Bones Over Metal Freeride and Downhill Video Blog

Simon Lawton hired me to produce Fluidride: Like A Pro. Through this collaboration, I got to know Simon as a man with many “irons in the fire.” He’s a consummate pro rider, a shop owner, and a pro instructor. Even after spending the time with him to learn his ways while producing his DVD, I knew there were a lot of things that I still wanted to ask him. The following interview his born of respect and knowing that there is a ton more I can learn from Simon.

Simon, what is your definition of fast?
Being comfortable using the power of the hill to give you speed. This requires the confidence that comes with absolute control.

What aspect of riding do most racers overlook?
The least intimidating or seemingly easy sections of the course where valuable time can be made. Sometimes people also break the course into too many sections for practice reasons which is good, but then forget to look at the course as one long sequence of moves during their race run, which can cost valuable time on the more transitional sections. I call this Tempo. Tempo is often overlooked. You may be smoking fast through some of the gnarly sections, but unless your overall tempo is in check, your times will reflect that.

Do you consider yourself an instructor or a coach?
I consider myself more of an instructor. With enough use of my help as an instructor, riders start being able to coach themselves. I have had more formal coaching opportunities with pro and amateur riders, which involved physical, mental and technical training. Now I really just work with the mental and technical sides. I rely on riders to work on their own fitness, or to find a good physical trainer of their own. There are already lots of great fitness trainers out there. I’ve used some of them, and they can really help you with your motor.

Learn more about Fluidride’s Camps and Clinics

“Fluidride: Like A Pro” is on the market how does this DVD augment your personal instruction?
Surprisingly well. I really like it when students have seen the video prior to a session, so they are familiar with my vocabulary and basic concepts. I also like it when a student who hasn’t seen the movie gets enough out of a session to want to buy the video. That was a big project, so I’m just glad to see it out there, and glad people are coming away with some nuggets of information to help their riding. Feedback has been great so far.

You use video and timing devices in your race camps. How does the use of these technologies help a racer become faster?
You can really see yourself in terms of position and line choice with the help of the helmet camera. The use of the follow cam also allows me to help other instructors with analysis of a rider they may be working with. Timing is interesting for sure. Like I mentioned before, tempo is important. It’s actually surprising how close times can be on full effort runs to those taken smoothly and just relying on the hill for speed. The trick is to find the right combination of effort and flow for the shortest time down the track on race day. It’s also takes some practice to ride your best while the clock is ticking.

What kind of physical training do you do to make yourself ready for racing?
Not much lately due to work demands, but I do try to be as fit and flexible as possible for racing. My winter training consisted of everything from Motocross (good for strength and speed) to cross country riding (aerobic fitness) to Yoga and Pilates (both offer great functional strength and flexibility benefits). Being strong is great, but over the years, I think I’ve come to the conclusion that moving the best and most effectively and efficiently is the really the secret for DH racing as well as many other sports. Of course moving well takes energy, strength and fitness, so it all has to come together to work well, but the best riders all move really well and aren’t afraid of speed; using every nook of the hill for more. One specific thing I do use for preparation for my first race or first few races of the season, is the use of full effort timed runs where I make myself start on the minute using my watch. I give myself a little countdown and everything. That just gets me ready for the feeling I’ll have at the line, and gets me pumped for a full speed timed practice run. You don’t even have to have a real dh track for this, it’s more important to just think of what it will feel like at the start of your race, and how you will turn potential jitters into extra power and focus.