Ben Cathro Tries To Put An End To Dead Sailors | How NOT To Bike

[@timquain5341]

demonstrating a dead sailor when you know how to jump requires a new level of bravery (or stupidity). We salute you, for your service.

[@dave5473]

I feel like this is one of those situations where you can explain all you want and get very scientific but, it's more of a "feel" in the air that has to be experienced. If you hit a jump too nose heavy or too far back, and can't figure out what you did wrong, you should stay closer to earth.

[@AnonYMous99993]

Ben Cathro's vids basically carries pink bike on his shoulders at this point

[@brandonharrsch8318]

He's literally the only thing keeping pb relevant at this point

[@beno9966]

Could be GMBN with another video on how to lube your chain or put air in your fork.

[@trevorerickson1409]

Needs to start his own channel

[@justsayin3600]

Give Ben his own segment. Something seperate. Let him run loose! Give him more money! He's KZbin special. I've run into people on the trail in Texas that talk about Ben. He could be huge on his own. He's the best thing Pink Bike has as a standalone.

[@justsayin3600]

​@@trevorerickson1409just for confirmation. You did not click on your own comment. It was me. You are right own spot!

[@NoddyTron]

It’s called a Dead Sailor because in World War 2 sailors who were dead in the water would often float upright with their arms out in front of them, looking as if they were alive and treading water. A dead sailor on a bike used to just be when someone went stiff in the air; upright with stiff arms. Nowadays people have started using dead sailor to describe a buck.

[@Twentykixx]

Actually a buck will in fact cause the “Dead Sailor”, which is the actual ride out of the progression of the kinetic energy that the rider is now committed. While in a panic and simply riding the forward pitch is in fact the proposition of the said Dead Sailor, not the buck which was explained as inverse compression of the imbalance of the center mass uncontrolled after the initial take-off. 😂

[@SavageAudits]

Rear-sus, in summation.

[@Twentykixx]

@@SavageAudits no, it’s not just the rear-sus dude, it’s the position of the center mass in conjunction with the riders orientation and/or direction of motion after the parabola has begun. You either control the lift and motion or it controls you as a dead sailor in essence… either stipulated from the front or rear at the takeoff… call your mom, she’s worried you’re lost. I concerned for ya.

[@SavageAudits]

@@Twentykixx Yeah, I’ve only been riding and racing BMX and MTB while living in California’s Santa Cruz mountains for decades, literally just broke a pedal axle on a big drop, I’m sweating, still, after using my bike like a scooter to get home, and here you are, the Sagacious Expert, muttering gibberish.

[@Twentykixx]

@@SavageAuditsyeah yeah… 😂

[@doooderino]

This video is absolute gold! Not only is it informative but is hilarious! When he drew the “bomb” headed towards the nice, soft, delightfully fluffy, bush I lost it! Well done, Ben, well done.

[@dropclutch1]

Yeah, my son came running out of his room to find out what I was laughing at 😂

[@sophisticatedphilistine]

I am currently learning to intentionally yaw. It feels like my yaws are massive, but my friends say I barely yaw.... But you know, there is no limit to perfecting one's yaws.

[@growlith6969]

It's all about moving the bike one way and bringing it back to the right attitude to land. No movement and you are just hoping to land well. With movement you are in control. I've done all I can do riding park and progressing, I'm building a ramp into a nearby pond and sticking a pool noodle on a bike and sending it. Full blown scrubs, knacks and whips with a lot less ouchy than mulch and foam jumps.

[@BockaufBiken]

The very best instructor and line analyst out there! Cathro is a legend!

[@justsayin3600]

I mean, there's CATHRO VISION!!! It's the best commentary I've ever seen. Ben is a natural in front of a camera

[@TeddyParker]

HE'S YAWED THE WHOLE WAY!!

[@yungjaypee]

that part sent me laughing so hard

[@bassjunkie67]

Cathro your content never fails , just amazing, I recon you need a pay rise fella .

[@darnokregrer3575]

The drawings are absolutely hilarious 😂 Great video as always, lads!

[@ninovagus1297]

The "Intentional Yaww-offs" got me bad. Almost choked on my breakfast laughing.

[@KP-ol3tc]

Those 6.11 shoes are 🔥🔥🔥

[@whitebear96]

target aquizired :D man this series exceeds all expectations, Ben and team is on a roll :D

[@Pshady]

1. blame the jump 2. Blame the bike

[@fransnyman9059]

3. Say that you are hungry

[@AlexanderOrion]

4. Blame the shoes

[@PerceptionFPV]

5. blame the weather

[@kobemaui9983]

6. Blame gravity

[@schlinkodonkofink]

A. Blame Game

[@-tr0n]

Through whatever changes happen at PB, please keep Ben around doing his thing! He's a true expert, a great coach, and we like his face.

[@andyk3643]

"He yawed the whole way!" 😂😂😂😂

[@siversteinshamn6777]

That one killed me 🤣

[@andyk3643]

@@siversteinshamn6777 same. Idk why, but it had me rolling.

[@RyanKinal]

Sometimes I think "How NOT to Bike" is just Pinkbike's way of getting us to watch fail videos. Despite it being *painful* to watch, it was certainly helpful.

[@frankharradence732]

Amusing and bike educational, the Holy grail of bike videos; I have no intention of trying big jumps but the theory of bike forces, rider input, together with a bit of good old Isac Newton was just perfect for me and my modest trail riding ambitions ...big thanks for posting.

[@tommyking207]

Thanks for these vids ben, they really do help! And please know, you are much loved in the King household. Keep being you. 😊❤

[@MTBChuckQC]

I think this is the best explanation of how to jump that I have seen so far! And It hit really well on me, because I was practicing dirt jumps earlier this evening and was talking (and wondering) exactly about this!!! Thank you Ben!

[@michaeltorres6109]

This is me few days ago. LOL. The sketching while on the air makes me laugh so hard. Nice video and I've learned a lot on this. Will watch it again for me to get the proper position on jumps. Got 2 Dead Sailor this year by November 4 and December 7 haha. Always learning the hard way. Keep safe everyone

[@growlith6969]

Finally. Been saying this for a long time. Jumping videos are ALL crap. You have to address that people who "can" jump move the bike proactively when they take off as a place marker so that they can control where to bring the bike back to when they land. People who "can't" jump watch videos and hope for the best.

[@LenardLiedloff-tx7ys]

You saving my life with this Video 🚀 loving the content, more plz 🙏

[@PNWmtnBKR]

The overlays are so damn funny. Never wait to watch a new Cathro video.

[@philsmeanderings7991]

You mentioned , " I hope he tried the smaller jumps to get a feel for it". This is an excellent point and something I see here in Queensland Australia at the skills areas . So far the ramps are steep and not condusive to a steady learning process , ie a small fracture rather than stepping up to a major break straight away :). As you may influence the thought process behind the setting up of these places in Scotty land , I thought it worth mentioning.

[@letsgoletsgoletsgoletsgoletsgo]

Back when i was a little boy, in the 80s , there's a lot of cartoons of sailors going down a sinking ship, and the captain of the ship supposedly never abandon ship, so you see him desperately keeping upright holding on to the helm . That's why the term dead sailor makes sense to me

[@andrewferguson9823]

Cathro for all. The only MTB videos I now watch. Funny and edumicational!

[@si0054]

The first scream: I love the noises from bike parks. Equal measure of excitement and fear

[@8BallAde]

Even if you had no interest in MTB, you would still find anything with Ben in entertaining. You should be on national TV dude. Also, you know your stuff when it comes to MTB. Love it.

[@ichigo4700]

Ben Cathro you sir are a gem! The video kept me interested. Very entertaining.

[@OutdoorDad-nv5mg]

"graceful potato" killed me 😆

[@Liam-kj5te]

Wow this breakdown really shows how important the manual is. great vid.

[@dougpurdy2720]

Man, Laughed the whole time. You're instructional and hilarious! Physics with a little Sarcasm! The accent seals it.

[@SpiritSpokes]

9:12 the best of the best in uncovering bike physics. All hail Ben🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@AlexanderOrion]

Funny that today I had a dead sailor moment, but without dying, and I realised the flaws in the technique and the desync moment between pushing and pulling, the video points eveything perfectly. Thank you!

[@nvogz]

You mean Thank Yaw 😂

[@EverydayMTB09]

“Mortality of the seaman”… happens to be the name of my new band

[@AndyLogan1984]

Good commitment by Ben to get that bad technique thumbnail. Love it

[@oleh-n7]

man, this is brilliant. Dunno how you stay on that level of vid quality for so long. Taking off my sailor's hat

[@jonk6834]

I fully was not expecting to crease up laughing at this. Ben and his sketches are bloody brilliant 😂😂😂😂😂

[@richardkovanda7578]

Ben is class, keep up good work mate!

[@ptptpt5079]

Hilarious! You can explain everything so easily. Thank you, Ben

[@carlmederozemtb]

Thanks Ben your videos are the best and I am already looking forward to the next one

[@Hendricksb123]

Thank you for making this!!!! 🍻

[@snasuage]

I snuck in to watch this in the playlist 😎

[@BikingVikingMTB]

Being a heavier rider it happens to me all the time I buck all the time So frustrating!! Assuming my weight is far too forward? Love the way you explained everything and very funny too cheers man 🙌

[@AndyCore]

More video breakdowns!! Super helpful!

[@littleredhelicopter5284]

I watched this video standing up, saluting to all these brave sailors. All the pain and broken bones will not be forgotten and forever whistle in the woods. ARR, ARR 🏴‍☠

[@casestudymtb]

Where's that washing out episode at? I'm in dire need of it.

[@Jpwillia1]

Put more weight on the tire washing out. I started really weighing my front tire through the WHOLE turn, it’s helped a ton. I corner faster with less wash outs. Kinda like skiing, you gotta get forward aggressively to properly initiate and complete a good, fast turn

[@AndiceRupen]

Nice theory about bike jumping. Not an easy task to explain. Good job and funny video, thanks!

[@advocatusdiaboli9909]

This man is a legend!!

[@tomall23]

I've been waiting for this one

[@pernyberg2816]

I just totally heard that "Intentional jaw" speaker in the voice of the guy who has ants in his eyes in Rick & Morty 😂

[@skylar1816]

Thank you for this. I yawed yesterday 5 minutes into riding my first mountain bike after watching too many Red Bull videos. All I remember is leaning left in the air and smacking my head. I must have nose dove as well. At 37 and no health insurance I can’t afford to yaw again so might stay connected to the earth for awhile lol. I think I get a new Trek helmet under their warranty so I’ve got that going for me, which is nice😂.

[@bebble985]

I believe “dead sailor” refers to a person who freezes mid air and looks like a puppet on the bike.

[@steezevacca]

ben main show of the channel

[@danielhamann5552]

So damn funny ... yet so serious and imporrtant. Love your drawings! Thank you!

[@WilkoLV]

I always used to land on the rear and pedal to keep the front up/wheelie until I could control it down by using the rear brake on a MTB. On my BMX I never had this problem and did perfect jumps 🤷🤦‍♂️ But would roll wheelies over pump track bumps, because less risky then trying to jump one and bashing in to the next steep bump. Couldn't go on that pump track so fast because the top lips were too steep and couldn't go down with the rear quick enough if you tried to pump it 🤷, so was just quicker to lean back keeping the rear wheel on the ground and wheelie between the bumps 🤷

[@ticklefritz5406]

Super fun video!

[@devononair]

My technique used to be* to lift my bike up underneath me, and then drop it just before landing so I can compress my legs on impact. I have no idea why it worked, but it did. I imagine it kept the centre of gravity closer to my upper body or something... *I no longer leave the safety of the ground!

[@SamWhitlock]

15:31 omfg I'm dying laughing over here at this fabulous John Maddening of these dead sailors!!

[@nvogz]

I want to know how many takes were needed to say ‘Seamen’

[@jamesbird7290]

thx for informative video, but could you please adjust your mic sound a bit up to match the music and other sounds of the video

[@SarahBaethge]

Love the captions 😅

[@medyaker2]

one ben's best so far! "His faith failed him" "6.11" "and more...

[@subpar_singletrack]

Ben is literally the only reason I stay subscribed to Pinkbike

[@bretb8799]

Physicist? Historian? Linquist? Comedian? Mountain Biker? Which one? Love your videos very entertaining and informative too.

[@888BRAK]

Ben. Like you are we have kids. Please ack your editor not to cut corners and equalize the sound volume of all audio tracks BEFORE posting the video. In 2024 that is unacceptable. Your videos are great. Keep coaching. Tnx Man.

[@johnsonjae]

I always thought it was "dead sailer". As in, you are sailing through the air dead in your reflexes, with no control over where the bike ends up. Never thought of it as a Sailor before.

[@davidtomasetti8520]

The dead sailor is the name of a dive that is done head first with your arms behind you. Kind of resembling when they used to dump dead bodies off of ships

[@guillaumemilette3869]

Love the infographics haha

[@OscarHalsey]

is the technique the same for hardtail?

[@ChrisFroyd]

These Ben vids are great! Can y'all fix the audio levels for the next ones? The speaking parts are so low while the music and intro/outro bumpers are too loud. I have to keep adjusting my volume.

[@russellturpin1259]

Sweet Video!

[@zedeeyen30]

"His God left him" should be a common phrase.

[@Rafalce]

Back in the days when bikes were shorter it was easier to fly as more depended on a rider. After 8 years off dh I came back on a superenduro Mondraker which was about 13 cm longer. It rode well at speeds yet had this awfull tendency of setting me in the air nosediving at bigger features.Unfortunately- I crashed quite severely couple of times including 15 m flight where first at the ground was front wheel and then my face. Ended up with deeper scrathes, all bones and huge, bloody swelling at my bottom abdomen which took most of the impact force that was healing for 2 months or so. Then was 1 or 2 less severe ones yet this really PISSED ME OFF as i NEVER had problems with any jump stuff whatsoever whether those were small, steep high speed obstacles or 15 m senders. BUT, sorted that problem out eventually. Culprit? Too low set LOW speed compression damping. Also, by default on Fox Performance dampers which feature only low speed adjustments (which sucks balls to be honest, cannot fine tune it really any way, its always a big compromise, Ohlins understand that and supply high speed compressions by stadard!) these aren't progressive enough as for air volume- no spacers in them had I found. High speed riding on any other setting of low speed compression than fully open makes the bike unridable, yet 2 clicks from full open were enough though to stabilize the bike from sinking too deep when suspensios compresses while on the jump- which was what causeed rotation forward when in the air.Also tested that on a Fox damper with adjustable 3 settings of volume chamber. 1, chamber of full volume= nosediving, 2, chamber of half volume = well controlled flight position. So on my Performance damper i went 1 click, still ridable at high speeds + added a volume token = problem solved, bike is stable when getting air, even on steep dirt style high speed stuff!! It goes faster as well. Nevertheless Fox Performance series is crap, cannot fine tune it really. Also cannot mask lack of skill with equipment, yet here that was not the issue! Same goes for high speed stuff, people tend to add more and more rebound damping whereas the problem is the suspension doesnt manage to retract enough before next compression and bike becomes 'nervous'. Opening rebound helps. Fox Dialed series is really worth watching, i would say 90-95 % of riders has actually no idea of how to set up the suspension properly..

[@Jimbo_Black]

...he yawed the whole way 🤣

[@kaneda4102]

I always thought the term came from when a captain goes down with his ship. Imagine him stood there at the bow with it taking him to the depths.

[@JB50713]

What a great video.

[@EliEverson-jv4io]

where can i buy tickets for the intentional yaw off I was sold when he "yawed all the way" thanks ben for the vid I myself have been a dead sailor quite a bit.

[@rodrigoquintero9169]

Once in the air, could rotation be influenced by brake actuation?. Would rear or front brake have any influence to which way the bike would rotate?

[@sp00n]

Yes, very slightly. Pulling the rear brake will rotate you very slightly forwards. And I think the front would actually do the same, due to conversation of the rotational momentum. The question is, will you have enough time to realize that and execute it in time to have any effect on the outcome. Probably not, but you can try and maybe get lucky 😅

[@FLY1NF1SH]

@ben how do you like those high rise bars? As a fellow tall im really debating trying it out

[@BigMoose906]

My pilot brain would love to see a yaw off competition. 👍

[@sssamful]

This script should win an Emmy

[@AdventureRich]

12:14 with no elbow or knee pads is wild

[@gambas2219]

Good job, thx!

[@MTBeginner24]

You showed so much otbs and crashes Im even more afraid of jumping after watching then I was before

[@abc-lr3wv]

Ben is hilarious 😂 and the drawings are 😂😂😂

[@Nicoya]

You know I feel like mastering the bunny hop is the key to mastering the control of a takeoff on a jump, but I've watched probably 150 "how to bunny hop" videos and every time I go out to try it on the bike afterwards it's just a huge steaming pile of "this feels nothing like what they described in the video and nothing I do actually gets the bike off the ground effectively".

[@sp00n]

Separate the movements! First try the front wheel lift, resp. a (very short) manual. Not by pulling up on the handlebars, but by pushing through the pedals, and your hands are just there so that the handlebar keeps straight. Then try to lift the back wheel using your body weight by moving your center of gravity (i.e. bum). And then practice to combine the two movements quickly enough. This will take time.

[@Nicoya]

@@sp00n Yeah getting the front wheel off the ground without yanking like a mofo is the first step that I have never managed to figure out.

[@sp00n]

@@Nicoya You basically want to push the bike forwards beneath you, through the pedals. Not pulling up, this then happens automatically since your hands are "in the way" of pushing the bike too far away from you.

[@wbshoggoth6831]

Love it!

[@flys2k]

“Target acquisired” 😂

[@mudia80]

There is a trick that CAN HELP A BIT with a dead sailor landing on a rear wheel scenario. Hit rear brake in the air. As the wheel rotates and have it's momentum, stopping it will transfer this momentum on the bike. Wheel mass alone is about 4% of the bike+rider weight so it will pitch You only a little, but this little is sometimes difference between life and death.

[@knowledgeseeker2720]

Yes! The only reason I watch PinkBike, Cathro!

[@efdbjon2114]

why fix the audio on youtube but not on pinkbike

[@tdyerwestfield]

I thought 'dead sailor' just meant not doing any skill or style in the air, rather than not jumping properly. The term comes from motocross doesn't it?

[@mossmediaco]

Shout out Kamloops Bike Ranch at 9:21

[@ericnelson4593]

I think it would be cool if you cross-analyzed other 2-wheeled sports like motocross, motogp, mxgp, etc. There is a ton of inspiration/cross-pollination that could benefit all of the sports.

[@tommih597]

The degree of yaws 😆

[@stevemendelson4711]

If it wasn't for Ben Cathro's. I wouldn't even watch anything Pink Bike dos. He definitely is carrying you guys on his shoulders!!!

[@wil6817]

The drawing 😂😂😂 "bom" 😂😂😂

[@DaStuntChannel]

Dead sailor happens 90% when tilting on the air, accidental ROLL

[@bicikircho]

This video is cinema.