Riding as a team

[manual63]

Riding with a team of 3 or 4 riders can really improve your riding. You see, between Chris, Andy (friend of Chris') and me, we have three different strengths. Chris pretty much climbs well and corners well, Andy is fastest on the flats and climbs, but in not technical at all, and I am the nutty BMXer who can roll dips, hop logs, corner well and love the technical stuff.

I have been telling Chris many technical riding tips over the last couple of years and his riding has improved a lot. Chris and Andy help me with climbing and conditioning and Andy just needs a newer bike with better handling to work on the real technical stuff, but he is greatly improving his technical riding. When we rode the Maa Daa Hey together, we pushed each other and gave eachother tips and it benefitted all of us. All three of us are much better and more rounded riders because of it.

Riding in a group of open minded guys who are willing to accept their weaknesses and strengths helps a lot. Then just being pushed to the limit helps in conditioning you.

Try it!

[grizzly adam]

I think that riding with someone faster helps make you faster. I know that from our team rides there have been some riders that have improved in climbing and technical skills, just by riding like you mentioned, with other people of different skill levels.
Also, don't be afraid to ask questions! If you see someone go over a log pile without slowing down much, ask 'em how the heck they did that!

Good points manual63

Grizz

[gopherhockey]

Yup, riding as a team or as a small group has done more to improve my biking than any amount of individual practice or training... to see someone take a cool new line over something, find a new way over a rock or log, or just keeping pace with someone else... (especially if you can hook up with someone faster) - these are all great ways to have more fun biking and improve.

We'll hopefully be starting some group rides in the near future once the IMBA hot spots are done... look for em'!