Lee McCormack is one of my favorite people. His enthusiasm for mountain biking and life is contagious. In this interview you get some insight into the world of skills training as well as his tips for improving your ride the next time you hit the trail.
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-James Wilson-
James,
I had purchased clipless pedals and tried riding with them for while several years ago. I tried to do the pull up on the upstroke thing but found that I had to tell my body to perform that action rather than doing what comes natural and just push the pedal down. I was never able to pinpoint why it felt unnatural until I read your comment about having only so much neural juice, I think you summed it up quite nicely what I have been unable to articulate when asked by my riding buddies why I prefer flats. I have heard and read about the benefits some get from riding with clipless but in my experience flat are far superior on so many fronts that I would recommend flats over clipless everytime. Also, I love it when science contradicts the prevailing wisdom that pulling up is better than pushing down on the pedal. Keep up the good work.
Later,
John Mc.
James,
I had purchased clipless pedals and tried riding with them for while several years ago. I tried to do the pull up on the upstroke thing but found that I had to tell my body to perform that action rather than doing what comes natural and just push the pedal down. I was never able to pinpoint why it felt unnatural until I read your comment about having only so much neural juice, I think you summed it up quite nicely what I have been unable to articulate when asked by my riding buddies why I prefer flats. I have heard and read about the benefits some get from riding with clipless but in my experience flat are far superior on so many fronts that I would recommend flats over clipless everytime. Also, I love it when science contradicts the prevailing wisdom that pulling up is better than pushing down on the pedal. Keep up the good work.
Later,
John Mc.
Thanks for the feedback, glad the article made sense. The funny thing is that there is far more science to back up what I’m saying than what the “pull up on the backstroke” crowd can produce but I’m supposed to be the crazy one. Oh well…
The biking world could use alot more heretic’s like you James. LOL
Bought some Mallet 3s after riding flat pedal from Dec 2012 to last week. I had ridden SPD for 20 yrs prior. I am happy after 3 rides on the mallet 3s . I will be switching back to flats and 5.10s for teh next few rides though. I gained some good things from riding flats.
Bought some Mallet 3s after riding flat pedal from Dec 2012 to last week. I had ridden SPD for 20 yrs prior. I am happy after 3 rides on the mallet 3s . I will be switching back to flats and 5.10s for teh next few rides though. I gained some good things from riding flats.