Dino Race at Southwestway

[matte1401]

Thanks Brian and DINO team for a great season.  You guys run a first class operation. 
 
On a side note -- Looking for some technique advice from folks on how to clear the LARGE tree that crossed the middle of the trail down in the straight and fast section. I ended up dismounting on lap 1 and carrying my bike and then taking the re-route to the left on laps 2-3, all of which cost time.  I noticed on the far right there was a lower section that must have been hoppable, but it was still a bit too big for me to attempt. 

[holzhaus]

Thanks everyone for the compliments; we were pleased with the race course, lots of variety, plenty of passing zones, and a memorable challenging climb.


Regarding the log crossing technique - I became good at log crossings many years ago when I had a "private trail" peppered with many large logs. Practice, practice... put some logs / boards in your yard if you need to.
At moderate speed, pop a wheelie just high enough to touch the top of the log with front wheel... get up off the saddle, and just after you contact the log with the front tire, shift weight rearward, push the handlebars forward/downward, and let the back end bounce up and over the log.


FYI this is a similar motion to a bunny hop, which is the coolest way to clear a log crossing, but the log will "help" get the back end off the ground.

[matte1401]

Thanks Brian.  This skill has been vexing me for awhile and I'm trying to figure out the timing of how all those things come together.
 
What kind of speed are you talking about? 
 
Do you bounce the front wheel hard off the log to get it higher before you throw the bike underneath you?
 
When you get up off the saddle, are you jumping hard and compressing the rear wheel to launch the bike up higher or is it more like you're just standing up and throwing the  bike forward underneath you?
 
 

[holzhaus]

Thanks Brian.  This skill has been vexing me for awhile and I'm trying to figure out the timing of how all those things come together.
 
What kind of speed are you talking about?   

Relative to size of log and skill of rider    but maybe 8-10 mph for the big log out there on the SWWY course? Ideally, enough momentum to get over without needing a pedal stroke.
 

  Do you bounce the front wheel hard off the log to get it higher before you throw the bike underneath you?

No, just a light touch on the log.
 

  When you get up off the saddle, are you jumping hard and compressing the rear wheel to launch the bike up higher or is it more like you're just standing up and throwing the  bike forward underneath you?

No, just getting up so that there's room for the bike to move up and forward. To bunny hop, you do compress prior to jumping up... but that's a bit more advanced than just clearing a log.

[Dave Tozer]

If you missed riding "the hill" over the weekend...

   

 "Aaaaaaahhh!!!"   

[gt ss]

If you missed riding "the hill" over the weekend...

   

 "Aaaaaaahhh!!!"   

I'm gonna assume that you rode that when I ask, "Did you take names or what?" NICE

[4mula1]

Nice video Dave!  Add in about 3x the number of people walking the hill and it would start to look like Iceman!

[RDF73Charger]

I too had my most fun DINO of the year. I like that the climb came later in the lap.
Rather than early at some of the other courses. Cleared all the small log crossings.
Which I had never done at SWW before. Seemed like there was always someone to race
all day.

[Dave Tozer]

Pictures of the race by Beth Bragg (AKA, "Sweetpea")

  http://www.flickr.com/photos/dtozer/sets/72157631343170832/

Free for the takin'.   

[robhamer]

A buddy and I rode there a few weeks before the DINO race for the first time and was basically lost. We were at the far southern end I believe; where there is an even larger hill. Neither of us made it up it no further than a bike length or two. We hoofed it up and came out near a green of the golf course. After talking with the guys at the Grey Goat, I realized we was way off course and in the horse part. I can't imagine anyone climbing that thing on a bike!!