Alright, so you wanna know about getting through a rhythm section on a dirt bike, huh? Lemme tell ya, it ain’t like what you see the pros do on TV, just floating over those things like they’re not even there. For me, it was a whole different story, a real pain in the backside for a long time.
My First Attempts Were a Joke
I remember the first few times I even tried to hit a rhythm section with any kind of speed. Total disaster. I’d either case the first one so hard my teeth rattled, or I’d get bucked like I was on a rodeo bull. More than once, I ended up eating dirt, just sprawled out wondering what the heck just happened. My buddies would be at the end, probably trying not to laugh too hard. It was frustrating, man. I’d see other guys, not even pros, just regular riders, making it look, well, not easy, but at least doable. And there I was, looking like a total beginner all over again.
Breaking It Down (Eventually)
I almost gave up on ’em, figured I’d just roll through ’em slow and steady forever. But that’s not really my style. So, I decided I had to knuckle down and figure this thing out. I didn’t have a fancy coach or anything. Just me, my bike, and a particularly annoying rhythm section at the local track.
First thing I did was stop trying to blitz the whole thing at once. That was just asking for trouble. I started by just focusing on getting two, maybe three, of the rollers smooth. Like, really smooth. I’d go over them again and again.
- Looking ahead: This was a big one. Sounds simple, but when you’re scared, you stare right at the jump in front of you. Bad idea. I forced myself to look further down the track.
- Throttle control: I learned that the throttle wasn’t just for going fast. It was for keeping the bike level, for pulling the front end up, or pushing it down a bit. Little blips, steady power. Took ages to get a feel for it.
- Body position: Standing up, yeah, but how you stand. Moving my weight around. Not being stiff as a board. That was tough. I was so tense at first.
I spent hours, seriously, just on a small part of the section. I’d do it, mess it up, do it again. Sometimes I’d get it right and not even know why. Then I’d try to repeat it and fail miserably. It was a grind.
That “Aha!” Moment (Sort Of)
There wasn’t one single magic moment where it all clicked. It was more like a bunch of little clicks. I remember one day, I managed to link three rollers together, and I actually felt the bike almost float between them. It wasn’t perfect, not by a long shot, but it was the first time it felt like I was working with the bike instead of fighting it. That was a good feeling, a real good feeling.
After that, I started trying to add one more roller at a time. Sometimes I’d nail it, sometimes I’d go back to my old bad habits. I still ate dirt sometimes, don’t get me wrong. That’s just part of learning, especially in motocross. But it happened less and less on the rhythms.
Where I’m At Now
So now? Yeah, I can get through most rhythm sections pretty decently. I’m not gonna be winning any Supercross races, but I can link ’em up, feel the flow, and actually enjoy them instead of dreading them. It took a lot of practice, a lot of falling, and a whole heap of patience. Mostly patience with myself, because I’m not the most patient guy.
It’s still a challenge, every track is different, every rhythm section has its own personality. But now, instead of fear, it’s more like, “Okay, how am I gonna tackle this one?” It’s kinda fun, in a masochistic sort of way. So yeah, that’s my journey with rhythm sections. Not pretty, but I got there. Or at least, I’m getting there.
