cloy wrote:
How much practice does it really take to become proficient? I've been racing a long time, but I've avoided flying mounts for a few years (see above). I swore that I'd start utilizing them this season, so I've practiced a few times. But how much should I really be doing it?
Note you don't have do to a 'FLYING' mount.
You can do a much-safer NON-flying mount, but with your shoes already mounted on the bike. Much less risk for error, and is like 1-2 seconds slower than the risky flying mount where you literally jump on the bike as it rolls.
I dont use rubber bands - I just bring my bike to the line, check that my mount pedal (my right one in my case) is pointed forward (not back) and I just step onto it and go. Nothing crazy or frenzied. But definitely still faster than putting your shoes on in transition, particularly when there's a long roll of the bike and it's super clunky to run in bike shoes.
The key thing is to check that the pedal is pointed forward before you try to get on it. Sometimes I do have to move it with my hand at the line. I don't think that extra second is hurting me though.