[Closed] Jedi'd

Welcome to the club ! We all agree it's the best money you'll spend on your biking.

Best upgrade my bike ever got.

Best upgrade my bike ever got.

^ This 🙂

Yep, me too, was down there earlier this week. Went up to my local park today and cleared a gap jump I've been bottling out of since I found it 6 months ago.

.... it's not just an upgrade, it's an investment with fantastic returns!

I really need to get myself on one of these courses.

I got similar results from a gear cable change 😉

Nope.

Terrific ins't it / ain't he! Been "done" twice, thinking about booking the 3rd time! 😉

Everytime you go to Hertshore, you see stuff and go "never gonna do that" but eventually, you work up to it!

2nd session booked. Really looking forward to selling out more skills.. Not happy that im less fit this time round

ah thanks guys 🙂
high5 on the gap dave

I attended his course about 5 months ago - very useful and well worth the price

Still think back to his tips on every ride, trying to make them instinctive

Jumps & drops training was helpful but the cornering tips were the most useful

I'll be going back for a refresher next year!

I think I'll book to go again actually.

Are people above talking about public days or one-to-one tuition?
Would I have to pay separately for both my bikes to be taught?

I'm hoping all the advise will settle in a bit quicker than 5 months ! So I had my first post Jedi ride yesterday - so many things to think about - and so quickly, it feels so good good when it all comes together though 🙂 I also found I had the tools to try a small double in Stanmer (no consequences if you mess it) I didn't nail it, but I will - day off today, so I'm gonna hit the trails again.

Would I have to pay separately for both my bikes to be taught?

Made me laugh out loud at the office 🙂

/Johan

boltonjon - Member
Jumps & drops training was helpful but the cornering tips were the most useful

Cornering and general trail technique is where it's really paid off for me. Faster, better flow, more relaxed and efficient riding. Really helped in the alps.

Jumps and drops, definitely worked for me but I've lapsed by not really practising enough. I need to set aside time often to session jumps and drops. When I do that it starts coming together again.

I'm hoping all the advise will settle in a bit quicker than 5 months !

I'll be amazed if it doesn't take a lot longer - but embrace the continual change!

Loved my session with Jedi, i learnt to jump again, for some reason I'd either lost confidence of just lost the technique, but a day with Tony and I was flying again. Can't wait to go back next summer & learn more.

[quote=deadkenny]Jumps and drops, definitely worked for me but I've lapsed by not really practising enough. I need to set aside time often to session jumps and drops. When I do that it starts coming together again.

Don't set aside time for specifically practising one or two things - integrate them into your ride - otherwise you end up thinking "OMG! It's been 5 months since I did a jump! I'll forget everything Jedi taught me!"

You'd be amazed how many roots, rocks, kerbs, etc you can "jump" off without thinking about it...

How much do these Jedi days cost?

1 to 1 is £180 I think.

The problem with integrating into rides is most the options I get are things I've always had hang ups on and riding with a group we go through the trail and want to move on to the next so I often chicken run them and thus don't practice. I do find excuses not to do them. It's all mental blocks. Tony has pointed the way and unlocked some of them, I just need to be in the right place when I get to the local 'features' that have historically concerned me.

Oddly if I go to a trail centre I'm far more confident probably because they're purpose built and I have confidence in the trail not to throw me a surprise or be changed since I last rode it through conditions or digging. Plus trails in Wales or the Alps I find run fast, you follow other fast riders and I just find I go for it without thinking

Though jumping off or over roots, rocks, kerbs etc I often do naturally now without thinking. It's the bigger features like jumps and drops where I can't see the landing and there's a pile of roots on the lip or landing or it's a gap, those things get me. More so for some reason when they are on a steep descent. I think I worry about the speed and yet if it's a flat run up I'm much happier.

1 to 1 is £210 now?

I'd love to but can't afford.

Would love to give this a go but Herfordshire is too far for me to get to 🙁

Would love to ride his setup...

I went in a group of 4 close riding buddies and i think it helped as you could watch your mates doing things right or wrong - then try to nail it myself the next time around

Its also been helpful on subsequent rides with the same guys - as a group will remember Tony's tips much better than just you

I think we paid about £100 each - well worth it

Be warned - he gets booked up quick so plan far in advance

It'd be a bit shit if you went on such courses and you were still slower than another rider/stranger on the trails 😆

We've seen a couple of these but no names mentioned 😉

1 to 1 is £210 now?

I'd love to but can't afford.

Except this will actually make you faster. 🙂

Come up to Scotland 😉

Just think of it like an upgrade to your bike/suspension or a new frame, etc.

I've got a whole load of pointing to pay out for along with a new bathroom.

Somethings are more important unfortunately.

The thing is I'm not unhappy with my riding. I think alot of people watch DVD's of pro's and gobble up the bike bag-stuff and convince themselves that they need to be [i]better[/i].

Principally I like riding as it gets me out into the woods/beautiful surroundings. Secondly as it kind of keeps me fit/sane. Anything else is third/a bonus.

I guess its the other way round for some, each to their own.

I can understand why you might think that. However, if you ever do get Jedi'd, you'll see how wrong you were, and probably kick yourself for not doing it sooner.

Why? I'm happy with my riding. I think people chase 'what can be' too much. You should ride to get out there/help you relax. Again, everyone gets that in different ways- I'm tired of 'can be better'.

1 to 1 is £210 now?

High5!

hora - Member
Why? I'm happy with my riding. I think people chase 'what can be' too much. You should ride to get out there/help you relax. Again, everyone gets that in different ways- I'm tired of 'can be better'

I'm with you Hora...

Even if i go and get Jedi'd, the trails that some seem to have are not the trails i have around me. Mine are either proper quick ridgeway type fireroad trails, or real gnarly in middle of ferns type stuff.

There's not a lot in the way of jumps/berms etc, i can honestly say i've found 1 in the last 2 years.

hora
It'd be a bit shit if you went on such courses and you were still slower than another rider/stranger on the trails

Sorry, i disagree! It's not about "absolute speed", someone will ALWAYS be faster than you, it's about riding at your own pace, and if after some coaching you feel you are riding smoother, with less effort, and almost certainly with less "risk" then that coaching has been worthwhile. You might never get onto a Strava leaderboard, and you'll probably never care about that, but you will be riding "better" 😉

Why? I'm happy with my riding. I think people chase 'what can be' too much. You should ride to get out there/help you relax. Again, everyone gets that in different ways- I'm tired of 'can be better'.

😆

Err I said 'I'd love to but cant afford'. As in I'd love to to see what all the fuss is about/see what its like. I'd also love to go to New York, I never will as it seems a nice place, people rave about it, its in lots of movies but it'll never happen as I can't afford but more importantly I can't be arsed. You can always find money to do something, its the level of inclination needed. I don't [i][b]need[/b][/i] it [b]that[/b] much.

I'm happy with my riding. What I'm NOT happy with is my fitness level.

My mate hopped up the kerb at a 45 degree angle. I stopped and lifted my bike up onto the path.
I want to be able to get up the kerb. I want to be able to manual.
I have a nice expensive bike I want to do it some justice.
Jedi is on my Christmas list.

Anyway, as you were (sorry for the slight deviation/negativity OP) 🙂

zippykona - Member

My mate hopped up the kerb at a 45 degree angle. I stopped and lifted my bike up onto the path.
I want to be able to get up the kerb. I want to be able to manual.
I have a nice expensive bike I want to do it some justice.

Could you not ask your mate friend to show you how to do it? Or sell your bike and buy one more suited to your abilities...

[img] [/img]

😀

I regularly ride in a big group and i'm amazed with the number of people who can't hop onto a pavement or do a small manual to get themselves over obstacles.

Often, people ask for tips on how to do these things, and i'm more than happy to share the knowledge

99% of my riding technique has been developed by following much more skillful riders than me - follow, imitate and refine over time

Coaching by someone like Jedi though was a great way for me to learn the proper techniques, give me the confidence to hit that gap jump, but more importantly, to take away lots of advice & knowledge which i could continue to hone in the coming months

So, i'd say that the less skillful riders amongst us should spend more time riding with people better than them - but if you want that bit extra - go on a coaching day - it doesn't need to be Jedi - as there are plenty of very good coaches around - but for £100 - it'll be money well spent

Well, I've yet to read a bad review about a training session with Tony.
I really enjoyed my time there, unfortunately not been able to put it into practice much....
Off there again next week with some mates, cant wait and doing a sun dance as we speak. 😀
You pays yer money and makes yer choice, makes me laugh with people passing comment about it and not having tried it....

Weather you go or not is up to the individual, but I'm 100% sure that Tony is only in this game as everyone that has ever ridden with him knows he was born to do this.
He is a top chap & not in it for the money, the money allows him to live & make people happy.

Cheers.

Euro,if offence is intended,tough shit as I fully agree with you !

two of us shared a session - it was £120 each, I've spent more than that on 1 rim! And I reckon I've got a lot less value from the rim. I'd got to a point where I wasn't,t improving, now I know how to take my riding forward.

Nah Zippy, it was a smilie. It's cool that Tony (and the others) can help guys get more from riding. It's gotta be one of the best jobs in the world if you like riding bikes.

I still find it a bit odd that some folk wont go out and give things a go on their own though. Just go for a ride and experiment a bit. Throw the bike about, throw your weight about and generally mess around. You don't even need a trail. Do it in the street. Treat your bike as a toy and play. It's kinda fun and you'll get to know how a bike reacts to your input. You may not work out the correct way to do something (and there are some basic fundamentals) but you'll still learn something from doing things the not so correct way. And you never know when that'll come in handy on the trails ;D

Euro - you're 100% correct

Hooning around at any given opportunity improves your riding no end

However, I think a lot of people are scared that they might hurt themselves or look silly

I do both - well! 🙂

Euro, I did that and thought I was doing ok but never felt fully confident in the air - jumps were always hit and miss and I always thought I was on the edge of something going terribly wrong. Turns out I was right when I completely cocked up the big table at FOD and did something to my shoulder which has only just recently stopped giving me grief (think this crash was in 2010). I did a session with Tony that year and it made me see what I was doing wrong and as such I'm still getting faster and doing bigger jumps, haven't had a proper crash since that one at the FOD despite pushing myself harder.

For me I'd rather not waste my time practicing doing stuff the wrong way - it's why I took guitar lessons for a long time as well!

I would love to go messing about on the pavements and ride the little dirt track in the small park near me. Unfortunately, things like time, available light, living in an apartment block, having to change just to ride your bike for 20 minutes means it's not really an option for me (and probably most city dwellers).

Most of my riding is on a road bike. The closest I get to messing about is when I commute on the mountain bike. That's usually to get it to the mechanic because something needs attention so "hooning" about is not the uppermost thing on my mind.

The sort of thing you're talking about was what we did when we were kids on bikes. There's not much room in your life if you're working and have a family for that sort of thing. I do agree it would improve your bike handling skills though.

[quote=curiousyellow]There's not much room in your life if you're working and have a family for that sort of thing. I do agree it would improve your bike handling skills though.

This guy has exceptional bike handling skills - and all he has to play with is a basketball court.

Even if I'm just "popping down the road to the shops" I see how far I can wheelie/manual/stoppie/etc.

See that kerb? It's only 6 inches wide... how long can you ride on it?

If time/space is tight, you just have to be creative in how you use it.

When you finally get a chance to go out on the trails, the skills you learnt in the "urban" playground get used...

The best way I can explain my session with Tony and the way I ride before and after is like when I had my motorbike set up with on a dyno, it came out producing no more peak BHP but the power was delivered more smoothly across the rev range, my lap times dropped and I felt like i was riding more easily than I was before, so quicker & more confident with less effort.

I think that sums up me post Jedi'ing - faster, smoother, more confident with less effort, things just seem to flow..

The other difference for me is now if I mess up I know why rather than just wondering why which starts to build up the fear of trying again etc. If I know where I messed up I can confidently go back and try again rather than hope the same thing doesn't happen again 😀

@xiphon not really the point is it? That guy's someone who's spent most of his youth on his bike.

I get what you're saying about creative uses of time. If I were solely focussed on MTB then yeah, I would make time to hone my skills and whatnot. Fortunately or unfortunately I just like riding bikes, and secondarily, keeping fit. If I have 20-30 spare minutes then it's probably going to be spent going for a run or an interval session on the commute because I feel that serves my purposes best. The shops are a 2 minute walk from my place, and I don't think I can take the urine doing it like this guy:

Yeah, of course, if I'm commuting on the MTB then I will try and work in the little pump track the local BMX bandits have built in the park, but it's never going to be a substitute for a dedicated skills day at a purpose built venue. I don't think you're suggesting it is either.

[quote=curiousyellow]That guy's someone who's spent most of his youth on his bike.

Doesn't that describe most of STW? 😯

Perhaps these "essential basic skills courses" are for those who didn't?

Either way, the important thing is [u]you[/u] feel like the course made a difference.

I spent many a year as a youth trying to kill myself on a BMX and it certainly helps now...

However, a skills day will help a lot, as will regular group riding with people better than you and hooning around at any given opportunity, be that on the way to the shops or jumping over every little obstacle on the trail

Practice won't make you perfect, but it will give you much more confident and control and loose on the bike - which will make you flow better and crash less

I always enjoy riding my bike, but being faster, smoother and safer is generally more fun for me. I suppose I was gradually improving in those respects anyway (with the occasional conflict between faster and safer!)

Since visiting Tony for a couple of public skills sessions this year I'm more aware of what I'm doing right and wrong, and I've been improving more quickly while taking fewer risks. For me, that was well worth the cost, and I will probably go back for a one-to-one at some point too. Maybe it's not for everyone, but I enjoy my riding more since. The days themselves were good fun too, would definitely recommend one of the public days for anyone who's not sure about paying for a full one-to-one session.

Messing about, copying friends and experimenting is fine. I do that a lot, but I know my limits too these days as when I didn't I ended up in ICU with a bust back. That was when it was time to stop learning by guessing and getting it wrong and to get some pointers.

hora - Member
Why? I'm happy with my riding. I think people chase 'what can be' too much. You should ride to get out there/help you relax. Again, everyone gets that in different ways- I'm tired of 'can be better'.

Then why on earth do you fanny about buying/selling bikes/frames/forks then?! 😆