Ambitions, Featuring Emily Batty: Episode 6 - Video

May 4, 2016
by Liam Murphy  

Emily Batty
Emily Batty
Emily Batty
Emily Batty
Emily Batty
Emily Batty
Emily Batty

MENTIONS: @liammurphyfilms / @trek


Posted In:
Videos


Author Info:
liammurphyfilms avatar

Member since Jul 7, 2012
23 articles
Report
Must Read This Week
[UPDATED] Elite Finals Results & Overall Standings from the Fort William DH World Cup 2024
153600 views
Semi-Final Results from the Fort William DH World Cup 2024
104331 views
Elite Qualifying Results from the Fort William DH World Cup 2024
82093 views
Extra Tech Randoms: Fort William DH World Cup 2024
49372 views
Bike Check: Greg Minnaar's Norco Prototype DH Bike at Fort William World Cup
48387 views
More Tech Randoms - Fort William World Cup 2024
45676 views
Timed Training Results: Fort William DH World Cup 2024
43986 views
How Tight? Examining the UCI's Clothing Rules for DH Racing
39927 views
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup

57 Comments
  • 61 1
 Once you see that she middle finger brakes you struggle to see anything else
  • 5 0
 Wow never noticed this, wonder what her rational is?
  • 18 0
 @zion-i: I'm not sure there's anything rational about that...
  • 4 2
 @b-mack: Nahh, i dont buy that. I think she has a reason, we just don't know what it is, so it seems strange to us mortals. Im not saying its a good reason... im just curious haha
  • 6 0
 @b-mack: Hey, on another note in the video when she is crossing the line, she is moving her hands around all over the bars. I do this when my wrists and hands get really tight, wonder if it has something to do with arm pump or sore hands. Were all anatomically very different. Ill ask her next time i see her!
  • 25 4
 I do this as well. For no reason. But once I found out Emily did it, I didn't bother worrying to change. It's something we'll always share. And that brings me comfort and peace.
  • 3 1
 Steve Jones of Dirt does it too. Its really personal preference. One take is that it allows for better grip as you are gripping with a wider surface area and at the outsides of your hands. It's been rumored to help with hand fatigue.
  • 8 0
 @zion-i: Cuz she has tiny hands
  • 4 5
 Looks like she runs her brake far to outboard,to get the best leverage she's using her middle finger.Could just move the brakes in and use the index finger.I see this on a lot of new bikes and bikes on the trail.
  • 2 0
 @rideonjon: if you think about it the middle finger has the most active muscles around it, squeeze your fingers one at a time and feel where there is the most muscle activation. kinda neat.
  • 2 0
 I middle finger brake also ... just works best for me and the best modulation for my style.
  • 10 0
 @joose: Actually there no muscles in the fingers Wink
  • 5 1
 i've been riding this way for over 25 years. i can grip with thumb and index finger without death gripping the bar -- 'soft hands'. it also helps me to not squeeze the brake lever too hard / often.
  • 1 0
 I know right?!? lol
  • 1 0
 @Skautik: touché
  • 2 0
 @mrgiant: i'm with you. 30 years for me. back then no suspension except for a flex stem. hang on for dear life on the down hills and middle finger brake.. it has followed me although brakes are excellent and i have 5 inches of travel.
  • 1 0
 I broke my index finger many years ago and starting using my middle finger to brake and never went back. It seems to give me better grip when I brake. To each their own though.
  • 1 0
 I've heard it's to allow for easier shifting without having to take your finger off of the brakes. Seems plausible.
  • 1 0
 Next time you look at your shimano equipped bike, notice that the matchmaker piece that integrates the shifter and brake lever allows the shifter to be adjusted in approximately the width of one her fingers. Word is she made shimano slot that for her atypical grip method.
  • 4 0
 @rideonjon: she's a world cup rider. I dunno why she middle finger brakes but I'm pretty sure she knows how to set up her bike properly.
  • 3 2
 @treesmoker: I'm pretty sure she doesn't set up her bike at all,she has a mechanic and I'm sure he turns all the funny wrenches.
  • 2 0
 @bemery004: you're a disgrace to my name
  • 3 2
 You have to be quite arrogant to question her setup. She's a pro world cup rider, working with a team of the highest level. Im sure her bike is setup just fine, to her personal taste and for the best racing performance.
  • 4 0
 we can't question a high level athlete's techniques? is this a religion now?
  • 7 0
 @bemery: honestly I think she just got used to using the middle finger after driving around in her Porsche.
  • 3 2
 Haha! A religion. Good one. Of course its cool to analyze the pro set-ups and techniques! That what we're all about. But to say that its irrational or none-sense to use the middle finger brakes its closed minded and lacking of respect for a rider of her level. Obviously, if she uses the middle finger, it must be working for her! That's all I meant.
  • 24 0
 I love watching anything that involves the regiment of these pro athletes. So much discipline and focus. It makes me want to be a better rider. I also really love EB because she inspires women like my esposa to get out there and MTB
  • 10 0
 all the best for 2016 and the olympics.....
  • 9 0
 Such a solid series. It's awesome to see what goes into racing at that level, and the production on these is also great!
  • 9 0
 Solid video! I love watching these and the Nino ones.
  • 6 0
 These are so great. They're such a good reminder of how much work and preparation these athletes put into their sport. Best of luck Emily!
  • 9 0
 Love the end takes!
  • 9 2
 The way she stuck her tongue out and winked at the end.. Im in love. Pretty good rider too
  • 6 0
 wow.. I was scared to hit that roller she did in sedona... it's pretty legit!
  • 4 0
 Another great episode, much luck to Batty now that the WC season is on. I hope Absalon's use of a dropper catches on, since it seems they could really benefit from one on the tech sections.
  • 2 0
 Nice article, the trail you see her training on mid way through the video is called "bug springs" here in Tucson and it is really a unique trail in that it starts out at higher elevation with pine trees and even snow in the winter months and you finish back down where cactus's grow towards the bottom.

I wish Emily all the best for 2016.
  • 4 0
 She has said that using the middle finger allows her to keep a better hold of the handle bar.
  • 5 3
 Is she sponsored by Tucson?
  • 2 1
 Is this the lady who lost her top teeth in a biking accident?if so they are truly amazing implants/dentures.
  • 4 0
 @Mrstamper-who knows......but if so it probably explains her dinged nose-sacrificed it to save those implants....meanwhile I can hear those dentists groan as the downpayment on the latest carbon dually has to wait. Apart from that middle finger braking what I did notice was that dude on a dually Mtb in the peleton pedalling like crazy in amongst all those 10k+ whippet road machines. Nice work mate.
  • 2 0
 Road riding in Tucson?!! She really does live dangerously!
  • 2 0
 That one brave soul on that road ride with a mountain bike
  • 1 0
 Mad props to that lad thats how you ride bikes
  • 1 0
 She is so cute.. I love U Emily! 3
  • 1 0
 A wee Welsh Terrier! Smile I had an Airedale exactly the same colour.
  • 2 1
 Emily, you've inspired us all to do better!
  • 1 0
 always motivating to watch
  • 1 0
 Will we ever see the dropper post as a staple in XC racing?
  • 2 1
 dam son
  • 1 0
 How wide are her bars?
  • 3 4
 Is that a fly on my screen?.. what's on her nose?
  • 2 1
 Coco pop
  • 2 0
 crashing rewards
Below threshold threads are hidden







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv65 0.043436
Mobile Version of Website