Sharp As A Marble - Episode #5

Scott answers questions from Amateur Soldier, Saucisson Savoyard, Crazy kid, and Xfighter on topics ranging from how to get your drift on, to what it takes to get a proper sponsorship. And no, winning the Muckinbudden novice race won't help...

• Amateur Soldier asks:
Do you have any tips on how to deal with rear wheel slide? When mine slides out I just freak out and lock up, which usually means crashing...

Hey Soldier boy. What do you mean “deal with rear wheel slide”? Isn't that why we ride our bikes? Isn't that why we are mountain bikers, to slide, drift, roost, cutty… Make it your aim to make your rear wheel slide even longer, fingers on the bars, not on the brake levers, let it all hang out! Most riders out there usually get a little bit out of control, but it's what happens next that defines you as a rider. Do you squat to pee, or not? In other words, if you panic and squeeze the ejector levers, you will crash. Or do you choose to ‘ride it out’ and not panic, or at least have a little faith, or even be really crazy and enjoy your slide? All you need to do is re-adjust your weight distribution. If you are leaning too far forward your back wheel is light and may slide. Leaning too far back can also have a similar effect, depending on the circumstances. You have to find the perfect center point for you body weight. My training program, even the top pros, has drills to help them practice that skill. Enjoy your riding and learning to drift!



• Saucisson Savoyard asks:
I'm not really sure if my question will match the subject, but I'll try. I'd like to know if there's any tips to reduce finger pain during DH riding? It's fine for the two first runs, but then it's really hard to concentrate on the track and the riding! I Hope my English isn't too bad! Thanks!

Hey SS, your English is just fine, better than most of the bloggers that apparently have English as there furst langwidge... I tried learning French at least 5 times, I have probably lived in French speaking countries for two years of my life, and I still can't order a meal unless the menu has pictures. What kind of fork do you have? A RockShox Judy DH from 1995 that has 80mm of travel may not be enough for what you are doing, and if they really are 16 years old, you should upgrade to something newer. You could try loosening your grip, and maybe breath once or twice. Try fatter grips, thinner grips, lock-on grips, closer brake levers, use one finger braking using the very end of the brake lever, do twinkle fingers every time the track is smooth and flat, only move your fingers from the bars to the brake levers if you are using the brakes, get proper fitting gloves… If you clinch your fingers on the bars without ever loosening your grip, you cut off the blood supply to the fingers. If anybody gets hungry while reading this, have a watch of this:






• Crazy kid asks:
I race XC and during the winter I ride a stationary trainer for an hour. What other workouts should I do to help improve my racing

Wow, you do sound crazy, kid. XC and stationary training!? You’re nuts! What’s wrong with Play Station and Face Book? You are weird… But seriously, you are part of the way there. You could include some fundamental skill drills, some strength and conditioning, and maybe a structured training program, like the sort of thing that most top pros pay to have because they know it helps them! Check out my program at www.racebrain.com



• Xfighter asks:
As most people who ask questions here are DH racers and want to improve in the sport, I have a question that might interest a lot of them: sponsorship! What is the best way to get them (starting small)? What do they want in return? What do we get out of it? And how do we know if a company or offer is worth it? Starting small meaning that we are national racers who have few or no sponsors and do it for the love of the sport, not for money. Thanks in advance!

Howdy Fighter Dude. Sponsorship is a tricky subject. A lot of people want sponsorship because it's cool, so they spend all of their time trying to get a sponsor rather than trying to get results. If you really dig racing, and are seriously passionate about it and don’t really care whether or not you are sponsored, you will most likely go out and ride your bike for fun and the love riding your bike - and most likely kick ass! One day you will win a race, and somebody will see your passion and spirit, and they will walk up to you and offer a sponsorship... Maybe. If this doesn’t happen, it is most likely that the guy that has the job of finding talented riders to sponsor is too hung up kissing ass, or maybe off for a ride, or maybe just looking after his buddies. So, as much as it pains me to say, talent and good personality should be enough, but it usually isn’t. If you have any self respect, you will focus on getting results while being a good person. Practice marketing yourself. Make ‘everybody’ your friend. But at the same time you don’t want to be 'that guy', that sniveling dweeb that primarily focuses on being friendly with all the ‘right’ people. Nobody likes that person. A sponsor needs to know what he/she will get out of the deal, it is not a one way street. Eg, he gives you $2 million, and you give them a photo of you winning the Muckinbudden novice left handed, blue moon, chainless single speed, 24 inch rear wheel, rigid, vintage, seeding run (but crashed in the final... but you would have won). You should only accept the sponsorship if you truly believe in the product, it is hard to promote a product that you think is a pile of shit. With every sponsorship deal comes a catch, an obligation, nothing is for free anymore, it’s a tough world out there. Appreciate anything anybody ever gives you. Show your appreciation, and most of all, be prepared to do the sport just for the love of it.





Scott Sharples has been a professional coach for 10 years now. He has coached a few World Champions, including Sam Hill, and now offers many levels of personalized training depending on your needs. If you are a serious rider who is looking to get faster and more confident you can contact him at sscoach@gmail.com or visit www.RaceBrain.com to sign up. Scott was the Junior Downhill Coach for the Australian National Team and also coached many of the World’s fastest mountain bike athletes. He is currently working with the USA’s Junior MTB Gravity racers.

• Curious about equipment choice?
• Wondering which exercises you should do to get faster on your DH bike?
• Want to have faster and more consistent runs?

Put your questions in the comment section!