HINTS FOR THE NEW RIDER

• Learn to balance at the gate with both feet on the pedals. This skill will help you get a faster start, and you won’t have to worry about missing a pedal once the gate drops.
• Practice gate starts from all 8 lanes.
• Focus on the first jump or berm as soon as the gate drops. See where you want to go.
• Try to get the hole shot, or first position, out of the gate. This position puts you at an advantage, as long as you can hold the lead.
• Stay low on the jumps. Most of the time, you are faster on the ground, so learn how to stay low and speed jump.
• Keep pedaling all the way to the end and even after you have crossed the finish line. Many riders who thought they had won slowed down to raise their arms in victory only to have the next rider sneak in for the win.
• When practicing focus on all parts of the track – not just the jump you get the ‘best air’ on.
• Practice at as many different tracks as you can. All tracks have different start gates, start hills, jumps, berms and rhythm sections. Be prepared for anything.
• Make sure you attend beginner clinics that are offered throughout the season at your home track!