|
|
|
| Q&A: Slalom Pro Mike Maysey (2489 Posts)
|
| Topic |
Info |
|
Gilmour...long time no see
|
|
On 10/3/2005
mike maysey
wrote in from
United States
(66.214.nnn.nnn)
'Why has Hybrid essentially replaced TS?'
First off I want to make one thing clear...and this is my opinion of course...and it stinks, but...
TS IS SLALOM. All other disciplines are secondary...my TS skills have made my GS and HS skills way more precise.
As for why HS has replaced TS, in the US anyway, I think the answer is simple.
As Steve said, '...most skaters practice Hybrid because it's easier and more fun to learn.' Having restated that, I would add, anyone who can skate, can get on a board and run HS or GS and probably run it pretty well...but get them in front of a TS course and they whine and complain. 'It's too hard', 'it's gay,' whatever. You know what that is, lack of preparation. In my opinion, you should be able to run anything and everything. I have setups that are dedicated to one...MAYBE two disciplines.
The remedy I think is simple, go skate actual TS. Don't fool yourself into thinking you're running TS with 8' cones. Run courses in the 5.5-6.5 range, dial in your technique, dial in a board that's dedicated to TS, set many many different courses, don't worry about the speed you run them. Do be concerned with cone counts. Get the cone count to 0-2 in a 40-50 cone course and you're doing well.
I know race promoters, as Steve said, want to make the sport look better with less cone carnage, but for people like Steve and myself who run actual TS...these courses are well....yawn. Don't get me wrong, this is not a bad thing.
Think of it like this, and this is something I tell people all the time. Run courses that you're sure are harder than anything you're likely to run into in a race. That way when you get to the race and see the course, you'll laugh at it. You'll be better prepared than the guy whose complaining about the course being too tight. That's what I did this year at the Worlds. I didn't really laugh, I guess laugh is a strong word...lemme put it this way. If I were back in college, taking a tough class, do you think if I waited until the night before the test to cram, I would get the highest score? Same idea goes for TS. Essentially, you better do your TS homework or you're gonna fail....and flail.
For me, there's nothing more rewarding in slalom than running a true TS course as fast as I can, coming out of the course and looking back to see all the cones still standing where they were set. It tells me that all the time put into setting courses, dialing gear, dialing technique and time on the board have paid off.
Mike Maysey
"House of High Speed"
|
|
|
|
|
truck width and stuff
|
|
On 10/3/2005
mike maysey
wrote in from
United States
(66.214.nnn.nnn)
Brad,
As far as setting up your board, again...I would go with a truck and wheel combo that allows the wheel to sit even with the edge of the board or slightly wider. I don't know specific measurements as I never measure anything, I just eyeball it initially then go off of the 'feel' of the board. On that note of 'feel', I would not suggest any specific foot placement. I would simply try some different stances and foot placements until I found something that works for me...which is exactly what I did when I started riding Skaterbuilt decks. You'll find the spots, just give it time.
|
|
|
|
|
Oh ya...
|
|
On 10/2/2005
Miko
wrote in from
United States
(69.85.nnn.nnn)
I already posted right after the results hit the web, but Mike... this was too long in coming and YOU DESERVE IT BRO! I would have loved to been around for the Pump Station and Worlds just to see you smoke. Congratulations Mike!
|
|
|
|
|
Tight? I'm in...
|
|
On 10/2/2005
Miko
wrote in from
United States
(69.85.nnn.nnn)
Good god... just when I had completely given up on ever finding weekend time to ride, I now have most saturdays open until around 10:30am... meaning I can make it to an MJ ts sesh! Still don't have my deck from Rick Howell, but that's probably coming soon. So maybe plan on doing something in a couple weeks? I'll call...
|
|
|
|
|
tighter is better
|
|
On 10/2/2005
Mark Johnson
wrote in from
United States
(68.121.nnn.nnn)
Thank you for the hard truth!
The tighter the better, how hard is that to figure out?
that goes for for slalom also.
|
|
|
|
|
TS
|
|
On 10/2/2005
Evans
wrote in from
United States
(66.214.nnn.nnn)
Hey, Gilmour, nice hearing your slaloming again!
Mike and I ran TS drill courses for 3hrs today with some students (5.5' and 6.5' offsets).
The reason there's no TS is because only a few US racers practice true TS and Race Promoters won't set a real TS course, they set Hybrids and call it TS so that's what the masses think is a TS is.
Then they only practice Hybrid thinking it's TS and when they go to a race with a real TS course they freak, hit cones everywhere and bitch about the course being to hard....... waaaaaaah!
Most skaters practice Hybrid because it's easier and more fun to learn. TS takes time and patience get properly trained and most people get frustated when their popcorning all the cones and go back to Hybrid.
There just aren't any proper coaches or enough Grass Roots TS races with a couple good TS Racers to get the Pro and Open cats up to speed on TS.
Gilmour should we start some Outlaw TS Races out here this Winter/Spring in sunny So Cal to get the learning curve going?
Evans (SSS) Badlands and Team "The House of High Speed"
|
|
|
|
|
hybrid
|
|
On 10/2/2005
John Gilmour
wrote in from
United States
(209.6.nnn.nnn)
Why has Hybrid essentially replaced TS?
Mike- you are a fast TS guy..but there are only a handful of TS races.
|
|
|
|
|
Hybrid Setup - one more question
|
|
On 9/30/2005
brad
wrote in from
United States
(216.233.nnn.nnn)
Mike,
Will I have stability problems in a hybrid race, if I use Midtracks which are 85mm and if I do use Mids, what length rear would you choose? Earlier, you said you liked the wheel to wheel width to be a little wider than the trucks. This would give me about 9" for GS and 7" for the CK Hybrid. Does this sound right?
I assume your idea is that in the hybrid, I need what I am used to for the tighter gates, which is probably true.
The hybrid in Nov will have some speed to it, so I want to ensure I have a stable setup for the GS part of the Hybrid.
Also, do you have a suggested foot placement on the Cone Killers? I looked at your foot placement in the Breck finals video and on a few stills, but am still making minor foot placement decisions to maximize my control and ability to turn.
It's funny (not ha ha funny) that as a beginner equivalent to skiing on the bunny slope, after studying many slalom videos, I looked at the Breck finals video with Barker, and could see that you were just better than what I had seen, although I haven't seen some Europeans and no good videos of Jason, and then all (well a lot of) the great pros chimed in with the same observation. I think this says something about good technique.
|
|
|
|
|
brad
|
|
On 9/30/2005
mike maysey
wrote in from
(72.129.nnn.nnn)
no worries Brad...if you or anyone reading this has any other questions regarding any of this conversation, by all means, chime in. Or any other question for that matter. That's what I'm here for...
|
|
|
|
|
Brad's questions
|
|
On 9/29/2005 brad
wrote in from
United States
(155.229.nnn.nnn)
Mike,
Thanks for the suggestions on setting up the Hybrid, which was a hard decision for me, incorporating TS turns while being able to turn at speed.
The note on running clean is particularly helpful, and I hope helpful to others who are learning and reading this forum. I have gone back and forth on this question, as the best result is different in different disciplines. going back and forth just confused my practice and I thought learning to go fast with countless downed cones was the way to go, whereby I could just learn to run cleaner at speed, but only yesterday cut down the number of cones and worked to run clean on every run, stabilizing the technique that results in clean runs, and this was much more satisfying.
Yes, your advice makes all the sense in the world (an old-school saying), since I want my technique to strong and consistent.
|
|
|
|
|
Brad
|
|
On 9/28/2005
mike maysey
wrote in from
United States
(66.214.nnn.nnn)
...'setting up the CK Hybrid?'
Since you are riding Mids on your TS board, I would suggest using a Mid in front and maybe a Mid offset or SplitFire rear. Basically, I think of my hybrid board as needing to turn as fast as my TS board, but remaining solid enough to jam a turn on like I can on my GS board.
what you do to increase your speed of your body movements?
That's a good one...I'm not too sure. Other than of course, just time in the saddle. By that I simply mean, time riding TS. The more you do it the better you get and the faster you get. The key to TS, in my opinion, is running clean. Worry about speed later. Work on accuracy that's what will get you heading in the right direction with regard to moving quickly.
what are your thoughts on double wedging for TS?
If by double wedging you mean using two angled risers together to get a steeper angle, I say go for it. I wedge my front truck up 15 degrees and have done that since long before I rode Radikals. Remember, the quicker the turn the quicker you can go.
Hopefully this makes sense...
Late, M
|
|
|
|
|
Worlds
|
|
On 9/28/2005
mike maysey
wrote in from
United States
(67.49.nnn.nnn)
Thank you all for your kind words. It's really been a weird feeling actually pulling off such a win. I always thought I could do it, but it was always just out of reach. Cliff, you are too kind. It's a privledge for me to be able to say you're a friend. ToddC, I remember the first time I met you, in Donner. Thanks for the words man. When are we gonna skate together again? Kenny, thanks for the praise. I respect you as one of the best all around skaters I know. You are the man. Fluitt, thanks for always treating me like you'd known me for years, even within the second Jack introduced us. Martin, yeah you did tell me that, but you know it's always hard to see things like that especially when a World Championship is on the line. Thanks for always being my friend.
It's been real and it's been fun but it hasn't been real fun...NOT
|
|
|
|
|
bye mikey
|
|
On 9/27/2005
MISS KITTY
wrote in from
United States
(69.69.nnn.nnn)
Hey Mikey,
Just wanted to say thanks for everything. You've been a good friend.
call me 561-436-7044. Love you.
Miss Kitty
|
|
|
|
|
You rule Mike!
|
|
On 9/24/2005
Martin
wrote in from
United States
(204.228.nnn.nnn)
Didn't I say how unbeatable you looked during the qualifying? You were head and shoulders above everyone last weekend.
My wife paid me the ultimate compliment while looking at footage of you last year and said I rode a little like you!I WISH!
Congrats again, as Fluitt said it was lond overdue!
Martin.
Ex-Turner team mate and always a fan.
|
|
|
|
|
Finally
|
|
On 9/23/2005
fluitt
wrote in from
United States
(192.18.nnn.nnn)
Mike,
Paul Dunn and I were up in the timing booth on your final run. You were up by 1.3, a big phat margin, but not enough to allow for a DQ. I was thinking "whatever you do, don't choke here", and of course you didn't. You raced smart, let Jason have the heat, but not by enough to get concerned. Soon as you crossed the finish line and it was clear that you won, Dennis announced it, PD and I look at each other and simultaneously said "FINALLY"! It highlights how many of us felt these past couple of years. We all thought that you would be THE guy to beat after Battle By the Bay in the Cro-Magnon years of slalom. Then you did well at La Costa. I thought it would be a dynasty. But the Worlds had eluded you for a long time. When you came back last year and didn't make the A class at La Costa I thought maybe it was over. Then you got under the tutelage of Professor Evans and I knew it was just a matter of time till you won the big one.
Good job bro. Glad to see you finally win in Morro Bay. You well deserved it.
What's next?
|
|
|
|
|
Nice work Champ.
|
|
On 9/23/2005 Kenny
wrote in from
United States
(68.252.nnn.nnn)
Mike-
Great job at the Worlds !!!!! I knew you could do it and I was happy for you that the Family was on hand to see your shining moment. I will email some pics to Skaterbuilt for you to do whatever you want. Great job. I predicted you to take the whole thing. Next year.
Kenny
|
|
|
|
|
double wedging
|
|
On 9/23/2005 brad
wrote in from
United States
(216.233.nnn.nnn)
Mike,
one more question:
what are your thoughts on double wedging for TS?
|
|
|
|
|
TS & GS setup
|
|
On 9/22/2005
brad
wrote in from
United States
(155.229.nnn.nnn)
Mike,
1st Congratulations! again. u the champ! after i ordered my TS ConeKiller, i spoke to dave and told him i bought them because u were the best and u went right ahead and proved me right i set my TS board (my first real TS board and setup) sunday morning and you took the championship sunday afternoon
-------------------
some setup questions that i hope will help others besides myself
I have just setup my TS and GS ConeKillers
TS CK at 17" WB, midtracks with white Khiros in front and Green stim on rear and hardish Khiro on bottom rear with 4 Avalon 78s.
GS CK at 23" WB, Split-Fire spaced to 117 (7") in front with blue Khiros and Tracker RTS 129 in rear with red Khiros, and Manx 84 in front and 80 in rear
how does this sound to you and wondering about the wheels since i have read conflicting comments regarding using 4 low duro wheels vs low duro in rear and slightly higher duro in front.
also, i will be ordering the CK Hybrid which i hope to race in NC in Nov, since my Roe Unlimited was run over and the Coughin Cut doesn't work for me, so am wondering about your thoughts for setting up the CK Hybrid
also a practice question i remember u talked about your practicing and am wondering, if it is not a secret, what you do to increase your speed of your body movements.
|
|
|
|
|
maysey/cliff
|
|
On 9/21/2005 toddc
wrote in from
United States
(68.123.nnn.nnn)
Good to hear someone with some history chipping in on the current state of things. I thought Chaput was fast until I saw Gilmour, then Cross then Luca...sounds like Cliff is saying that Mike is their equal and that the sport is at its absolute peak.
Would have been nice to have a few more Euros or others in attendance, but it sounds like the slalom is still growing and getting better - congrats to all!
|
|
|
|
|
What a show!
|
|
On 9/21/2005
Cliff Coleman
wrote in from
United States
(68.127.nnn.nnn)
Mike,
Your skate runs in the Tight Slaom were pure poetry! I've seen racers for five decades and never has it been so fun to watch. i feel blessed when I can say that I was there when Maysey took them all down and won the World title. if anyone has a video of your runs from the back or what would be the starting line, check it out. Your legs/ankles were moving so fast that it seemed impossible. Steve Evans, I'm truly sorry that you couldn't be there to clebrate with your student. you did a fantastic job coaching Mike!
Do it again Mike,
Cliff Coleman
|
|
|
|
|
thank you everyone
|
|
On 9/21/2005
mike maysey
wrote in from
United States
(66.214.nnn.nnn)
Thanks very much to all my well wishers...I've not been in front of a computer since the race...back in the car driving back to the LBC. Talk to you all soon!
|
|
|
|
|
Worlds
|
|
On 9/20/2005 Judi O
wrote in from
United States
(69.111.nnn.nnn)
Congrats Mike!
I told your dad's friend that you could win it. I was right.
Practice it does pay off.
Steve Evans we missed you as well as Miko and many others.
|
|
|
|
|
05 TS Champion
|
|
On 9/19/2005
ur13
wrote in from
(69.121.nnn.nnn)
Way to go Maysey!!!!!!!
|
|
|
|
|
2005 worlds
|
|
On 9/19/2005 Ethan
wrote in from
United States
(65.60.nnn.nnn)
way to go brother!!!
|
|
|
|
|
wc bling
|
|
On 9/19/2005 sully
wrote in from
United States
(67.123.nnn.nnn)
..looks like the spinners helped alot. way to go!
|
|
|
|
|
