Motocross 101: Taming Ruts
by Sean Casey
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| Ruts on the face of a jump like this are intimidating even to the pros! |
Real motocross is all about rough, choppy, rutted tracks. That is really what separates the men from the boys. Braking bumps can be intimidating, but just when you are feeling like a pro pinned down a straightaway; ruts can bring you back to reality. And they are everywhere: corners, jumps, straights. You can’t get away from them, so you might as well embrace it. Initially, it’s easy to hate ruts, but they can actually be used to your advantage.
It is a pretty easy process for a rut to form: bikes go over the same line and the rear tire digs out the soil. The main line is usually the first to get rutted up and as the day goes on, the main line will get deeper and deeper. This often times leads to a rut that prevents it from being the fastest. Keep this in mind when you do your motos later in the day. Slower riders may chop the throttle and alter the line some.
One of the most important and overlooked aspect of getting through a rut is to have both wheels lined up. I know this sounds stupid and trivial, but this can save you a lot time from getting cross rutted. This makes your forward drive and momentum easier to maintain. Remember, this goes for any rut. Once you have both wheels lined up in the rut, keep your head up and vision ahead to the end of the rut. If you look right in front you, you won’t have time to react. Staring right in front of you will only send you place, the ground.
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| Basic Motocross 101: Look to the end of the rut and enter with your wheels lined up. Harder done than said. photo: Steve Cox |
Depending on how deep the ruts are, it may be a good idea to ride on the balls of you feet. This prevents the chance of your feet getting ripped off the pegs. Like always, you want to grip with your knees to keep the bike stable in the rut and apply an even, steady throttle so the bike doesn’t try to hop too much. Keeping the neutral, attack position through here will help tremendously. This puts you in a position to adjust your weight accordingly.
Each rut and scenario is different. However, remembering the basic form and keeping your vision ahead will keep you on two wheels. Once you get over the intimidation factor, you will be good to go. Stay loose, have fun and you’ll be through them before you know it.
About the Author:
I’m Sean and I have been riding since I was 13 years old. I’m 20 years old now and pursuing a degree in Athletic Performance and Exercise Science. I’m not a professional and I don’t have a degree yet. However, I just love to read about racing techniques and training for the sport. This is what led me to start writing about everything I have learned. I have so much information on the sport; I think it could really benefit people who want to better their riding. When you’re healthier, riding is more enjoyable.
That's it for now, until next time, good luck with your training and remember, if you have a question, log on to the Virtual Trainer Expert Forum and have your question answered by a panel of experts. In addition, be sure and check out the Racer X Virtual Trainer archive section. Your complete one-stop information zone for motocross fitness. 
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enjoyed the article !
Thanks KC. Many more articles like this to come!
Great article, even I understood it. Keep 'em coming.
thx guys i new most of it i thought u were suposed to get up on the seat in the turns but ill try wat u suggested
It's verry dificult.But i like it.Thanks for the information.
You need to do all of those things listed, but make sure you go though ruts wide open, balls to the wall, no matter how gnarly the rut is. If you don't do this, you probably can't see how that would work, but trust me, it's just one of those motocross things. Any rut, off a jump, through a corner, down a straightaway, wide open.