Cross training - trials-based enduro techniques & training

[betajuice]

About a year ago a few of us got into trials then started applying the techniques to the dirt bikes, as most of the top extreme enduro riders do. We aren't necessarily much good at it but hopefully the techniques will still come through clearly. This is the complete list from the website we knocked up here http://crosstrainingenduro.com/cross-tr ... niques.htm


BEFORE YOU START
Cross training - an introduction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMWs7Y5gLdA
Which is the best bike for cross training? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIdBljML-80
Best tyre pressure & avoiding punctures: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqraGcke42w
Making an endurocross track https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mC-iWo6yDlw
Bike setup for cross training: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4mgSUAW3Z4
Reducing arm pump: https://youtu.be/uA9RKod5Ltc
Protective gear: http://www.wdtc.org.au/cross-training-e ... e-gear.htm
Setting up your suspension: http://www.wdtc.org.au/cross-training-e ... -setup.htm
The most important technique you'll ever learn: http://youtu.be/zQ_fXPAwmPU

BASIC CROSS TRAINING TECHNIQUES
Develop your balancing skills: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SN5VB-0oVUg
Full lock turns: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejIN8vJq1Nw
Body positioning for cross training: https://youtu.be/tVT7zDDZtZw
Basic clutch control: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbWioMfQ4p8
Braking: http://www.wdtc.org.au/cross-training-e ... raking.htm
When to stand or sit on the bike: http://youtu.be/jjwbHb03NwA
The small practical wheelie https://youtu.be/047LMSOH9V0

INTERMEDIATE CROSS TRAINING TECHNIQUES
Dropping the clutch (but keeping traction): https://youtu.be/MDzJI8vq2cM
Drop offs & short steep descents: https://youtu.be/WoBztr83L9I
Covering the rear brake for wheelies: https://youtu.be/IFCwwugCwaA
Stand up wheelies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sbaIkmspCI
U-turns & tight corners: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wg_VhKkviu0
How to jump your enduro bike: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Svh5ZvgIxxA
How to ride in ruts: http://youtu.be/Q_j0bhr71Ko
Advanced u-turn techniques: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p09UguWwH2A
Riding in rocky creek beds: http://youtu.be/qrPj0Tr1r74
Hill climbs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hgkx7ZScqY
Hopping over logs: http://youtu.be/hqbccymFkQc
Balancing at a stand still: http://youtu.be/kPFp0i9hNpA
Short sharp inclines: http://youtu.be/6v3_XhGVQJ8
Using a kicker: http://youtu.be/NoKn8QDUJL8
Down hills and descents: http://youtu.be/sfNLSVghgRA
Traction tips for when you are stuck: https://youtu.be/G1lcuCjvavw

ADVANCED CROSS TRAINING TECHNIQUES
Walking your bike down steep slopes : https://youtu.be/GzDAA8i52pk
Slow sit down wheelies Jarvis-style: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDdd1f_W74E
Pivot turns & floater turns: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qq_YzYwe_DU
Jumping gaps, ditches and ruts: http://youtu.be/5ZP7LXfRZQM
Flat track turns & power slides: http://youtu.be/iv1HCpUm8W0
Weighting & deweighting: https://youtu.be/YxegCE9vJCM
Spotting for each other on tough obstacles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFD7Mg57IaQ
Bunny hops over two logs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFxi0ll6F_M

These were put together from a wide variety of sources, including tips from the masters of endurocross and extreme enduro riding: Graham Jarvis, Chris Birch, Jonny Walker, David Knight, Taddy Blazusiak, Dougie Lampkin and Andreas Lettenbichler who are all ex-trials champions - may their names and bikes be blessed forever, amen.

[GMP]

Very good references, thanks for posting that. Where I ride the terrain is perfect for this, and some of the local guys have ridden trials in the past and are very good at laying out trail over some interesting obstacles. I can see this being a change of pace from racing in the future. Question, do you guys set up your suspension significantly different for this, vs an average harescrambles setup? Thanks.

[betajuice]

i've never really mucked around with suspension much at all glenn. i did speak with a suspension specialist about this style of riding we do and he advised what i thought he would... just back off the damping a bit so we can preload the suspension better in some of the techniques, and even softer springs possibly. but of course we also mix the tight technical stuff up with everyday riding so tend not to bother making specific adjustments.

this sort of riding is a GREAT change of pace! after 50 the bones get brittle... over the past few years i shattered the lower leg then crushed my foot in another stack and resolved to just slow down but still challenge myself. so got into trials a year ago and started applying all the new techniques to the dirt bike.

piles of fun, heaps of bruises, but no broken bones and almost all our stacks are in first gear and usually at walking speed or slower.

[hawaiidirtrider]

Thanks! I'm subscribed... got some good stuff in there.. and welcome to the Beta tribe!!

[katoom400]

these video's are great, I've been watching them for some time.

my problem is that I have to find time to go out and practice the techniques...not easy to do on a Sunday ride where I'm more worried about just keeping up with the fast guys and not looking for obstacles to practice on. I might try and devote a night during the week and setup a "training course" in the woods close to my house.

I'm good at the wheelies but go over backwards now and then since I never remember to "covering the rear brake"....need to practice the slow wheelie...Jarvis makes it look soo easy!

I'm a dealer for rekluse and can try their LHRB, but I've actually been thinking about trying the clake slr setup which would lessen the clutch pull and give me a handlebar rear brake to keep me from looping out when I forget to cover the foot brake pedal. not sure I want to spend $400 just to try it out though.....

[betajuice]

...I'm good at the wheelies but go over backwards now and then since I never remember to "covering the rear brake"....need to practice the slow wheelie...Jarvis makes it look soo easy!

I'm a dealer for rekluse and can try their LHRB, but I've actually been thinking about trying the clake slr setup which would lessen the clutch pull and give me a handlebar rear brake to keep me from looping out when I forget to cover the foot brake pedal. not sure I want to spend $400 just to try it out though.....

after so many years of never covering the rear brake it's taking me ages to make it second nature... even now if i go way past the balance point i tend to throw the bike instead of just tapping that lever.

i can't personally comment on the rekluse lhrb but on the forums there are a fair few who've tried both and reckon the clake is worth the extra money... apparently the ergonomics are better and it's stronger (although never as strong as a foot lever of course).

i may have to go back to a rekluse unfortunately, this carpal tunnel syndrome is kicking in and all these clutch techniques i've been learning are great but very hard work on these middle aged arms despite the very light clutch on the clake 2 setup.

[betajuice]

found this interesting vid, a japanese trials rider doing some great techniques on an old KDX200 back in the 1990s. seems this cross training style of riding has been around for a while!

https://youtu.be/UftJBg0m_gc

[GMP]

Thats some funny shit Betajuice!

Makes me sorry I sold my wife's GG Pampera, would be perfect for learning this stuff. I think you really need a second bike, set up a little softer judging by all the suspension movement in these videos. Also one you don't mind tearing the fender off before a race or big ride.

[katoom400]

Thats some funny shit Betajuice!

Makes me sorry I sold my wife's GG Pampera, would be perfect for learning this stuff. I think you really need a second bike, set up a little softer judging by all the suspension movement in these videos. Also one you don't mind tearing the fender off before a race or big ride.

Glen, let's put a training area together, there is a lot of land to work with over by my house that is no longer traveled thanks to Hurricane Sandy. We are working on putting a single track in around all the massive blow down areas, so there is no shortage of logs to make a playground, and we have a small kabota machine available also.

I also emailed clake about the SLR for my my bike , keeping the rear foot pedal and using the slr as the clutch...not sure about ditching the foot pedal.... and this is what I got back today (very fast response at least)

Hi Andy,

With the SLR there is a loss both in feel and braking power if you retain the brake pedal, my preference with the SLR in combination with the auto clutch would be to use SLR for the rear brake

with a High Performance line direct to the rear calliper. I personally never use the brake pedal,

The shipping cost to the US is AUD $40 and it typically takes around 7 days, we are currently sold out of stock but will have a large batch of SLRs ready to ship by the end of this week Hope this helps!

Kind Regards Owen Hutchison.

[betajuice]

i'm still crap at covering the rear brake, even after months of practice! i try to do plenty of this every ride, but still occasionally it goes well past the balance point and i bail out instead of dabbing that rear brake pedal.... doh!

it is slowly becoming an instinct but i wish i'd learned this before ever even attempting wheelies. hard to break bad habits.

here's the training vid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFCwwugCwaA