Whoops

[trial_07]

I got a chance to practice whoops Sunday. I felt it went much better than last year, mainly due to the change of bike I think. A friend who is much faster than I am says he does them in 3rd gear while I do them in 2nd. My question is: How can I shift in whoops? Should I shift in 3rd before the whoops (right after the turn)? I was comfortable at the speed I was doing them so I'm looking for tips to getting faster. The whoops were probably 1 foot and 1/2. Here is a video:
<embed width="430" height="389" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://vid105.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid105.photobucket.com/albums/m214/trial_07/MVI_2526.flv"></embed>

The video might not be very helpful, but any input is appreciated.

 

[HubertGarfunkleIII]

your not going to be able to shift during whoops. pop it into 3rd before you hit them. And actually you want to try in stay in 3rd gear most of the time on tracks. it will make you faster, if you can keep your rpms high and shoot through a corner in 3rd you come out of it faster than going through the corner in 2nd and that shooting out and having to upshift to 3rd. especially if its kinda choppy.

 

[trial_07]

Ok that's what I was thinking. I'll try to carry more momentum when entering a curve.

 

[Okiewan]

Bottom line...

Get back on the bike as far as you can and be in a gear that will keep the power-up ALL the way thru the whoop section. If the bike falls off the pipe part way thru, you are screwed.

 

[trial_07]

Thanks Okie! I didn't know I should be back on the bike, I'll try that next week-end and see how it goes.

 

[SpeedyManiac]

Nice form trial. I'd just try upshifting to 3rd before the whoops and going with it.