Is it me, or are new tracks getting stupid?

[CaptainObvious]

Peaked doubles do have a place on an expert track. My complaint (or rant if you will) was that they really don't belong on a track that is labeled "intermediate".

To those of you that can safely clear a peaked double, I'm truly impressed. I’m that guy who is watching you with a big smile on my face. For those of us who have lost our nerve (or never had it), an intermediate track should be challenging, but safe.

 

[Wolf]

Dang, Gary, you're getting old! (j/k)
I agree with you 100%. I quit riding tracks because I lost my nerve. Just don't have it in me anymore to try some of this crazy stuff. I miss the GP style high speed, fast turning tracks where you could "float" a jump down hill as far or short as you wanted to, depending on your brass.

 

[truespode]

I'm with Gomer. If you don't feel comfortable don't do it. If the jumps on an Intermediate track intimidate you then you are no longer an Intermediate.

I busted my tail this past weekend and have some good bruises. It was on a table top. A small one. It was completely my fault.

Ivan

 

[Spider]

you know landings are good being steeper i think its smoother to land that way.

 

[mx416]

I think some level of challenge is necessary, otherwise how will you get better? If you screw up on a dangerous double, you will be more likely to get it right next time. There is a much better adrenaline rush if it is more danerous, It think that makes the jump more fun, but that's me.

 

[hoosierf]

Anyone who wants know what happens at a supercross track that is open to the public, do a litte research on Thurston County ORV Park in Washington. Two fatailities in two years. The tracks these days are ridiculous in my opinion. The main reason, as I see it, is that these jump tracks are often poorly maintained. A midwestern MX track generally only gets groomed once every few weeks or just before a race. Some tracks are only groomed on race day, then left to deteriorate until the next race in three weeks to a month. I know the 19 y/o crowd does not like a safer track, but they don't have any concept of the cost these tracks have. If we kill a few 19 y/o kids, the Wisconsin legislature will close our tracks with extreme prejudice. As for the Cali tracks, I bet they're groomed regularly since they have the traffic to cover the cost.

I've taken some private lessons from an aging, but well know pro and he rides a small rutty track that's all second and third gear stuff will very mixed terrain. He told me that in his opinion you cannot ride supercross every day and avoid injuries.

 

[LazyBoy]

...and non-MX is for those without weenies! :p

:laugh: :moon:

 

[MARK IT]

...and non-MX is for those without weenies! :p

:yeehaw:
Never road non-MX before. :nener: :eek:

 

[DPW]

Keep Supercross indoors

 

[Jeff Gilbert]

Keep Supercross indoors

Especially this time of year, I could use the air-conditioner. :laugh:

 

[bedell99]

I love High Lords analogies. I'm against high speed GP tracks with longer easier table tops. Not that I don't like them. I think they are much more dangerous. You will not fall more often, but do to the high speeds when you do, u are screwed. I miss the tracks in the north east. Deep loam, high kicker jumps, Smaller gaps and ruts. There is nothing wrong with not jumping a jump. RV6, what track are you referring to.

Erik

 

[Okiewan]

GP style tracks do not have to be high-speed.

 

[bedell99]

Okie in Colorado they are. Almost all the track out here are wide open pinned 3rd and 4th which although fun can be a bit dangerous when a get off does a occur. i would rather fall on a slow rhythm section and maybe break a wrist than fall at 40 mph and break every bone in my body. Plus i think that jumpy type tracks can be quite safe. It has every thing to do with the landings. Table top landings on doubles are key to safety.

Erik

 

[Moto Squid]

you know landings are good being steeper i think its smoother to land that way.

what he said...i hate big jumps with mellow landings. My favorite jump: the platue at aztalan, that'd be a big jump with a smooth and steep landing :yeehaw:

 

[CaptainObvious]

RV6, what track are you referring to.

Erik

While I started whining after an afternoon at Jack Frost, it's a trend I'm starting to see more.

 

[bedell99]

i thought that was the track you are referring to. RV6, believe it or not all the tracks there are intermediate to begineer tracks. I think most of thier jumps are safe. And it my opinion they are fair to the weekend warriors. I consider that intermediate track in the middle to be very nice to casual rider. 2 years ago I went to NY to race the Kawasaki Race of Champions in Englishtown and went to Jack Frost to practice. I do think it is a rip off. I paid $40 dollars to ride but I think I'm spoiled now that most of the tracks her in CO are $10 to ride all day. Englishtown was the most serious track I have ever raced hands down. Now the defintion of intermediate riders have changed. A racing intermediate is a totally different level then a casual rider who can shift thru the gears. Even a fast racing novice is at a totally different level. RV6 go check out KROC in October and see what defines an intermediate. The guys who place in the top 5 can probably win your local pro race hands down. A racing intermediate and a average guy who has been riding for 10 years who considers himself an intermediate are 2 totally different things.

Erik

 

[CaptainObvious]

Funny, I've ridden Englishtown (two years ago) and I thought that it was a very good track with safe jumps. There weren't any make-it or break-it jumps. Go figure. Maybe they have changed things since I was last there.

And maybe they've changed the tracks at Jack Frost since your last visit. When were you last there? Like I said in my first post, I thought the main track to be the better (safer) of the two tracks. There is only one gapped double. The table tops on that track rock.

Or maybe I just couldn't find the rhythm of the middle track at Jack Frost. To be fair, I'll have to go back on another night.

 

[bedell99]

The main track(to the left) is much safer than the other 2 due to having more table tops. The track in Englishtown is the race track not the practice track. I didn't get to ride the practice track but I did walk during races. That looks like a great track also. Very safe. Like I said big jumps do not have to dangerous. Especially doubles. Everything has to do with the landings. The big thing I notice also with some tracks is they don't groom there faces, especially on the east coast and ruts form going up the face, which is the most dangerous thing that can be on a track.

Erik

 

[CaptainObvious]

Like I said big jumps do not have to dangerous. Especially doubles. Everything has to do with the landings.
Erik

Agreed. Safe landing zones are the key. Lightly sloped landing zones aren't as smooth to land on, but they are safe.

I haven't ridden the practice track at e-town, only the race track.

I'm not against BIG jumps (I like 'em too), I have a problem with unsafe jumps, especially on a practice or intermediate track.