Thought this was an interesting addition to normal health tips for riding. Reflexes are important.
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Some good reminders for a newer rider like me. Wonāt be gaming, but rest are on the list of daily habits for the most part. Just need to add pickleball as well as more group mtb rides!
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I called in sick to work and started gaming immediately. For reflexes of course.
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This is good content. I often notice in the spring when I get back on my MTB that itās not just fitness Iāve lost over the winter, but also the ability to go fast downhill. Iāve been going to Moab or Fruita every April for many years with a group of guys, and itās often the first real MTB riding weāve done since fall. I really feel the reaction time issue!
He mentions that simply riding more wonāt do it, and Iām not sure I agree with that. Riding the moto or MTB always helps me.
I do like the racket or paddle sports idea, the MTB idea, and the sleep thing for sure. But no beer on a moto trip is just crazy talk.
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Iād only agree on his āriding more wonāt do itā if heās generally speaking on reflexes. As I think you need to do various things to improve that. So I agree on his video game comment and even another sport with hand-eye reliance.
I disagree.
He ignores one of the fundamental principles of developing any skill or getting good at any physical activity: Specificity
The most time efficient way to get good at a Thing is to do That Thing.
In addition, reflexive action is only valuable if the right reflexes are applied at the correct time. Think reflexively stomping on the rear brake in a panic stop on the road vs reflexively applying progressive braking to load up the suspension, gaining traction on the front wheel.
Both are reflexes but only one is correct and a skill that becomes a reflex via deliberate practice of that skill.
With regards to dirt riding:
Step 1: Learn fundamental skills ā balance, manipulating the mass of your body to achieve a desired result to the mass of the bike, braking, etc.
Step 2: Apply those skills on the trail, so you can connect the skill you learned in a closed environment to the terrain that you see in front of you.
Over time, skill becomes reflexā¦the correct reflex applied at the correct time and situation
Step 3: Progressive Overload ā ride progressively more challenging terrain, further ingraining these skills / reflexes. Over time, 80% of the trail simply disappears. You learn to just tune it out.
This is the most time efficient way to become a better rider. Sorry, no amount of pickleball is going to develop the reflexes to get you up and down Kingston Peak on a motorcycle.
I would put non-moto-specific activities into the Fitness bucket. In that bucket:
- Strength
- Endurance
- Power
- VO2Max
- Mobility, coordination, etc
This bucket reduces fatigue when riding. As you become more fatigued, your ability to apply fine motor skills decreases. Small motor skills are also negatively impacted by adrenaline, which is why progressive exposure to more and more difficult riding situations is valuable: you become less and less terrified, more calm = preserve fine motor function.
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Agree with you - Iād call the precursors to reflexes āsituational awarenessā - and you get better at that by doing The Thing. Reading the trail, reading lines, knowing what might happen if you get bounced off that line. Then, reflexes are icing on top of that foundation.
Itās easy to see this is at play with F1 and MotoGP dudes; the reaction time training they do with tennis balls, digital simulations, paddle games, etc. are the polish/honing being put on top of a mountain of strength, endurance, fitness, etc.
Also, Iād like to point out that no human has ever uttered this sentence. Itās a new sentence:
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Love this. Similarly, in ski coaching parlance weād often break down development/improvement as:
Cognitive Stage (Understanding):
The beginner focuses on understanding what to do, relying on instructions, demonstrations, and conscious thought to process new movements.
Associative Stage (Refining):
The learner practices the skill, using feedback from their body and environment to correct errors and improve consistency.
Autonomous Stage (Mastery):
The movement becomes automatic and effortless, allowing the performer to focus on strategy or other tasks rather than the mechanics of the movement.
Lastly is the common refrain, ājust shut up and skiā.
@ChrisMunro Here here to group MTB rides
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+1
In.
Iād be interested in an MTB skills class also
For sure - we can get back to Virginia Canyon and some Boulder area rides when temps get a big nicer. It will be nice to have the roles reversed a bit and be able to help out on the skills side rather than being the last moto guy all the time
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