I really think riding natural stuff helps alot. If I ride like shit on an urban ride ill go ride natural and usually go really well.

Try swapping stuff around, riding just to have fun. Tweak the stuff you can do (x-ups, slow drops, smooth stylish ups etc) that gives confidence and often boosts performance.

Keep us updated with your progress, alot of the guys starting out like to hear how certain bits of info help out.

[beastoftheeast]

im probably no better than you cause my pedal ups are in the 2-3 foot range but i like to find a wall that gradually gets bigger, preferable wood cause its more forgiving to the pedals, cranks, and just slowly try to go a little bigger.

[bouncingbabyboy]

I have to agree with Beastoftheeast that if you have a wall or a stage like the one we have here that is the size of a street curb at one end and three feet at the other end it is great to start in the shallow end and work your way up. That is how I learned wheely drops. Just nail it again and again then get a little bigger.

[tjlr]

thanks guys. I will keep you updated, and maybe post a video for you to kindly watch and pick apart.

[rush]

That would be cool, seeing a video gives everyone a much better idea of ways to improve, for themselves as well as you.