That's looks awesome!! Whenever I watch your videos from snow summit it reminds me how much the sport has changed. I was xc racing up there at age 15 now they don't even have a national there. That's the event that made Shaun Palmer, Brian Lopes ,Tomac.
Now that you're whipping with the best of them, can you do a video that summarizes your jump journey? I'm 46 and been going to Snow Summit the last 4 seasons or so...I feel like I'm maybe 20% better at jumps now than my first time, which isn't saying much! I still case everything on Westridge...what's the secret to getting over the mental hurdle?? Just tell yourself everyone dies someday, and today is as good a day as any? 😅
Thanks for the kind words. I'm definitely still just OK at whips. But I am working on a progression and how-to video regarding jumping and whipping. I actually scheduled a coaching session to dial in my whips. As far as getting over the mental hurdle, it was more like patiently hiking up a hill for me. That being said, the main thing that helped me was learning how to avoid getting bucked, and that gave me a ton of confidence on jumps. The way I did that is in this vid: th-cam.com/video/_frRzPRnOPY/w-d-xo.html
no brakes. seriously, it's that simple. these jumps were built to give the perfect lift, so long as you stay upright over your BB and keep off the brakes, they're a lot easier than you have imagined them to be. "torso+2 tires" will save you.
Northstar, my 'local' (by which I mean three hours away) park finally opens this weekend. Really hoping my trail bike (which I've spent a year dialing in) can handle it so I don't have to shell out for rental bikes.
@@mtb_alan Yeah, I went there about half a dozen times last season. Took this trail bike (2023 Norco Optic) there the first two times. First time was fine, I was being very conservative. The second time, I went into some small BMX style jumps with too much speed and my feet came off the pedals. I smashed down really hard on the saddle, got hit really hard in the left calf and right shin by the pedal, broke the derailleur and several spokes, but landed on my feet and didn't actually crash. After that, I rented DH bikes and had a blast every time. But now, I've forked it up to 150 in the front, put a Cascade link on the rear for more progression and an extra 5mm travel (to 130), and right now I'm having a new 155 crankset put on. I'm also going to be going Assegai front/DHR rear. And, on top of all that, my skills have improved massively. I haven't quite bucked up the courage to do real gaps, but on my local 0.1 mile long flow trail (that I've now done about 700 laps on) I am consistently able to jump about four meters. So I'm looking forward to it!
@@mtb_alan Just got back from my weekend. Shockingly, I absolutely smashed that park on my short-travel bike, primarily the ultra fun blue trails, but also including two double blacks (mostly). I attribute this mostly to improved skills, the tire setup, and the Cascade link. I did crash three times in total (more on that in a moment) but I'm pretty sure I'm going back this weekend. The first two crashes, on the Optic, were minor. Just cosmetic damage to the handlebar (fortunately I've been wanting to try out a leftover carbon bar on this bike anyway) and a tiny scratch on my face. The first one, I failed to roll over something on a double black I'd done before but took a different line, and wrenched the handlebar. Then, after I recovered, I decided to try riding the last like 50 feet of trail to the fire road with slightly wonky bars, which resulted in me smacking my brand new un-booted (the ones I bought didn't fit) Hope red crank arm on a rock. Later the same day, I took a corner on a backwoods trail that looked like a berm but was in fact just a pile of dust, and I wrenched the handlebar again, because when I had straightened them, I had forgotten to torque them all the way down. By the time I got back to the lift, it was closing time. The next day (Sunday), I took my e-bike (Trek Rail) out, and it really didn't perform nearly as well despite having longer travel (160/150). Probably the reason I was having less fun was because I was tired and sore having ridden the previous two days at the park, it was running an inferior tire setup (DHR front/Dissector rear), and I might have had the suspension aired up too much. But it was going fine until I hit some small jumps on a trail I'd ridden last year. I just completely flubbed one of them and landed with my wheel pointed to the right. So I ate a mouthful of dirt and got a bunch of scratches on my lips, face, chest, arms, and knees (not wearing my full face OR my chest/back protector, lamely; plus my super comfy knee pads were destroyed and are now out of stock!), minor sprains to my ankles and wrists, and a whole lot of blood on my Sea Otter jersey. The upside to Northstar being so loose and dusty is that the ground is nice and soft when you decide to go down a trail face-first. For a minute, I thought it might have been bad, but everything proved to be superficial. Even my glasses were undamaged! I'm recovering really quickly and going to the doctor tomorrow just in case. This is why I take calcium supplements. Ain't nobody got time for broken bones. I will definitely be wearing my full face from now on at the park. No promises regarding the chest and back. Probably going to have to break a rib before I willingly wear that hot thing all day again.
Thanks! Heck yeah. If you come in the summer, you can hit both Snow Summit and Skypark at Santa's Village. Two very different parks, and both good times in the mountains.
Christ you shredded that run. Amazing skill and knowledge of the trail. You were railing every berm and clearing everything with style. What a sizzle reel!
This is my favorite line there. I wish was closer to where I live. I will be there next week again. I almost cleared all these jumps! 2 or 3 more to go ;)
@@mtb_alan The big one before the step up and a couple close to the end. I have to ride more. I went there once last year and Tuesday was my second time.
Do you know if you will be at snow summit on the 4th of July? ( I have a trip planned)Just curious because last year I missed you by a day and a lot of people talked about you being there.
Thanks. I think it's like a 1100 or 1200 foot elevation loss. Oh...you said "altitude". I would have to measure how high I get on each jump to tell you that. 😆
The Santa Cruz is long gone. I've been riding Giants since summer of 2022. And Giant has been my official bike sponsor since about the beginning of 2023.
That's looks awesome!! Whenever I watch your videos from snow summit it reminds me how much the sport has changed. I was xc racing up there at age 15 now they don't even have a national there. That's the event that made Shaun Palmer, Brian Lopes ,Tomac.
I think there were people up there on dual crowns too...just not legally. 😆
Now that you're whipping with the best of them, can you do a video that summarizes your jump journey? I'm 46 and been going to Snow Summit the last 4 seasons or so...I feel like I'm maybe 20% better at jumps now than my first time, which isn't saying much! I still case everything on Westridge...what's the secret to getting over the mental hurdle?? Just tell yourself everyone dies someday, and today is as good a day as any? 😅
Thanks for the kind words. I'm definitely still just OK at whips. But I am working on a progression and how-to video regarding jumping and whipping. I actually scheduled a coaching session to dial in my whips.
As far as getting over the mental hurdle, it was more like patiently hiking up a hill for me. That being said, the main thing that helped me was learning how to avoid getting bucked, and that gave me a ton of confidence on jumps.
The way I did that is in this vid: th-cam.com/video/_frRzPRnOPY/w-d-xo.html
Follow someone who is making them and just use their speed. I love your comment BTW.
Yeah just tow behind someone who can make them. You’ll go for it off adrenaline alone. Towing/following is the answer.
no brakes. seriously, it's that simple. these jumps were built to give the perfect lift, so long as you stay upright over your BB and keep off the brakes, they're a lot easier than you have imagined them to be. "torso+2 tires" will save you.
@@mikestivers8302 Well, there are definitely a couple jumps on that line that require some speed management.
Alan - you’re a beast on those jumps! This vid got me hyped! Solid riding!
Thanks! Glad to hear you got hyped!
I was too shy to say hi, but your bike looked sick. Great time there this Weekend!
Yo! Thanks. I'm just a goofball. Say hi next time. :)
all you have to say is ALAN! ALAN! ALAN! ALAN! ALAN! then you can both laugh and laugh and laugh
Ripping 🤘🏽
🤘🏾
🙌🏽🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🫡 Sick!!!
✌🏾
Northstar, my 'local' (by which I mean three hours away) park finally opens this weekend. Really hoping my trail bike (which I've spent a year dialing in) can handle it so I don't have to shell out for rental bikes.
Sweet! I haven't been to Northstar, but the footy I've seen says you'll need to take your bike to the shop for some love afterwards. 😆
@@mtb_alan Yeah, I went there about half a dozen times last season. Took this trail bike (2023 Norco Optic) there the first two times. First time was fine, I was being very conservative. The second time, I went into some small BMX style jumps with too much speed and my feet came off the pedals. I smashed down really hard on the saddle, got hit really hard in the left calf and right shin by the pedal, broke the derailleur and several spokes, but landed on my feet and didn't actually crash. After that, I rented DH bikes and had a blast every time.
But now, I've forked it up to 150 in the front, put a Cascade link on the rear for more progression and an extra 5mm travel (to 130), and right now I'm having a new 155 crankset put on. I'm also going to be going Assegai front/DHR rear.
And, on top of all that, my skills have improved massively. I haven't quite bucked up the courage to do real gaps, but on my local 0.1 mile long flow trail (that I've now done about 700 laps on) I am consistently able to jump about four meters. So I'm looking forward to it!
What an adventure.
And yeah...improved skills can make up for a "lack" of travel.
@@mtb_alan Just got back from my weekend. Shockingly, I absolutely smashed that park on my short-travel bike, primarily the ultra fun blue trails, but also including two double blacks (mostly). I attribute this mostly to improved skills, the tire setup, and the Cascade link. I did crash three times in total (more on that in a moment) but I'm pretty sure I'm going back this weekend.
The first two crashes, on the Optic, were minor. Just cosmetic damage to the handlebar (fortunately I've been wanting to try out a leftover carbon bar on this bike anyway) and a tiny scratch on my face. The first one, I failed to roll over something on a double black I'd done before but took a different line, and wrenched the handlebar. Then, after I recovered, I decided to try riding the last like 50 feet of trail to the fire road with slightly wonky bars, which resulted in me smacking my brand new un-booted (the ones I bought didn't fit) Hope red crank arm on a rock. Later the same day, I took a corner on a backwoods trail that looked like a berm but was in fact just a pile of dust, and I wrenched the handlebar again, because when I had straightened them, I had forgotten to torque them all the way down. By the time I got back to the lift, it was closing time.
The next day (Sunday), I took my e-bike (Trek Rail) out, and it really didn't perform nearly as well despite having longer travel (160/150). Probably the reason I was having less fun was because I was tired and sore having ridden the previous two days at the park, it was running an inferior tire setup (DHR front/Dissector rear), and I might have had the suspension aired up too much. But it was going fine until I hit some small jumps on a trail I'd ridden last year. I just completely flubbed one of them and landed with my wheel pointed to the right. So I ate a mouthful of dirt and got a bunch of scratches on my lips, face, chest, arms, and knees (not wearing my full face OR my chest/back protector, lamely; plus my super comfy knee pads were destroyed and are now out of stock!), minor sprains to my ankles and wrists, and a whole lot of blood on my Sea Otter jersey. The upside to Northstar being so loose and dusty is that the ground is nice and soft when you decide to go down a trail face-first. For a minute, I thought it might have been bad, but everything proved to be superficial. Even my glasses were undamaged! I'm recovering really quickly and going to the doctor tomorrow just in case. This is why I take calcium supplements. Ain't nobody got time for broken bones.
I will definitely be wearing my full face from now on at the park. No promises regarding the chest and back. Probably going to have to break a rib before I willingly wear that hot thing all day again.
Nice riding 🔥
✌🏾
awesome track and excellent riding ! hope to ride there some day....Cheers from Belgium
Thanks! Heck yeah.
If you come in the summer, you can hit both Snow Summit and Skypark at Santa's Village. Two very different parks, and both good times in the mountains.
Nice run!
🤘🏾
I’m the guy you gave the sticker to
Yo! 👊🏾
Hey, I think we saw you on Sunday, just before we dropped into party wave.
👋🏾😃
Christ you shredded that run. Amazing skill and knowledge of the trail. You were railing every berm and clearing everything with style. What a sizzle reel!
Thanks!
This is my favorite line there. I wish was closer to where I live. I will be there next week again. I almost cleared all these jumps! 2 or 3 more to go ;)
Such a fun line! Yeah...it takes a little while to dial all the jumps. Which ones are you struggling with?
@@mtb_alan The big one before the step up and a couple close to the end. I have to ride more. I went there once last year and Tuesday was my second time.
🤘🏾
@@mtb_alan It was me who said hi today at the Summit! white YT tues on the top of the lift! Nice to see you!
@grillob3 yo! 👊🏾😃
Are you touching your brakes anywhere during this run? You are FLYING
😂
Do you know if you will be at snow summit on the 4th of July? ( I have a trip planned)Just curious because last year I missed you by a day and a lot of people talked about you being there.
Yo! I usually try to make it up for the 4th. Haven’t locked it in yet though.
@@mtb_alanall good👍
Nice riding!
Such a long descent, how much altitude did you shed going down that?
Thanks. I think it's like a 1100 or 1200 foot elevation loss.
Oh...you said "altitude". I would have to measure how high I get on each jump to tell you that. 😆
@@mtb_alan LOL
I wanna get up to summit so bad 😭😭 but lookin forward to mammoth in a few weeks
Yew!
Damn 😳! You guys are on “race run” pace…NIIICE 👍🏻
Naw...we were chillin'. Thanks though.
@@mtb_alan Gotta head up to Northstar when you have time this summer, awesome trails for all levels…you’ll love the double black diamond trails 👍🏻
🤘🏾
Why did the dual crown guy get left in the dust❓🤣
Not the bike. The rider.
Scorching laps! Is that a downhill bike you're on?
Thanks! Yup. It's the new Glory!
@@mtb_alan Sweet!
So fast you guys slayed it
🤘🏾
How's the new bike treatin ya?
I'm diggin' it.
I can tell it's gonna frickin' rip. Right now, I'm still getting the fork dialed.
Hey Alan are you sponsored of giant frame? Where is your santa cruz bike?
The Santa Cruz is long gone. I've been riding Giants since summer of 2022. And Giant has been my official bike sponsor since about the beginning of 2023.
ofc u had to go the day i didint want to go😅😂
😆
So much dust…is that a new bike? Sick jumps though
The dust is par for the course. Yeah! It's my new Giant Glory. 🤘🏾
idk how people hit these on flats, i gotta hit them all on clips
Technique. 🤘🏾
Seems like they haven’t changed much this year
Hopefully later in the year we will get some updates. Snow Valley is getting more love at the moment.
50 and in your prime.
🤘🏾
Must not be human....
I definitely enjoyed this Video,.....only sound of hubs and jump landing....bare minimum talking...inspiring to go out and ride. 😍🫶☺️🚵❤️
🤘🏾