how to get my groove back

[Sheena]

So I took another little tumble today after riding down a log on a steep sandy part of a trail. Not a huge fall, but enough to completely knock the wind out of me.

So, this combined with my fall two weeks ago, I was a little freaked on the rest of the down hill, to the point where I was pretty much on my breaks most of the time and walked a lot of it.

Any tips to help get my groove back?

 

[volklgirl]

Go back to doing something that you're comfortable with, but still challenges you (like going up and down curbs). Practice those skills that will help you face it next time. Then just give yourself some time to build up confidence before tackling that one again. Work on a slight lifting of your front end and keeping your weight back behind the saddle. Also, make sure you're standing up and staying back over obstacles....you'll be less likely to go head first that way. :(

I STILL haven't tried the big log skinny at Shearer Rd after dropping off it face-first last year, and I'd ridden that one probably 5 times successfully before that. I know I have the skills, I just need the confidence and the right frame of mind.

 

[Consuela]

Go back to doing something that you're comfortable with, but still challenges you (like going up and down curbs). Practice those skills that will help you face it next time. Then just give yourself some time to build up confidence before tackling that one again. Work on a slight lifting of your front end and keeping your weight back behind the saddle. Also, make sure you're standing up and staying back over obstacles....you'll be less likely to go head first that way. :(

I STILL haven't tried the big log skinny at Shearer Rd after dropping off it face-first last year, and I'd ridden that one probably 5 times successfully before that. I know I have the skills, I just need the confidence and the right frame of mind.

What she said...

Sheena, I'm so sorry you had another spill! It never hurts to recover your confidence and affirm your foundation with an easier trail when you've had a spill or two.

On a side note, I could be totally off here, but I can help but thinking that your bike looks totally (OMG, I'm so valley) huge for you whenever I see your pic posts. If this is the case, it could be difficult (reads "near impossible") for you to get you weight back far enough for some of these more difficult down hills because you still have to stretch so far forward just to reach the bars.

I recall you've been dreaming of a new bike, like me. If it's still a ways off and your current bike is truly too big for you (and I don't mean just a little too big), then maybe keep it a little tamer on the DH until you get that new Safire, Cypher, Juliana, or whatever you end up with??? Just a thought...

 

[altagirl]

I agree. Step back and ride something easier that you can ride comfortably with more speed/confidence. Something that just feels fun - not scary at all.

Once you get the feeling back, then you can jump back into pushing yourself again.

And don't be too hard on yourself. We've all been there. (I'm battered and bruised from sliding out on roots in Vermont now...)

Do make sure your bike fits you okay - that can make a big difference. And heal up and have fun!

 

[Consuela]

How's your grove, friend?

 

[Sheena]

I have mainly been hitting the dirt roads/double track. For some reason the single track down hill freaks me out a little.

I am really mad at myself. I made HUGE progress this spring/early summer, and now I feel like I am back to square one.

I wish I was not such a wimp about this stuf!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Consuela]

Hi Sheena,

I'm glad to hear you are still riding! Set backs can be frustrating, but please don't be too hard on yourself. You've come a long way and that is not really lost. It's just maybe a little hidden. I know you can get it back with a little time, if you still want it.

Is it mainly the Single Track going down that are your nemisis? If going up is okay, are there any routes where you can get back on the single track going up or more flat'ish with the route back down on a fire road? You know, maybe something to give you a taste again with low risk of tumbling.

Keep with it and remember to have fun!

 

[SnowHot]

Bummer sheena. I know what you're talking about.
I have some gremlins in my head on the downhills and sand that I just haven't shaken since I broke my wrist. My injury wasn't bad but still, I'm set back and it drives me nuts.

I told Volklgirl.
I'm gonna fake it until I make it!!!!
After I determined that, I've had better rides and am finally getting a bit of it back.

 

[tradygirl]

Oh, I know exactly how you feel! After my rock-to-the-face and a broken wrist in March, I was a total junk show on my bike in June when I started riding again. I was so timid and scared to fall, which resulted in me riding even more out of control, which led to frustration and even more fear.

The key for me was to get my confidence back. I found two things that really seemed to help. First, I rode my favorite "easy" trails repeatedly over the course of a few weeks. I practiced riding in a more aggressive stance throughout the whole ride - legs off the seat and frame and really using the whole cockpit. Pump aggressively on rollers, practice loading and unloading your suspension on unconsequential obstacles like small rocks or bumps. Practice hitting the easy stuff you are confident on with even more aggression - hit a rock garden with more speed, take a bermy corner a little faster, look a little further through a switchback, etc. Eventually I found myself going even faster and with more stability than I did all last year!

Second, do some lift serve with full armor if possible. Nothing will help your confidence like a full-face helmet and body armor!! A few days at Deer Valley and Sundance in early July did wonders for my confidence. Not only are you protected, but the lift allows you to work the same trail sections over and over without getting extremely tired. It may not be a bad idea to get some lightweight armor for cross-country rides as well just to boost your confidence.

Being confident and relaxed is really the goal, and realistically it's very personal what works for each person. Getting over fear is a very difficult process. I think AG did some work this year on her mental game and maybe she could recommend some good reading material.

 

[Consuela]

+1 on the armor! Nothing like a little plastic courage to give you a leg up!

I've even been wearing it on my more normal rides. I have no idea if strangers think I'm a complete dork or a complete animal, but who cares, right?

I'm an easy bruiser and it's been nice to only have a couple bruises here and there, as compared to constantly looking like a "human connect-the-dots game".

 

[abc]

A dirt camp?

Have a more knowledgable person to look at your whole riding, from bike fit to technique. Add armor if neccessary.

Maybe there's more than just nerve in your downhill woes. Maybe your brain is right, preventing you to do something that could really hurt you?

 

[Sheena]

I took a dirt camp in June and it REALLY helped my biking. A LOT. I was doing well, and trying more challenging trails. I was doing fine until I took two pretty big tumbles. Now I did not break anything or require stiches,, so compared to others, they definitely were not serious falls, but enough to put the fear back into me.

He Connie - I am an easy bruiser too. In fact when I was biking a lot early this summer, my legs were constantly briused.

I am working on slowly letting myself get more speed as I go downhill. Next I really have to get back on some slightly technical single track, and see how that goes.

*sigh*

 

[LilaBear]

Maybe your brain is right, preventing you to do something that could really hurt you?

I totally believe in this statement when applied to activities such as firewalking, or bungee jumping (for me at least). But when it comes to skiing or biking, no way, no how! Of course I'll never do what AltaGirl does (much kudos to you AG, it's just not for me), and I'll never do extreme skiing. I can still get plenty nasties doing my version of tame extreme sports but I ain't going to stop while the adrenaline is still pumping.

I think Sheena is great, you've recognised your blocks and are looking for how to get over/around them. If you still have that spirit in you, it's not time to let your brain tell you to quit, just do what you're doing and work with it not against it - go out and ride anything you feel comfortable with.

 

[abc]

I took a dirt camp in June and it REALLY helped my biking. A LOT. I was doing well, and trying more challenging trails. I was doing fine until I took two pretty big tumbles. Now I did not break anything or require stiches,, so compared to others, they definitely were not serious falls, but enough to put the fear back into me.

What did you learn during the dirt camp that helped you the most? Maybe you can re-pratice those skills and get them to be your second nature. Focusing your brain on the technique might also help to take your mind off the fear factor too.

 

[abc]

I totally believe in this statement when applied to activities such as firewalking, or bungee jumping (for me at least). But when it comes to skiing or biking, no way, no how! Of course I'll never do what AltaGirl does (much kudos to you AG, it's just not for me), and I'll never do extreme skiing. I can still get plenty nasties doing my version of tame extreme sports but I ain't going to stop while the adrenaline is still pumping.

I used to crash a lot and was a firm believer in "if you don't crash, you're not trying hard enough". Fortunately, I heal fast! But attending a couple of clinics taught me while I was trying hard enough, I wasn't trying smart enough! A friend of mine who races and wins x-c expert class races. She almost never crashes. She simply work her way through each and every obstacle on the course over and over again until she can make it 100%!

Now, I don't crash half as often but I'm doing more challenging stuff than I ever thought I'd try. On the other hand, some of the stuff I'm routinely doing now, are not fun to crash... in the east, there're TREES. They don't move at all!!! :( So crashing less is also a neccesity of survival! ;-)

 

[SnowHot]

Sheena, hows the groove?
I'm starting to get a better feel again, but I switched bikes, so I have a whole different feel than the bike I crashed on.

 

[Sheena]

Sheena, hows the groove?
I'm starting to get a better feel again, but I switched bikes, so I have a whole different feel than the bike I crashed on.

not as well as I should. I am riding a little bit.. not as much as I should.

Tomorrow we are going for a 25 mile ride. According to the trail guide, only one section of steep switchbacks - we will see how it goes.

Certainly much nicer weather now than in the summer: afternoon highs in the mid-70s and wake up and go to work temps in the low 40s/

 

[abc]

Who are you riding with?

Try following someone closely (if need be, have them slow down for you to follow) also helps a lot in building confidence. Seeing how easily they got down it, with SOME speed, really make a difference.

BTW, you know for trail riding, speed is your friend, right?

 

[SnowHot]

not as well as I should. I am riding a little bit.. not as much as I should.

Tomorrow we are going for a 25 mile ride. According to the trail guide, only one section of steep switchbacks - we will see how it goes.

Certainly much nicer weather now than in the summer: afternoon highs in the mid-70s and wake up and go to work temps in the low 40s/

Don't feel bad.
I rode with my friend Tom today. A 13.5 mile trail that he usually rides in 1h10m, took us 1h40m today, because I slowed him down in the tight switchbacks THAT much.
Hey, at least we're still riding and not drifting off into a sedentary life.
Kudos to you for getting back out there.
I'm in it with ya!

 

[Sheena]

So woke up too late to do the long ride - MUST do it tomorrow. I went for a shorter ride today (7.5 mi) and at the 3.7 mark, my handlebars suddely loosened and slipped all the way forward om a slight down-hill part of the trail as it enters the single-track switchbacks. Very scary. It was one LOOOOONG walk home. Just got back. Blech. At least it is a nice cool day today.