Wednesday How to Tip - Tips from a PRO! 
by Mike Fraser
07 July 2004

Have you ever wished you could have some one on one time with a pro level rider? Ever wonder what insights they could provide? Well, read on...AtlanticMX's very own Roddy MacLeod provides insights and tips from his racing career and how he became one of the regions top riders.

Mike Fraser:
Hey Roddy, how is it going?

Roddy:
Great Mike, how are you doing? Tired of working on the site yet?

Mike Fraser :
I am doing great. The site is fun. I like working on it, but it is definitely more time consuming than I thought. I don't know how you did it for so long on your own

Today, I'd like to do something a little different for the Wednesday how to tip. I would like to hear the perspective from one of the top pros in Atlantic Canada.

Roddy :
"Used to be a Pro"!

Mike Fraser :
You're still faster than most, even if you have been retired for a while. LOL.
Let's give a little history for those who don't know your history in racing.
How old were you when you first started racing?

Roddy :
14 years old, so I was a little late getting started

Mike Fraser :
Starting at the ripe old age of 14, how long did it take for you to become a PRO class racer.

Roddy :
I started racing in 1985 and turned Pro in 1989, so four years in all.

Mike Fraser :
WOW! That is a fast pace to climb the ranks. How did you excel that quickly? Did you have a natural talent for riding or was it more hard work and determination?

Roddy :
Well, in those days the competition was not as stiff as it is today. We had few riders in all. Some races in the early nineties we struggled to get one hundred riders to the events. Today we're getting more than 300! Big difference. Other than that, I rode every day nearly. Especially when I was on 80's. Then when I went to Junior I started riding with a guy who was racing Pro (Danny Fahie).

Danny had been to Gary Bailey's riding school in Virginia and helped me tremendously with technique and bike setup.

Other than that, my parents were behind me 100%. Without them footing the bills for MX, I never would have gotten anywhere.

Mike Fraser :
Yeah, it's great to have parents that are supportive and willing to see you make it to the top.
So Danny was pretty fast? How would you compare him to the likes of Ryan Lockhart or Mitch Cooke of today?

Roddy :
No, he was not that fast. None of us were. The only person in the Atlantic who could ever be compared with Mitch and Ryan would be Glen Hoar. Glen was national number 5 in 1988 or 1989. He was the only Atlantic Canadian to ever win a National moto until Ryan did it again last year at Deschambault. I remember him beating Ross Pedereson straight up in the 125 class at Riverglade in, I think, 1987.

Mike Fraser :
That must have been exciting to finally see someone from the Atlantic region do so well. It seems now there are quite a number of very fast riders in Atlantic Canada. Davey Fraser, Nathan Slater, Johnny Montes, Mitch Cooke, Ryan Lockhart, Charlie Smith, and Kyle Ledwidge just to name a few.

Roddy :
Yes, I would almost put Johnny into that select category with Mitch, Ryan and Glen Hoar.
Maybe this year we'll really see what he can do.

Mike Fraser :
Yeah, Johnny is a force to be reckoned with out on the track. You can't make mistakes when he is out there. He is doing very well this year.


Mike Fraser :
You made it to Pro in a short time span. Let's get some advice from you on issues I know riders would like a Pro's perspective on.

You mentioned that you rode everyday. I know nothing replaces seat time. But there has to be more to it than that. For those who want to excel in racing, how important is it to get some lessons from PRO racers?

Roddy :
My advice on this topic is simple: ride with people who are faster than you. Simple as that. And, when you find your riding is not progressing as fast as you like, find some new (faster) riding partners. You have to be firm on this point. The local riding buddies at the pit might be easy to impress, but riding with them won't make you any faster. You need to practice with people who are faster than you.

Cross training helps (weights, running, cycling, etc) but nothing helps as much as riding your bike as much as possible. Make sure you ride at least 2-4 times a week during racing season. Not less than twice a week for sure. Otherwise you will never progress.

And this applies to Pro riders too!

Mike Fraser :
When you were out riding, would you just ride around the track/riding area as fast as you could trying to keep up and/or pass the other faster riders, or would you break your riding down into chunks and practice certain aspects of riding?

Roddy :
Both.

It is important to do laps and simulate motos. This is good for conditioning and, when you do it with faster riders, you learn how they are doing obstacles (compared to you) and pushes you to go faster than you normally would. Your natural competitiveness kicks in and you try harder when faster riders are around.

Play riding is important too!

But, it should be play riding that challeneges your skills... not just doing the same wheelies over and over down the gravel road.

Try hill climbing hills which should not be climbed! Go trail riding with people who are fast in the woods. Practice brakies, slow wheelies, etc. Always challenge your riding skills with things/obstacles you think you can't do. You will be surprised what you and your bike can do when you try!

Here's a good example...

A few years ago Charlie Smith and I were riding together. He had his 80cc and I was riding my 250. I was driving my 250 up this very steep, but short hill which looked very initimidating. Charlie didn't want to do it, but later on he tried it and was able to jump it just fine. In the end he gained some more confidence in his riding and his bike because of it.

Riders should push themselves in this way in order to progress with their riding, confidence and skill level.

Mike Fraser :
So developing confidence comes from breaking through mental barriers. They say that everything has to be done for the first time and the first time is always the hardest.

How did you deal with mental blocks like FEAR when coming up to a big jump that you had never done before? I know a lot of racers have problems overcoming fear, myself included. Did you just "Go for it"? Or was it more "If he can do it, then I can do it"?

Roddy :
That's the key to riding with faster riders Mike!

Because they are doing it, you will too (when you're ready)... the peer pressure creates progression.

But, and this is important.... because they are faster (and know what they are doing) you have a clear example of HOW to do thee obstacle. Guts without skill is just suicide!

Mike Fraser :
That is great advice! I like that "Guts without skill is suicide". I see amature riders that are fast but really slow down on obstacles that they should be able to manage. There comes a point when you just have to "Just Go for it."

Roddy :
Yes, but hopefully when you see other riders who know what they are doing you can emulate their actions.

Mike Fraser :
I know there are a million aspects to developing skills in riding, time and practice mainly. Are there any other final pointers that jump out at you that you would like to pass on? It's not everyday that people are able to get advice from a PRO and get inside their head.

Roddy :
Well, line selection is a big difference between amateurs and pros. Amateurs tend to follow each other around the track in single file. Top, expereienced pros never follow each other (unless the track is COMPLETELY one lined). Never follow someone else's lines around the track. Always take a different line through corners, etc. You never know when he/she will crash in front of you, miss a shift, etc. When they do mess something up and you are following them - you have to slow down to avoid hitting them. It's too late to change lines when the rut you are in is 12" deep!

Take a different line through the corners especially. That way when the rider in front of you messes up, you have just made the easiest pass of the day.

Sounds simple enough, but watch the next Junior moto and see all the riders following each other. It's almost comical.

Same thing applies to jumps.

Mike Fraser :
So don't follow directly behind someone on a jump?

Roddy :
Never! What is he/she swaps out after leaving the jump face? Now you are about to land behind someone who stands a good chance of crashing. You might crash into them also.

Mike Fraser :
I did that last week at the Wednesday night moto and this guy crashed on the landing and I landed right on his bike. But with my Kung Fu, Ninja quick, cat-like reactions, I was able to stay upright. hahaha (kidding)

Actually I was just lucky I didn't wipe out and go over the bars.

Roddy :
Whatever! You were lucky Mike!

LOL

Roddy :
Take the same scenario only this time you are NOT following their line. They swap over the jump, land wrong and lose momentum. What effect does it have on you? None. You just drive on by them because they have lost their momentum. Easy pass.

Roddy :
One more thing on line selection if I can....

Mike Fraser :
Sure

Roddy :
Walk the track on Sunday morning. Better yet, walk the track with an Intermediate or Pro rider. Ask one of them, they will be happy to take you around the track and point out their lines. When they do, ask them WHY they take that line... their answers will be helpful and make it easier for you to go faster.

Mike Fraser :
Roddy, I gotta say, these are fantastic insights. I almost don't want to post these for everyone to read, I need the edge. LOL
I know a lot of the competitors out there are going to find this information very insightful and useful.

Roddy :
I hope so! Nobody gets faster without some else's help.

Mike Fraser :
One last thing if I may?


Roddy :
Of course

Mike Fraser :
You are living over in Germany, pretty much the center of Europe. For those of you who don't know, Roddy is an amazing photographer! You are able to attend the European GP motocross events. You should start a European Section in the Media Gallery here on AtlanticMX. I have seen your pics and I know they would be appreciated by everyone over here to get to see some of the top racers in the world.

Roddy :
Yeah, we could do something like that. When I was younger I always thought the pics of the GP races in Europe were somehow more interesting than the photos of AMA nationals, etc. It's nice to have the opportunity to take photos of these races now.

Mike Fraser :
The Europeans have some pretty amazing tracks and riders over there. Stephan Everts is one of my favorite riders.

Roddy :
Mike, he is so smooth, you would not believe your eyes!

It looks like he is just trail riding around the track. He looks considerably slower than the other rides. Even when he's passing them! LOL

Mike Fraser :
I know, I have watched him on the internet and in videos. He is the definition of "FLOW".

Mike Fraser :
When are you going to be back home? Will you be here this fall to attend any of the races? I have a couple shirts here for you.

Roddy :
Hey, an AMX t-shirt would be really nice! LOL. I might be around in the fall, we'll have to see. I am planning to be in Nova Scotia in September or October, so I am sure we can coordinate something.

Mike Fraser :
Cool. That would be great. Hopefully it won't be when I am Las Vegas. Otherwise you're on AMX Tent duty! LOL

Well, I don't want to take up too much more of your day. Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview. I know that everyone will appreciate it. We all look forward to seeing you soon.

Roddy :
Thank you Mike, and thanks also for all your help on this site! Many people have told me you are doing a great job, so congratulations.

Mike Fraser :
Thanks man. It's a blast! I like to be involved with the community and the sport. The people in this sport here locally are some of the most accommodating and friendliest people I have ever met. It's so nice to be back on the East Coast.

Roddy :
Yes, it's a great group. Cheers!

Mike Fraser :
Ciao!