Birmingham Perry Barr - Mid life starter

[EDBANGER]

Ha theres even a video of my second ever run.  It got a little bit better than this honestly!!!

[EDBANGER]

Back down Perry Barr again today with my new track bike.  Picked up a spanky new GT Power series Pro for £230.  I was quite pleased with that.  I was told I couldn't ride the track with the axles I had and an appropriate set of wheels and tyres used was gonna cost me £90 so I thought feck it......I'll buy a whole bike.

Anyway.  Today I decided I wanted to try and tackle a jump so set my sites on the second straight.  Just after the first roller the plan was to lauch onto the table top.  Despite numerous efforts I didn't make it.  I got close with the front wheel making it there once but that was about it.  I have been literally the only guy on the track the two times I've been so far so it's not like I can turn to anyone for advice.  I spoke to the guy in charge of the park, who was doing maintainance elsewhere at the end and told him what I'd been up to.  He suggested I pump the roller, pump the bit I was trying to launch from and then jump over the table top.  Sounds reasonable and is my plan for next time.  Anyone got any good tips for jumping??

I'd like to think my pumping was getting better this time around. 

Two sessions - no injuries - I came close a few times today though.

[dinglem]

Impressed you've got the nuts to have a go mate 

Good for you.

I pass that track quite regularly as our Mini specialist is only down the road from there - always fancied nipping in and having a nose around.

[EDBANGER]

Cheers bud.  I spent a good while trying to find someone my own age or closer to join me.  It didn't happen so I've gone out on my own.  I started at Bishop Tachbrook Pump track for a couple of sessions and then onto the big one at Perry Barr.  You should definitely check it out.  I've never ridden a track or dirt jump or anything bigger than a curb in my life but I'm giving it a go.  Hoping to meet some people on the way that can help me improve.  I did the same with Powerlifting.  I trained on my own for a year and then turned up at a competition.  I met a load of people and i've taken part in few more competitions since.  Got better every time so I'm hoping I can tackle BMX in the same way.  I love hobbies    Now where's my golf clubs?

[bmxband1t77]

Yer just get out n do it dude. If you're landing hard expect your joints to ache a bit, wrists n knees can take a beating. But you won't notice till the adrenalin wears off.


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[Jon The Bassist]

The roller just before the table doesn't really have a lip on it so you'd have to be going pretty quick to get nicely on to the table from there. Pump the roller nicely, then compress and spring up as you let the bike follow the line of the front face of the table, should get you some airtime 

[EDBANGER]

Nice one John.  That is exactly my plan.  We'll see what happens next time I get down there.  Maybe even tomorrow??  I've decided that I might just look at doing an hour on one straight trying to get it better rather than ripping round the whole track.

I know what you mean about aching joints.  My right wrist was upset with me the other day after I bunny hopped up a curb.  It's been giving me jip since but not enough to put me off

[bmxband1t77]

Yer bunny hops can be harsh cos were bigger n heavier set.
I seem to remember lighter and springer landings helped. It all comes with practice and we all have the basics it's just getting our bodies to 'be at one with the machine' again.

When I also had a go at scootering with my kids, my bones ached like mad from the heavy landings, after a few weeks of breaking in and more experience it soon passed. Misjudge a tail whip tho and you're into a whole new world of pain!!!!

Honestly I don't ride mine enough but hope that'll change after Breaking Brum return to wheels.

Keep it up bro but be careful. We don't bounce too well these days do we... ;-)


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[EDBANGER]

I'm going with that bit of advice "you'll get used to it" and cracking on. 

Epic day today.  Went to the pump track at Bishop Tachbrook and met two other lads there that were close to my age.  Just di an hour riding with them and cleared my first jump!!  Totally buzzing still.  Obviously it's nowhere near the size of the jumps at Perry Barr but it's definitely a start.  Will be riding with those lads again which is good as it was much better riding with someone else.

[bmxband1t77]

How's it going? NOT landed yerself in hospital I hope?

Riding UK weather out is hard when winter hits eh? Love to be in Cali with the sun and the beach babes 😃


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[EDBANGER]

No injuries yet other than a little pedal rash on the shins    I've not been riding as much as I'd like but it's tough trying to find time amongst the million other things I do.  I was supposed to ride Redditch tonight but I also compete in Powerlifting.  My squat training today has totally destroyed me and I can't face getting on a bike.  I also don't do rain!! 

I managed my first manual over a small double yesterday after an hour of trying.  I was chuffed beyond belief!!  Jumping is still a mystery to me.  I can manage the small jump at the pump track with not a lot of height but I watch the guys at Birmingham and they fly without even trying.  I just don't get it.

Thinking of having a one to one lesson down there soon to just put me right on pretty much everything.

[bmxband1t77]

Cool. Good on ya keeping going.


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[EDBANGER]

Still at it.....

I went and had some tuition from Mark Sleigh today.  Top bloke and well worth the money.

Just tweaked a few things with body position and timing and really improved my speed.  I'd been trying to get a full lap of the track done without pedalling and previously only made it to the end of the second straight.  This time I made it through to the fourth straight all be it only once.  H also had me keeping the inside foot down round the corners.  This felt a little odd and did take some concentration if I'm honest.  Something I'll need to keep working at to make it feel natural.  Also did a brief introduction to jumping the first step up and my very first gate start. 

I feel like I've got some direction to go with my practicing now so hopefully I'll be seeing some improvement.  I've put a bottle of Duvel Triple Hop in the fridge and I'll be celebrating when I manage the first full pump lap.  I hope that's soon.

[bmxband1t77]

Respek due. 😉


Jonboy
Stay RAD Forever
BMX Pimpin' since '81

[chownie]

Just been reading this thread and it was a good read.  One thing I regret a little was not racing when I was younger.  I took up bodybuilding and became successful in that but I've always had this itch to race and at 42 I still want to do it!  Fingers crossed I'll be brave enough to work towards getting started as I need something competitive!

[Mikku]

That was a good read! Any updates??

[factory pilot]

Love this thread ... we say it every year but I definitely want to meet up you guys and have a whizz round the local tracks in the new year 

[Mikku]

Tell me about it! I've recently discovered that there's a track not too far from me, so am going to go for a butcher's and see what's what!!