Monday March 6, 2023

Catching up from last week, Friday thru today.

Friday, March 3rd, 2023

Dirt Jump Day, finally.  I put off going here, for I don't know what reason.  None of the jumps (that I hit) are over my head, in heighty or tech.  As well built as they are, I cannot get the rythm correct to keep speed enough.  Ended up stacking it on number two, while nose diving in trying to create a good pump.  Front wheel was crooked from leaving the previous jump with not quite enough speed, so it caught a soft spot, led to nose-wheelie, which led to endo-ing in to the face of the next jump.

Brushed myself off, figured out what happened, and was going to pack it up without even completing the entire set.  Talked myself into staying, trying to keep on that "don't give up" mindset, don't waste days or opportunity, especially when I know something is within reach.  I know, pretty deep for a 55 year old just hitting dirt jumps, but trying to create a habit that transcends.  So, lined up cameras, hit the entire set next try - a couple times and then called it a day.

Saturday-Sunday

With the pending doom of making the ramp higher, personal safety has become a slight concern as risk could potentially increase.  Broke out the helmets again to try out and see what the deal is.  The DH helmet is preferable as the protection is better, it's a more robust helmet than the Bell Super III.  But after wearing it for a few runs, the visibility is not great.  Left and right peripheral is fine, even looking up/ahead is ok, but looking down towards coping - the field of view is occluded to the point where it feels like a blind spot, and make going over coping uncomfortable because I cannot see/feel where it is.

Goggles, while they look cool, also occlude the field of view just a bit.

So, tried the Bell Super, which seemed OK in the past.  Has the same issue as the DH helmet, but much less.  Felt almost comfortable sending it over coping, the chin guard is much more slight on this one.  Can't come to terms with being comfortable with such a blind spot - wonder how vert riders manage, I guess you just have to get used to it? 

Monday, March 6th, 2023

Workday, so not a lot of time to do much.  Few runs on the ramp, trying to make sense of the extension.  Some days you're just "on", some days your switch is in low-fi, and some days you just have to struggle. Today was a little bit of struggle, but good to just keep in the habit and keep the feel of the ramp.