Caveman MTB Tech Tips: “Pumping technique”
Created on 14 January 2014
Cody Kaiser “pumps” up the stairs- gaining speed- (where everyone else ran) at U23 USA Cyclo Cross Champs.
“Pumping” is a technique used in cycling, skiing, skateboarding etc to gain speed- by shifting your bodyweight according to the terrain to build momentum.
At the ripe old age of 37 I signed up for intesive skills lessons (7 hrs worth) with skills guru Lee McCormack in Boulder Colorado. The pump track was the most fun part of training. Not to mention challenging- learning the correct timing and “feel”, staying off the brakes in the corners (you’re supposed to “pump” into corners to build speed- never mind braking!) and of course its physically exhausting! After 90 seconds on the pump track my heart rate is 150+ and all my muscles screaming…
While it looks like a game for kids, fast racers use this technique to gain speed on the race track.
Burry Stander was a master at reading the XC course and pumping the terrain, Andrew Neetling is especially good at building “Free Speed” on the Down Hill track, and above Cody Kaiser became an instant sensation in CX. (Cyclo Cross)
Cant wait for the pump track rage to hit South Africa!
Read this interesting article on an Intro to the world of pump tracks.
Here is my 2nd day on the Valmont Park pump track:
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