Tight switch backs (2nd one on KDM)

[ollietrex]

Rode KDM for the first time in a while yesterday and it was savage... Probably on par with Rock & Roll for being a classic. The bit that I was struggling on was the second switch back before you ride over the stream... Its just to tight and like the one on bench cut I just cant seem to get round.


I am not endo master so that is kinda out of the question. Any tips for how to ride these with having to dab?

[diamondG]

yes I know the one


for me there's something about right hand turn switch backs..


looking forward to trying it again, its been awhile


In relation to benchcut and switch backs in general, the advice we got was

- make sure the front wheel uses all the corner, so if its a turn right, the front wheel can almost go left first, so it scibes a bigger circle through the outside line of the corner

- the temptation is to have all your weight over the back wheel, but then you've little control over where the bike is turning. Put your weight over the front wheel, makes alot of sense, but it involves commitment


there's the theory..

when we're up at kdm next time, I'll be doing demos of different crashes on that switchback

[Oisin]

Focus on a point on the outside line on the corner as close to the edge as possible (you can practice by putting some kind of marker there). Then when turning into it, make sure your front wheel goes over this point so you turn in as big circle as possible like Graham says. There is always a tendency to turn too sharply but if you go wide then the back wheel can follow through without clipping the apex of the corner. Its all in the mind.

[Fergal]

indeed - you have to 'see' yourself doing it - but it is a tough corner,

remember not to skid your back wheel as it will follow a different line if it skids versus if it is allowed to roll...

an endo wouldn't really help as the bank is too high and the back wheel would scrub it on the way down (I ended up in the small stream at the bottom of that section while trying this!)


PS - did you enjoy the bridge?

[ollietrex]

The bridge is class, I rode it once straight off and then went back and did it again. Seem pretty solid but the whole of KDM is really nice at the moment... will defo be riding it more to get up on the skills side...

[ollietrex]

Thanks for the advice had another go tonight and managed to ride it on my second attempt. Now just need to get the rocky short climbs after it...