It is becoming increasingly obvious that I lack this in my riding, and I feel it is holding me back from progressing my riding: Mainly when it comes to jumps and really long, steep stuff (arse touching rear tyre type).
Any tips for getting a more PMA? (apart from the obvious MTFU)
visualize your ride before you do it and how well it goes.
PMA comes from knowing you have the skills and ability. Makes sure you depend on skills and ability rather than fake PMA.
See I kind of disagree with that, to a point: I know how to do jumps, I know how to ride steep stuff, and I have the skills to do so, but there are some things that I just can't bring myself to do (as I said: mainly biggish jumps and really steep stuff).
The funny thing about the steep stuff is that if it is really technical, then I'm fine, but if it's just a steep roll, then the fear sometimes takes over (not always, though).
Is it a case of having the balls to do jumps or is it the case of having the skills to do jumps? Most people rely on balls - they're the ones that spend half the year injured...
Skills day. A good trainer will give you the mental stuff so you can do the physical stuff. If yr in the North I can recommend [url= http://www.cycleactive.co.uk ]Cycleactive[/url]
After 2 falls and 2 broken shoulders my head was not in a great place. I told them I needed to work on my confidence and by teaching me loads of techniques on how to handle the bike properly, confidence duly came 🙂
mikey,
just relax and indentify what it is that scares you/give you fear then build from there
To get a better PMA, MTFU.
HTH.
mtfu is a simple yet dangerous technique
May I suggest that you WTFU. Women have to use skill because most of them dont have balls.
the mtfu dont work with women for a reason
Hahaha I was wondering when it would descend into the MTFUing.
Thanks for the advice there folks. Jedi: I agree that relaxing is one thing I am not good at, so that's probably something I need to work on the most.
It's probably telling that when I'm flowing down the trail, just reacting, and not thinking too much, is when I ride the best. When I stop to think about it is when I get into trouble.
It's probably telling that when I'm flowing down the trail, just reacting, and not thinking too much, is when I ride the best. When I stop to think about it is when I get into trouble.
I used to be like this when I was a kid. Especially for games like Cricket/Rounders where you have too much time to think and not much time actually doing anything to get the adrenaline flowing. Never had it with MTBing though.
Seemed to dissapear when I got older and more confident, although I do sometimes get it if I play golf and Im having a bad day.
Seemed to disappearwhen I got older and more confident
Actually scratch that,
Seemed to disappear when I got older and didnt care so much.
Who do you ride with? Are they above or below your level? I found it helped me a lot following fast skilled riders and their line choice etc to build confidence. They are a great bunch of chaps and there was never any MTFU involved, just practice until one day, you are smashing sections you bottled before. Training is wise tho, money well spent as opposed to the latest bling. 😀
Following fast / better people is good. I find not only do I go faster, I'm more likely just to follow them over things that normally I'd be off and walking!
I find PMA works for me when I'm tired, i.e. in races if I tell myself that I'm not tired I can normally keep going a bit faster 😛
I actually ride on my own, which is probably half the problem.