Ride like a PRO?
- Thread starter suitcase
- Start date
I don't know if my situation is kinda what your talking about or not but thought I would throw it out there to see what your guys thoughts are. My wife and I have been primarily trail riders and so has are group. The whole trail thing is kinda boring to me and id like to start riding offtrail/take some trips west. And knowing the odds of me doing this without trying to include my wife are pretty low I thought we could take a clinic to start off on the right foot. I'm alittle hesitant though being that our backcountry skills are pretty much zero are we going to be holding the group up, will my wife feel overwhelmed and rushed trying to keep up? I think she would enjoy off trail riding once she got the hang of it but she can get frustrated easy sometimes and I don't want her first experience to be bad. Sorry for the long ramble, maybe off topic. Thoughts or opinions welcome.
Nick
Nick
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suitcase
Well-known member
92 this has been my point in this thead. So not off topic at all. I will take a stab at this, but mountainhorse would be a good one to ask about your concerns. I would have to believe that if you enrolled in a clinic they would be more than willing to acomadate you and your wife, regardless of your level of backcountry riding skills.
92 coupe Take a look at this website. I believe Amber Holt has exactly what you are looking for.
http://www.backcountrybasics.com/
http://www.backcountrybasics.com/
If you are a less aggressive rider then do you really want to ride like a pro. In which case who cares what an add says. I take the term ride like a pro means extreme riding. It targets a crowd of extreme sports enthusiast that are looking for the edge or for someone to push them. The one other thing it does is it weeds out the non aggressive, thats the part no one will state because they don't want to offend people. When it started some of these guys took all and any to teach them weather they where pro's or newbies. Now there are clinics more directed for newbies and some that are for pro's. So if you target the pro's, they pay and you get to have fun riding instead of pulling out newbies all day.
I think it is all in the perception of the consumer, I think I can ride like a pro but wouldn't go to these clinics to be taught, I would go to be pushed.
The way I look at someone taking offense to this, visa versa would be if I took offense to Amber Holts Back Country Basics and read it as she was telling me I had to go through her check list first before I could ride the backcountry. Which is absurd, Getting pi$$y about an add is ridiculous, if its not for you then don't worry about it, they are targeting a certain group in a way to make money. Let the market work.
BTW, some of the best ways to learn is to watch others when you ride, I help a lot of newbies/experienced riders that havent figured it out yet, new tricks on how to manipulate there sled to have more fun. I doubt any of them will ever ride to the level I do but its still my goal to teach them everything I know and they love learning new things at there speed. They don't seem to offended by me out riding them everywhere and they sure don't think of me as inconsiderate.
I think it is all in the perception of the consumer, I think I can ride like a pro but wouldn't go to these clinics to be taught, I would go to be pushed.
The way I look at someone taking offense to this, visa versa would be if I took offense to Amber Holts Back Country Basics and read it as she was telling me I had to go through her check list first before I could ride the backcountry. Which is absurd, Getting pi$$y about an add is ridiculous, if its not for you then don't worry about it, they are targeting a certain group in a way to make money. Let the market work.
BTW, some of the best ways to learn is to watch others when you ride, I help a lot of newbies/experienced riders that havent figured it out yet, new tricks on how to manipulate there sled to have more fun. I doubt any of them will ever ride to the level I do but its still my goal to teach them everything I know and they love learning new things at there speed. They don't seem to offended by me out riding them everywhere and they sure don't think of me as inconsiderate.
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Coupe, great post, spot on here. Actually, your situation is an easy one. A clinic like Amber's would be perfect for the both of you and would help get you started off on the right foot. PLUS, in your case, I would assume you don't have mountain sleds, and someone like Amber could put you on current, capable, perfectly set up equipment for this environment. (But they are green
) So here's two senarios:1.) You and your Wife come out here to have a 'Mountain Sledding' vacca.
You bring your skills set.
You bring your equipment.
You ride in a totally different environment.
The resulting stuck/frustration fest is predictable. Just as your Wife never wanting to repeat the experiance.
2.) You and your Wife come out here to have a 'Mountain Sledding' Vacca.
You book a clinic with someone like Amber.
You bring your skill set. Fine, you will need it.
You don't have to bring your equipment, money saved. Travel easier.
You ride in a totally different (and horribly addictive!!!) environment with a skilled rider/coach that helps you make the most of the experiance and learn how to get around safely and successfully.You and your Wife head home both eager to repeat the experiance.
Perfect.
I think the real problem that we are disscussing in this thread is with the folks that have 'grown up' here, riding here. Mountain riding has changed alot in the last few years and many rides have grasp that and excelled on the new equipment.
However. Just like any advertisment plan, people are told that they HAVE TO HAVE this set of vents or thier sled will smoke belts. They HAVE TO run this track or that MOD or they can't get out of the snow park. If they don't make all these mods to thier equipment they aren't "Serious" riders. Some of this stuff is no more than fads. Look at the bar risers. Up to 2 years ago, there was an entire catalog full of parts out there just makiing bars higher, cables longer etc. If you didn't have your bars up, you wern't a true mountain rider, cause if you were a true mountain rider YOU KNEW you had to raise your bars. Then, one guy on a video makes the statement that bars should be kept low and now you get openly fussed at on here if you mention raising your bars. No matter what your own personal preferance is.Same with the clinics now. If you haven't ridden with XXXX or gone to a clinic with YYYYY then your not serious, cause this guy did, and where does that leave you?
Un-measured.
Like the kid that shows up at the school dance in last years hair cut.
One of my most endearing qualities is I don't give a ____ what you think unless your on my 1040 form or paying my bills. Sure, I have to do things alone alot, but my whiskey lasts longer, and so do my cigars. And I don't worry about what others think I should do, I do what is best for me and my Wife, and ignore stuff that doesn't matter.
I think that is Suits point, he doesn't want people to think they HAVE to do a clinic.
It's a good fit for some, not needed for others. The choice is yours.
Have fun, and please do come out and ride, it's a whole different world!
Bag
I know what your after, but disagree. I would be looking for the one that targeted the best and most aggressive for myself and the better they state it might make it more likely I go, after a little research anyway. I wouldn't go because of a fad. Everything you do in today's world has a sales pitch, even a job interview. Make what you will of it.
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suitcase
Well-known member
very good points wyo. I would not be against going to one structured like CB's clinics. But I am one of those guys that is a do it myself, by watching and riding with people like him. ( and Im to cheap)
I'm sure any rider could come away from one with new skills.
Thanks for you input, I don't mind when people disagree with me, LOL
I'm sure any rider could come away from one with new skills.
Thanks for you input, I don't mind when people disagree with me, LOL
I'm cheap too, I can relate to what you are saying, here people say so in so is the best but they can't tell you why. I even ask what do they do I don't, because I want the challenge not because I think I'm better or as good, just simply don't get it (well I do but I think you get my drift). Last year non of them had anything to say and they started taking advice from me and others. They are figuring it out for them selves rather than thinking someone else had to show them.
I try to get everyone to understand if anyone can do then so can you, if you want and to what ever level you want.
I try to get everyone to understand if anyone can do then so can you, if you want and to what ever level you want.
My luck someone else is already in the process,
When you find someone that is competitive to the point of looking at every aspect to have the upper hand and you do the same, your abilities will advance in days what it takes some to do in years. Best way to advance IMO.
When you find someone that is competitive to the point of looking at every aspect to have the upper hand and you do the same, your abilities will advance in days what it takes some to do in years. Best way to advance IMO.
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suitcase
Well-known member
That is why we have road together for so long If I count I think 10 or 11 yrs. now, and it is always a push each other day.
92
Best post I have seen in a while. I agree with BAGGER. If you still want to come out west there are places for you to learn if a clinic is not in the vacation budget. Go to the Riding area section. Pick a state and ask for help. All these guys are mostly softies. They have places they would take you. They would teach you some and tax your abilities. Heck, WYO may even let you crach at his house.
Best post I have seen in a while. I agree with BAGGER. If you still want to come out west there are places for you to learn if a clinic is not in the vacation budget. Go to the Riding area section. Pick a state and ask for help. All these guys are mostly softies. They have places they would take you. They would teach you some and tax your abilities. Heck, WYO may even let you crach at his house.
Not sure where you're located but Dan Adam's also does a FANTASTIC clinic that takes any level rider and works with you. Dan has also done EXTENSIVE avalanche training and offers some of that in his classes too!!
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snowmobiler
Well-known member
im waiting for schooled by skadi
