Fomba Log Roll help

[JackRabbit]

Not sure if this is the right area of the forum, but...I've been riding fomba for a few years and love it. I'm ok on a lot of the technical features of the trails, but I always bail out of trying the log roll at the end of red pine. I'm assuming you just keep your weight back way over the back of your saddle and go for it. I'd like to give it a shot; just trying to get the guts to do it.

[ridefaster]

Not bad at all. Go into it slow, don't brake too much and lean back a bit.

[JackRabbit]

Thanks for the confidence, ridefaster. I'll try and psych myself up.

[agabriel]

You may also want to quickly compress your front end before you get there (so it can uncompress as it hits the log) and lean back - it will take more weight off the front end.

[JackRabbit]

Are you guys actually "off the saddle and in back of your seat" when you ride it, or do you just lean back? I'm a 5'6, 130 lb female...just wondering if I physically have to get behind my seat, or if just "leaning back" and keeping my weight in back is enough. Thanks--just don't want to lose my teeth! :)

[agabriel]

Typically I stay back for the front wheel, I don't think I really get behind the seat for the most part. Then I try to get forward a bit for the rear wheel.

I would suggest you try to start small... How big is the log your trying to get over?

[ridefaster]

There is no need to lean back too much. Just stand up and slightly push your butt back. Part of weight distribution also depends on what kind of bike you are on.

The roll is fine, but you do seem to pick up some speed. Just be relaxed. Start at the bottom of the small hill before it to make sure you are balanced and clipped in, etc.

People go UP it, so going down shouldn't be too bad, right?

[woodsguy]

No need to lean back too much. Once you do it you will be going back up again and again. It is easy and fun!

You are talking about this (see pic) right?

[Slappy]

There is no need to lean back too much. Just stand up and slightly push your butt back. Part of weight distribution also depends on what kind of bike you are on.

The roll is fine, but you do seem to pick up some speed. Just be relaxed. Start at the bottom of the small hill before it to make sure you are balanced and clipped in, etc.




Good advice, specially the part about staying 'relaxed'. Check out the pic - see how her knees and elbows are nice and loose, not locked out? She's not hanging way back on the bars, just kinda rocked back on her heels a bit. Let the bike swing into that position naturally as you roll over the edge - practice moving yourself around the bike like that while your just riding along and maybe on some smaller rolls 'til you feel comfortable with the motion. Fingers off the brakes until you're down and rolling away; there's plenty of room to slow down when you'reback on flat ground. Sometimes it helps to yell 'WOOHOOOOO!' at the top of your lungs on the way down too.
:rad:

(edited for correct genderization...damn blurry pic...)

[JackRabbit]

No need to lean back too much. Once you do it you will be going back up again and again. It is easy and fun!

You are talking about this (see pic) right?


That's the one! Thanks for the pic--seeing your position helps a lot. I ride a santa cruz superlight (if that makes any difference).
Thanks to everyone for the advice.

[Jisch]

Don't forget to readjust when you get to the bottom, move your weight forward as you roll through the landing zone. Basically you are trying to move your body weight independent of the bike, keeping your weight on top of the bike regardless of what the bike itself is doing. I've seen some people do steep rollers (actually a lot steeper than that roller) and not move their weight forward at the bottom and the bike "squirts out" from under them.

Now I know why my wife hates it when I give her advice, I suck at it!

John

[Baked_Bean]

... Sometimes it helps to yell 'WOOHOOOOO!' at the top of your lungs on the way down too.
:rad:

I'm a noob, but find this to be the best part of the technical 'firsts'! :D

[woodsguy]

That is Badcrumble in that pic (yea its a bit blurred). She was a bit intimidated at first but then immediately went back up several more times because she thought it was so much fun (if you go left at the bottom it loops back up).

[Aging Wannabee]

JackRabbit,
Just Do it. I know that sounds harsh, but overthinking it will make it worse. If you just roll into it your body will do the right thing naturally It's short enough and the transition from vertical to horizontal is curved enough that you don't really have to adjust much and you don't have to think about it at all. I'm just a regularly-skilled biker and I've found that relaxed but ready, in the center of the bike is the best approach. Just make sure you are standing up with pedals at 3 and 9 o'clock, knees and elbows bent and flexible, and let off the brakes until your front wheel start to flatten out.