|
|
|
| Q&A: Slalom Pro Mike Maysey (2489 Posts)
|
| Topic |
Info |
|
Radikal FYI
|
|
On 7/27/2003
MARK MCCREE
wrote in from
(65.41.nnn.nnn)
FYI, I forgot to mention--
Kenny's king pin was the initial prototype batch he was OK. Noah's was the second generation (bubble in the middle batch). All owner's have been sent 4140 chromoly pins untill our supplier can get their sh%$#^T right. Hamm should have received his already.
I am reorganizing my architectural biz so that I can get out to more of these races you guys are having. I can't wait to have fun racing with all of you.
Mike- It was fun in Breck. Hope to see you soon. Keith is looking forward to a rematch with a board he has spent more than one day on.
|
|
|
|
|
Kenny in Breck
|
|
On 7/27/2003
MARK MCCREE
wrote in from
(65.41.nnn.nnn)
Kenny used a 4" width RADIKAL which converts to a basic INDY 101. (close enough) The original DSX Radikals run in the 80's were tracker mid track (3-1/2) width with 4" rear.
|
|
|
|
|
Traction
|
|
On 7/25/2003
mike maysey
wrote in from
(63.110.nnn.nnn)
Hamm, my toe of my shoe is sitting on the inner truck holes. I guess that places the ball of my foot just behind those bolts. For toe-side turns, I use my toes on my back foot a little more than my front foot. I'm pushing my board around with my back foot on the toe and pushing my board around with my front heel on heel turns.
|
|
|
|
|
Traction
|
|
On 7/24/2003 Hamm
wrote in from
(63.175.nnn.nnn)
Right on Mike! I think the stay low,leg extension thing will really help me.
When you say you place your toes on your front truck holes, do you mean your toe-toes, or the general toe area of your shoe? It seems that if your toes are on the front truck holes that would place the ball of your foot too much heelside and limit your toeside leverage.(does that make sense?) Where would you say the ball of your foot sits?
|
|
|
|
|
Traction
|
|
On 7/24/2003
mike maysey
wrote in from
(65.234.nnn.nnn)
Hamm asks, "Technique wise, what advice can you offer in regards to holding traction on High Speed GS courses?"
My advice on most GS courses would revolve around keeping the lowest center of gravity possible. For example, the course at WLAC last weekend had various sections. There were sections where I was 'up' (I say up relative be being down, get it?) and pumping while in others I needed to be low/compressed yet still turning and then others where I just did my version of the 'Hut Tuck' (which sucks I might add). Essentially, stay as low as you can in GS. It increases with traction, it helps make leg extension for offsets easier, and when you find a section where you can tuck, you're already almost there.
(I know 1 thing I need is deck with straighter rails that is fatter at the tail so more of my foot is actually on the deck providing more secure footing & downforce when moving rail to rail, and I'm holding out for the new Turners)
I agree completely. Especially in GS, I am totally spoiled by the width on the GS board I'm riding right now. I rode a board in the “TS” that was wide and full with little or no flex. The difference between these two boards is like the difference between my 6’4” short board and my 7’0” mini-gun. One is just a scaled down version of the other.
But I want to hear about your technique, ie: foot placement, bending of knees or waist, upper body movement, etc.
Generally, I only bend at my knees. I try to keep my waist straight unless I'm tucking. And when I'm tucking, the Tunnel Road runs help for bending at the waist. At WLAC, I used a slightly different technique than usual. Instead of unweighting as I complete a turn, I held my weight down and tried to make my wheels stick. It worked and on my second run I didn't slide in that weird spot after the cross walk. I tried to keep my upper body as quiet as possible. Since that course was more of what I would define as GS than the course at JPL or the GS at Breck, I tried to stay really quiet and just keep everything down and forward. In some GS courses, I would say "slalom" because you wouldn’t ride a GS board (too long) and you wouldn't ride a TS board(too short), you would ride a slalom board or.........dare I say........a hybrid. Sorry Jack, I know how you hate that word!heheheh
Foot placement is as follows. I start out with my front foot, toes on the inner truck bolts. My back foot is somewhat weird. It starts lined up so that my heel will come down over the inner truck bolts on the rear truck. I think my feet move around some throughout a course, but that’s where they start.
Whew, that was a lot of info…….hope it helps some or all of you slalom freaks out there.
You like my car huh? Want the payments? hehehehe
Mike
|
|
|
|
|
Sorry Bruce
|
|
On 7/23/2003 Hamm
wrote in from
(63.175.nnn.nnn)
After Mike's 1st run I was walking up the hill and said to you, "WOW, did you see the way he stuck that bottom!" and you for sure said to me,"Yeah but he's wide in the middle"
Then as I was changing my wheels for the longboard race I saw you & Mike chat on Mike's way back up and the two of nodding as Mike walked away.
Didn't mean to put words in your mouth Bruce!
|
|
|
|
|
WLAC Giant Slalom
|
|
On 7/23/2003 Bruce Brewington
wrote in from
(63.81.nnn.nnn)
I really don't recall discussing what I told Mike about his line with anyone else. I just happened to be standing in the middle of the couse watching all the racers and noticed a couple of things...number one was that Ritchie and Koz took the straightest line through the mid-section of the course, going point-to-point, and Koz had the fastest first run. Also, I talked to JohnnyO after his last practice run, and he noted that the key to the course was the cone next to the manhole cover....the reasoning was that if you set up that cone with a high line, and crossed the fall line quickly, that set up the bottom third of the course. I just happen to notice that Mike's line was a lot wider than Ritchie's or Koz and mentioned my observation. I really don't like to give advice/observations to racers...'cause what do I know....I can't even get down that hill, much less at speed. I just told Mike to give him somthing positive that he could think about before his next run. He also noted a couple of other items such as Chicken's big push and SteveO's loose truck observation. Having ski raced for many years, one thing I do know is how to "see" the fastest line, and both Ritchie and Koz seemed to have had it in that section in the first timed run. It was really great to see how everyone charged the big hill and observe the points in the course where you could actually gain speed and carry it through to the bottom of the course.
|
|
|
|
|
Michael, Are you ever in the Sacto Area?
|
|
On 7/23/2003
Amie Brower
wrote in from
(12.146.nnn.nnn)
Would love to check you out!
|
|
|
|
|
Traction
|
|
On 7/23/2003 Hamm
wrote in from
(63.175.nnn.nnn)
Mike, your winning GS run was sick! I have to say that Bruce was pretty darn proud of himself for adjusting your line.
Technique wise, what advice can you offer in regards to holding traction on High Speed GS courses? I was really impressed with the way you attacked the bottom offsets. I just didn't have the confidence in my ability to hold traction there @ speed. (I know 1 thing I need is deck with straighter rails that is fatter at the tail so more of my foot is actually on the deck providing more secure footing & downforce when moving rail to rail, and I'm holding out for the new Turners) But I want to hear about your technique, ie: foot placement, bending of knees or waist, upper body movement, etc.
ps, nice car!
|
|
|
|
|
WLAC GS
|
|
On 7/23/2003
mike maysey
wrote in from
(65.234.nnn.nnn)
It was a hot day in SoCal. So hot, I was sweating as soon as I got out of my car. It was like stepping into an oven on full blast. We ran the tight race first and moved over to the big hill for some GS action. I didn't particularily like the course but we all had to run the same one, so it was even. I took a bunch of practice runs and was having a really tough time sorting out the course. There were a few edge to edge offsets in the beginning and then there was this section in the middle that had these stagger offsets. That lead into a couple more big offsets around the corner feeding into the finish line. I was having a really hard time finding the line through that section and finishing the course. I ran the course probably 10x in practice and didn't feel fast at all. Oh and there was also a weird section right after the cross walk. You would round this one cone, I think it was the next you would hit this spot that was really rough and lose traction.
First timed run......I watched as Chicken pushed in...four big ones. He jumped into the course and threw down a fast time. I didn't watch too many others as I was sitting in the shade and trying to relax and conserve my energy. My turn came and I took my run. I only got three medium pushes in but I thought it would be enough. I rounded cone and hit the rough section. It sort of threw me a little, but I was coming into stagger offset section where I knew I could generate speed. I pumped wildly, kind of like I did against Hut at Paso. I didn't carry nearly enough speed and came into the corner on a bad line and plowed a couple cones at the finish. I think I landed myself in 3rd after that run. I wasn't very happy with the run, but had one in the bank notheless.
So, I'm walking back up the hill and right near where Scott Peer is sitting under his umbrella and logging times is this little group of people. Olson, Wahl, and a couple others. Olson tells me my trucks look too loose. I ran them loose the day before at JPL, so I could make the course, but this course at WLAC was considerably less technical. I took Olson's advice, found a truck wrench and tightened my trucks. I sat down at the bottom and BSed with Olson and Wahl before heading back up the hill. Then I look up and see, here comes Brent Kosick...just BLAZING. He found something in the course that I didn't find, speed. I'm amazed. Brent was looking fast at JPL the day before, but nothing like this. Beer power!!! Anyway, through the mid section Bruce Brewington is doing cone detail. As I get to him he says to me that this section is the key to the entire course. He says all the fast guys are following a different line. I listen, look at the course, and visually do the run, shake my head and continue up the hill. Everyone completes their first runs and I think it was something like Kosick 1st, Chicken 2nd, Carrasco 3rd, O'shei was right in there too and I was something like 4th or 5th.
My second run finally came. I take 2 big pushes and 1 as hard as I can. I figured, Chicken pushed in bug, why couldn't I? I launch myself into the course. I round the three cones before the rough patch and prepare for it, get low and keep my weight over my wheels.....no slide, no nuthin'...my board ran true, I almost couldn't believe it. I came into the middle section where Bruce was standing and drew a way tighter line than I did in my first run. As I saw the end of the stagger section approaching, I tried to set up for and really round cone. I set up for it, rounded it at speed and came into the bottom section. I set up so well, I missed every cone on that run and ran fast enough to win.
So, thanks to the advice of two friends, observing my fellow skaters.....and being LUCKY, I won the GS by a very slim margin.
What a day......thanks Steve and Bruce, I couldn't have done it without you.
|
|
|
|
|
Lotsa!?!?!?!
|
|
On 7/23/2003
mike maysey
wrote in from
(65.234.nnn.nnn)
1)For tight slalom is there a minimum length for a board, I noticed alot of you guys had small boards, what is the smallest I should go, for my size, does the size of my feet matter I'm a 12US in shoes?
I wouldn't say there's a minimum board length. If you can skate it, go for it. There is probably a general wheelbase length. Example, I was riding a board with 21" inner hole to inner hole measurement. I also have a board that has 18" inner hole to inner hole that I use for tight. The course at WLAC was one I wouldn't necessarily call tight because I wasn't using TS equipment. The size of your foot doesn't matter, I think you might just want to find a board that's a little wider or turn your feet so they're pointed more toward the nose of your board.
2) Front trucks Does anyone make trucks that are smaller than 101's? Can I have my RaceTrackX Trackers cut down to the size of my 101 TTC turner truck? I have some mint condition Halftracks without the bushings can I use these or are they too small. Can I use my small halftracks in the front and my Turner in the rear?
Some people use narrower trucks in front. Kenny was using a Radikal in Breck that was cut down however I don't know what it was cut down to. Your half tracks might be a little narrow for your current ability level. But hang onto them. As you progress, you may want to use the trucks for tight courses. Your half tracks in the front will work fine with the TTC, but as I say, you will probably want to stick with standard truck widths until you up your level of skating. Personally, I never use trucks narrower than the standard RTX or RTS and TTC or RTS Offset.
3) King pin angles is there a minimum standard for slalom for the rear and front Kingpins And what about riser wedges Attila gave me a half 1/8 riser for the front why should the Tracker RaceTrack X need wedges?I can see risers for wheel clearance due to my size but to increase to the pivot angle?
Good question, I use RTX and TTC on my fullnose and my new hybrid board. Maybe it's a habit, I don't know. I have both trucks wedged forward. I like to add more steering in the front and take it away in the back. I've tried to use flat risers on the rear of my boards, but the back end seems to want to overtake the front in some situations. I'm still experimenting with wedges.....anyone else care to jump in on this one?
4)Bushings I was Running Tracker Stims(Hard)and a Indy Hard in the rear TTC Truck. For the Front Tracker truck Richie told me to switch out the front bushing so I put in a Tacker Hour glass Bushing in the front and Indy Hard? Any thoughts or comments?
Basically, I would go with softer bushings up front and harder bushings in the rear. Run your front truck looser than the back truck. Tighter rear truck will help do away with wobs at speed and the looser front truck will help you turn.
|
|
|
|
|
Sorry...I'll tell it later tonite...I need to eat dinner right now
|
|
On 7/22/2003
mike maysey
wrote in from
(67.192.nnn.nnn)
hehehehe
|
|
|
|
|
TYT
|
|
On 7/22/2003 notoLsOn
wrote in from
(65.83.nnn.nnn)
tighten your trucks?
|
|
|
|
|
Well?????
|
|
On 7/22/2003 TK
wrote in from
(66.30.nnn.nnn)
for christs sake mike tell the story.
|
|
|
|
|
Coach Olson
|
|
On 7/22/2003 Ed Economy
wrote in from
(4.62.nnn.nnn)
Hey Mike how are going to break the news to PD that Olson is your new coach! Three magic words TYT. That was pretty damm slick.
|
|
|
|
|
Lotsa!!??!?
|
|
On 7/22/2003
mike maysey
wrote in from
(63.110.nnn.nnn)
Hey Moondoggie, I'll pick up your thread later this afternoon. I also have a story about the GS I want to tell. Stay tuned...
|
|
|
|
|
Lotsa?????!!!!
|
|
On 7/22/2003
MoonDoggie
wrote in from
(199.123.nnn.nnn)
Okay guys I got lots questions, I need some pointers, advice or Comments.
1)For tight slalom is there a minimum length for a board, I noticed alot of you guys had small boards, what is the smallest I should go, for my size, does the size of my feet matter I'm a 12US in shoes?
2) Front trucks Does anyone make trucks that are smaller than 101's? Can I have my RaceTrackX Trackers cut down to the size of my 101 TTC turner truck? I have some mint condition Halftracks without the bushings can I use these or are they too small. Can I use my small halftracks in the front and my Turner in the rear?
3) King pin angles is there a minimum standard for slalom for the rear and front Kingpins And what about riser wedges Attila gave me a half 1/8 riser for the front why should the Tracker RaceTrack X need wedges?I can see risers for wheel clearance due to my size but to increase to the pivot angle?
4)Bushings I was Running Tracker Stims(Hard)and a Indy Hard in the rear TTC Truck. For the Front Tracker truck Richie told me to switch out the front bushing so I put in a Tacker Hour glass Bushing in the front and Indy Hard? Any thoughts or comments?
Maybe the nextime I'll only Knock down 15 cones ;^ :) ;C ;)
Peace
MoonDoggie
|
|
|
|
|
those arms
|
|
On 7/22/2003 JG
wrote in from
(207.172.nnn.nnn)
Piercy also used his lats for stability- though not power in the Freewheeling movie by Scott D.
|
|
|
|
|
Vesatility is the key- soak it up.
|
|
On 7/22/2003 JG
wrote in from
(207.172.nnn.nnn)
MM at high speed (over 4cps)- its all LATs. I borrowed it- now it's mine. I like it.
|
|
|
|
|
WLAC Photo's ........
|
|
On 7/22/2003
Rene' "Cannonball" Carrasco
wrote in from
(66.81.nnn.nnn)
Mike,
....great racing against you at WLAC in the
Tight and Giant Slalom events.
You have a unique G.S. style - no wasted moves,
very efficient !
Thanks for coming out to WLAC...you should come on back !
I have a web page up with photo's from Sun. WLAC Race -
June 20 2003 ........
maybe your readers would like to check it out -
go to - http://www.geocities.com/renecarrasco/WLAC_2.html
......... - Rene' "Cannonball" Carrasco. VIVA WLAC !
|
|
|
|
|
jul 19 & 20
|
|
On 7/21/2003 Hamm
wrote in from
(63.175.nnn.nnn)
Mike, I had a great time this weekend, thanks for coming down!
Your GS run @ WLAC was AWESOME! Congrats!
|
|
|
|
|
Me Watch
|
|
On 7/21/2003
mike maysey
wrote in from
(67.192.nnn.nnn)
Ed, I don't have your email addy. Send me a message and I'll respond with my home addy. Thanks, I was going to ask you about that before long.
|
|
|
|
|
Your Watch ?
|
|
On 7/21/2003 Ed Economy
wrote in from
(4.62.nnn.nnn)
Hey Mike,
Email me your shipping address my wife found your watch. I know it is not Bruce Brewingtons because it's not solid gold!!!
|
|
|
|
|
Practice in SC
|
|
On 7/19/2003 Judi
wrote in from
(63.249.nnn.nnn)
Mike we finally saw your chalk message, from Mr. Dunn, Sherman and yourself this morning. We hadn't noticed the last few practices since we start in the parking lot on the left. Little training on our hill, huh?
|
|
|
|
|
MM Style
|
|
On 7/18/2003 tk
wrote in from
(66.30.nnn.nnn)
I'll agree, not mirror. Similarities definatly. TK
|
|
|
|
|
