Tips for when your riding sucks AND blows!︱Cross Training Enduro

www.crosstraini... You know those days you just can't seem to ride well? Here are some tips when your riding sucks. Welcome to Cross Training Enduro! This channel is an introduction on how to ride dirt bikes with our 70 free training vids. Tips from Graham Jarvis, Chris Birch and other top enduro riders on cross training - a blend of trials and enduro techniques. And Australian Tim Coleman loves to ride hard enduro events like the Red Bull Sea to Sky on his Beta RR300 dirt bike due to his trials background. The rise of extreme enduro, endurocross and hard enduro events has led to cross training - trials skills applied to dirt riding on enduro bikes with dirt riding tips and techniques. Subscribe for endurocross training, enduro techniques and dirt bike skills. Cross training is the application of trials-based skills to dirt riding, and it's got solid backing from the world's top riders for great dirt riding techniques. This is the first in a series of articles about enduro cross training for dirt bike skills. We'll start by looking at how the principles of trials riding can make such a big difference to your dirt riding, with riding tips from Tim Coleman and Ruben Chadwick. Losing traction is a cardinal sin in trials riding, and riders go to extreme lengths to ensure their tires don't slip. Graham Jarvis says "Going fast is the easy bit. It’s going slowly that will help you develop control. Simple riding exercises which are actually difficult to perform can give you a lot of control", while according to Taddy Blazusiak, "Want to be faster off-road? Slow down! See it in our dirt bike videos. Try to be as calculated, calm and precise as possible". Jonny Walker, Ruben Chadwick and Tim Coleman are all highly skilled trials riders now on enduro bikes who agree. Tim Coleman plans to fly out from Australia and ride hard enduro events like Romaniacs and the Red Bull Sea to Sky because he has applied his trials riding to extreme enduro technique. Initially, cross training enduro skills slow you right down (even to a stand still!) so that you can relearn key dirt riding skills then gradually build up your speed again.
Into enduro riding? See all our dirt bike videos for dirt riding tips. Our channel now had hundreds of dirt bike videos covering reviews, and dirt riding techniques. Search our channel for dirt riding gear too. Our dirt riding tips also include wider topics such as the best dirt riding boots.
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#crosstrainingenduro #enduro #tractionerag #dirtbike

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Blast from the past! Some time ago, I stopped creating weekly supporter videos for viewers who were financially helping to keep the channel afloat. I'm slowly releasing a few of the more popular ones so you may have seen the much shorter version a few years ago. Enjoy!

[@bazza8947]

I strive to get to the level where my riding only sucks and blows.

[@Throttleplays]

😂🤣- same .. ah f- it 🤷‍♂️😆

[@wyattblessing7078]

I have often wondered what it looked like to hike through a jungle with a dirt bike on my back. Now I know. You lads are insane.....ly awesome.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

😂 It's an acquired taste for sure!

[@danmanthe9335]

I love it when Barry gives me tips that I can use every single time I get near my bike!

[@themasterofnone3324]

On those bad days, I'll see that overcoming any of those small troublesome obstacles as a win. Definitely helps boost my mood on a bad day. Take a win when you can

[@jp094283]

What a great attitude. It’s nice to see you guys helping each other on the trail.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Very lucky to ride with a great bunch of guys.

[@psychosis7au]

Awesome video mate. Great footage.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Glad you enjoyed it, Gavin!

[@dirtbikesicehockey4788]

I will give up dirt bikes when I give up breathing.

[@05rc51ryan]

The twisty thing on the right solves most of my hang up issues.

[@Throttleplays]

I absolutely love how you hit on the psychological side of riding way too many people focus on every other skill set except that. And I believe the mental game is probably more or makes up more than the physical Side of riding or any sport for that matter.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Cheers. Yeah we talk about this stuff all the time. It doesn't make for very popular videos but then that was never the aim of our vids. 😊

[@Throttleplays]

Cheers mate!!

[@jimmcbride6297]

That's some nasty terrain, I would definitely suck. Although most of my rides have varying degrees of suck; occasionally, everything clicks and I have an almost perfect ride...love that feeling!

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Love those rides where it call comes together and you're on a high for the rest of the day...

[@tincho1979]

Definitivamente es un tema mental. También es imposible que todo salga bien todo el tiempo. 🤷🏻‍♂️ En mi caso en “esos” días “malos” trato de asegurar, no arriesgar demasiado y trabarme en alguna zona. Y dejo para los días de “Flow” para hacer cosas más arriesgadas 😉 Saludos desde Argentina 🇦🇷

[@JagLite]

Good suggestions. If we're having an off day, remember riding is to have fun. If it isn't fun, don't do it. Go home or ride something, or somewhere else that is fun. Nobody wants to ride with someone who is having a bad day, even less if that person gets injured.

[@naturalbornleniwiec]

Thank you. I know I'm not the only one dealing with these days, but still it's nice to be reminded it's completely normal and all will be fine in the end.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

100%

[@markbevans8564]

Nah Barry, every day is a mediocre day, lol!! I don't count the first 1/2 hour at all in fact most of my weird crashes are in that first half-hour anyway. The "next intersection" is my friend, lol! Even if nothings working as should, no biggie really, as any day on the trails is a bloody good day! And if it's really that bad I'll still idle along practicing on my slow speed stuff. Beats the crap out of staying home on the porch...

[@crosstrainingenduro]

The "next intersection" is my friend.... love it!

[@georgia3502]

When out riding with the guys, just goof riding,I normally try to run 75-100% of my race pace, for those days when nothing is going right, I do like you said and move to the back and ride sweep. But my one difference is I super focus on the proper techniques. I obviously slow it down to 50-60% of race pace. But, while riding in the back no one is watching, I am not slowing anyone up, so I then go into proper skills only mode, speed is no longer an issue, and I am not trying to keep up or keep ahead of anyone. You know the things you are always supposed to be doing like, off the seat, on the balls of your feet, elbows up, hips back ect. The things you know you are supposed to do, and try to do, but when you are running flat out seem to always seem to slack off on and do not do as properly as you should. So when I am totally stuffing it up I go to the back, slow down a bit and then hyper focus (even exaggerate some of the techniques) on what you know you are supposed to be doing. Helps me practice on the skills a bit, and even sometimes since I am focusing so hard on the proper techniques, I get back in the groove before the day is done and salvage some of the day.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Great approach. I regularly film Coxy who is now silver class in our hard enduro series. During our coaching in Canada, every afternoon there was a social ride. Everyone forgets their technique and just goofs around. Not Coxy. He was constantly applying everything he learned that morning... and even exaggerating the technique to get it into his brain.

[@danbutler2934]

This. 100% At 63 I try to ride better not necessarily faster. For me, learning and fun hopefully won't end in a lifetime.

[@travishall67]

Wow, that was some intense riding. I love taking my bike offroad and have gotten into a few extreme situations, but when I say extreme... nothing like 20+ things I just saw in this video. You guys make it look fun but I don't have the skills to be able to enjoy riding quite that rough. Be safe and have fun! 🙂👍🍻

[@crosstrainingenduro]

There's definitely a lot of stuff to learn before this kind of terrain is actually fun to ride! Much tougher than this and I'd be crying in my helmet lol.

[@LostIn207]

Speaking for myself, sometime it takes a few hours of riding just to get into sync with the bike if you haven't ridden in awhile.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

It only takes me two weeks off the bike and this is often the case. Whereas I know guys who don't ride for six months and there are straight back in without a worry lol.

[@James-nc2ed]

When I'm not feeling it, I will either cut the ride short or ride really chill. Often, after taking a break, I can get into "The Zone".

[@OtisFlint]

A good break to regroup is key. I find i turn 1 mistake into 5 if i have a decent get-off and try to go straight back to full pace. If it's a big one, you also don't know how hurt you are for 10 minutes or so. I broke my shoulder, sprained a wrist, bruised my ribs and bruised a lung badly enough that it wasn't fully inflating. For the first 5 minutes i thought i just needed a quick regroup and i'd be good to go, as the adrenaline wore off that clearly was not the case.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Damn that's a serious bunch of injuries!

[@bushybill7189]

For me it's all a matter of whether I'm 'feeling it' or not. Experience tells me that if I'm not feeling it after an so to pull the pin. I can't say I care too much about what people might think.

[@TijmenHatesads]

Something I've learned in other sports is that it's not so much about a single session, but about a slow improvement on skills that tends to keep things interesting for me. Also, unless you are training with a specific goal in mind there is nothing wrong with turning around if you're not having a good time. I know sometimes I just get into it later so usually I'll struggle through for a while but if you know that doesn't happen for you then quitting could be the right call.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Everyone in our group enjoys picking up news skills and facing tougher obstacles. But as some of us hit our 50s and 60s we are needing to balance it all with just surviving the ride as well lol.

[@julius8966]

Gotta give you guys credit for eagerly wrestling through those steep wet singles. I prefer flatter, wider and dryer tracks on my DRZ.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Getting a DRZ through these sections would be a real workout lol.

[@take5th]

I’m 67. Some days I just ride great (for me). When I do, I thank god I can still dance, tho not a believer, and then there are days when things don’t click. I get behind the bike, trying to catch up, obviously not in focus, and I rest, and go home.

[@surronzak8154]

You giving me hope, I'm 36 and allready fear the days I'm to old to ride even if now I ride everyday and be fit , but 67 dang you rock

[@crosstrainingenduro]

I'm just a few years behind you. I'm always inspired by guys like Paul Rodden who are riding into their 80s. kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5XMZZ-Ya9mSlcU

[@waynemodesitt3445]

I'm also 67 and love riding the (somewhat) difficult singletrack trails. I ride with a group of talented guys ranging from 30-50 years old. They are faster than me but I don't mind (much...haha). Gives me incentive to work on my riding skills and to keep in shape.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Great to hear, Wayne. We occasionally ride with a guy who is 70 and he enjoys the slower tougher tracks we ride. But he just says no to certain obstacles and needs a bit more time to get his breath back. I hope to do as well as him as I'm not all that far off his age myself!

[@take5th]

@@crosstrainingenduro yes, I live in florida, so the terrain is not challenging, though it is mostly deep moon dust sugar sand. And I take a bit to get my breath back for sure. But it doesn’t matter. When I go home I am tired and grateful i was out there at all, even if I can’t keep up with others in certain (most) circumstances. And while ive come to believe this will never actually happen, I always think about getting a 250 something and go to the local MX track. I can do a few laps early in the day and go home. But, the jumps these days are not the same as the 1970s! Then the emphasis was on natural terrain type of jumps, very few man-made jumps that were trailered and maintained like today to give that kind of air. Last time i rode a track before that was in 1974. i actually took my drz there one day and tried her out but wasn’t the greatest idea. Ive been told I am special.

[@teamground0229]

I am just returning to dual sport after a few years out. Thanks for the laughs and advice. I am one that is calm in emergencies, but melt down when I get stuck. As if I am being chased by a bear and need to get out quickly to save my life. A mental block to laugh at.

[@gilgarza2903]

1. This is true for any sport, get those fundamentals down packed. It'll make things easier. 2. Were you prepared? Both mentally and physically? 3. EVERYONE will have a bad day or a slump. 4. DON'T QUIT. Riding a dirt bike is great exercise. 5. A bad day of riding is better than staying at home. Cheers mate.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Good training for life!

[@khowdyshell6606]

I find levity to be of benefit. Just laugh it off as one of those days. It's supposed to be "fun". It stops being enjoyable when we make it like "work". Sure I want to ride well and improve too but beating myself up doesn't help. Plus the more relaxed I am, the better I ride. Getting upset leads to tension and to fighting against myself, mentally and physically. JUST GRIN, OR EVEN GIGGLE A BIT, AND BEAR IT. Laughter really is the best medicine for me in this case.😂

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Great point. It's interesting to see when riders like Jarvis crash doing their stunt riding for the crowd they just laugh it off. I always thought the pro level riders would be swearing or making excuses or beating themselves up....

[@seawench555]

Thanks for the quick mention of us female riders, was getting worried there u might forget we love our dirt riding too. 😲🤣🇦🇺 really enjoy ur vlogs👍

[@crosstrainingenduro]

😎👍

[@x_apollyon2822]

Perhaps pluto and mercury are in... uranus 😂😂😂 Your sense of humor cracks me up every time!

[@gonegliding2966]

Thanks for the comical look at a serious topic.I can relate to all aspects and it translates across multiple sports!

[@crosstrainingenduro]

And life itself. 😊

[@DrSweetshaft]

Some tough , beautiful trails there! What part of our planet is this?

[@crosstrainingenduro]

East coast Arse-trailer. More commonly known as Australia. 😁

[@xibilfc21]

From my experience not just in dirt biking, but also in gymnastics (ie sports where if things go wrong, they really can go wrong :D ), usually bad days result due to lack of sleep. Poor nutrition also plays a big part. When days like that come, it's just important to do the bare minimum well and leave the heroics for another day. Otherwise, you're basically inviting an injury which will put you out for longer. Much longer.

[@intrigue175175]

Great advice. I've learned I don't want to ride those types of trails. Fighting for every inch just doesn't sound fun to me.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Definitely ain't for everyone. And definitely takes a bunch of different techniques than riding fast on the more open stuff.

[@Johnsmithabcde]

Best channel going around

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Cheers! 😎

[@EB-rj3ds]

Le difficoltà creano opportunità, ho usato ancora l’enduro per vedere i miei miglioramenti mentali e le mie capacità di reagire alla vita creando dalle chiuse possibilità. Nel mentre accettando i miei limiti, e non frustandomi

[@motomike33]

That one hit way too close to home! 😂

[@MarkM-ke6cn]

I start slow, and taper off from there. Smooth and steady...no need to "go for broke" in my world.

[@BombersMC808]

Well done mate.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Cheers 😎👍

[@nickt471]

I have been every one of them but when I get home. Clean my bike. Smell the 2 stroke. I can’t wait to get back out

[@billscott1601]

At my age I try to ride only on my “good days.”

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Not a bad idea. We tend to break instead of bounce once we hit our 60s and beyond.

[@enablerdave]

I keep riding when I'm having a shitty day. I figure when you're riding poorly, it's the best time to get some practice in. Learn to perform when things aren't going my way. Wait.. that's like ALL the time. lol. A bad day of riding beats the best day in the office.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

"A bad day of riding beats the best day in the office" 😍

[@jjustj]

Nice thoughts, hows the back doing?

[@zaidienyu-tk2kl]

tq mate i try this advice😂

[@KillrMillr7]

Your riding sucks…. I immediately clicked on this one. I don’t have the dexterity to make it move the way I used to, so I have to compensate by getting drunker, lol. Just kidding great vid.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Correction. Our riding sucks AND blows. 😊

[@gordonborsboom7460]

As a ventilation expert, I suck and blow for a living. If it don't suck or blow, Gord don't know

[@crosstrainingenduro]

😂

[@tsilimponis94]

I am currently the guy to go home, there is always tommorow.

[@mattman3495]

Bravo

[@glennalderton1313]

"Myself and my fellow hippopotami are offended! " OMG! What has the world come to when that sort of comment is likely to appear??!!! Bound to happen. OK, seriously, if I think I'm going out to have a great ride, well that's the clue that gives away that the ride will totally suck. So now, I just say to myself to just have fun and enjoy myself. The ride still sucks but hey, I'm having fun while it does so! Chris Birch just got a day win in silver class at Romaniacs using the same technique so it's gotta be good.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Great to see Birchy still has some good skills, Glenn. I've been following his results on Facebook.

[@jarrod1687]

Too many cones the night before can reek havoc on balance the next morning, so I'm told

[@crosstrainingenduro]

😂

[@Jeremybaland]

Without "bad" days how do know what a good day is?

[@crosstrainingenduro]

😎👍 Good philosopy for life itself!

[@bh8459]

Good always follows bad and bad always follows good.

[@TokenTombstone]

Can confirm....I'm terrible with hangover riding. Can we set off at 11?

[@crosstrainingenduro]

😂

[@otmuppet]

Barry, where do i get the pink sweat bands? My GG could use the extra cred...or maybe i could use them

[@crosstrainingenduro]

😂 Dunno. One of my 'friends' transported my bike to a hard enduro event and decked the whole bike out in pink shit and fairy wings!

[@otmuppet]

​@crosstrainingenduro you obviously kicked ass and took names at the event!

[@markhills3922]

that is some seriously snotty terrain of the type i would of enjoyed a few too-many years ago; i looked at each 'section' as it's own challenge; if i stuffed up on one bit, which i did often, it didn't really stick in my mind unless i hurt myself or the bike in which case i would give myself several uppercuts for being such a klutz...and the day would only get worse from that time on; once fun leaves the room, its time to turn off the music and head for home the easy way; boots off, a chair, a campfire and a few cleansing beverages always made a bad day better...all the psychobabble in the world aint going to make anyone ride better; sitting back, relaxing and engaging in some bench racing is all the medicine needed before the quite drive home.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

A cleansing ale and bench racing. Just what the doctor ordered!

[@willmcgregor7184]

If it was always easy people would complain about being bored? Comparison to others can rob you of joy. Group rides have good and bad aspects as does solo.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

I must admit I struggle with this when I have trouble in a section that everyone else rode well. I've seen all the best extreme enduro riders just laugh if they crash in front of a crowd. Or at least don't lose their cool. A very good trait I need to learn!

[@marcb4788]

That trail had zero flow 😂

[@crosstrainingenduro]

With our skills (or lack thereof)? Definitely!

[@painsrides3616]

Or just ride in a group like ours where no one rides good, ever so none of us know any better.... 🤔

[@crosstrainingenduro]

😁👍

[@davehowe_just_an_old_dirtbiker]

One time I was riding bad. I blame it on a toilet seat mishap the night before. It had nothing to do with uranus, just my anus.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

😂

[@cedricboivin9422]

Just repeat "it's not a big deal"

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Yep. And we'll be dead a long time so make the most of it.

[@minkusmcminkus7598]

Great points, ride yur dammbike

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Always!