• L2 Rookies, roadies & returners

  For riders looking to learn the essentials

  • Fast-track Singletrack Skills
  • Novice to Ninja

• L3 Intermediate & improvers

  For regular weekly mountain bikers

  • Mountain Bike Improver

Introduction to Mountain Biking

An exciting two day mix of trail skills and practical advice

You've managed to survive this long out on the trails without any formal skills coaching, but have nagging doubts you might be doing a few things wrong. You also dread anything going wrong with your bike as you've never been taught any basic trailside repairs. You fear your luck will run out soon or maybe it already has.

On our Introduction to Mountain Biking course our expert coaches will take what you have learned so far to the next level and beyond. We'll tell what you're already doing right, so you can do more of that, and what you're doing wrong, and we'll turn you into a mountain bike Macgyver so you can turn disaster into victory with ease.

On Day One we'll look at your bike set-up, polish your fundamentals, iron out any bad habits you may have picked up, get you moving around your bike and tackling some trail obstacles with style and finesse.

Then on Day Two we'll look at safety, equipment and how to get yourself out of a pickle if things go wrong out on the trail. We'll look at the mountain biker's bag and how what's in it can make all the difference if your bike let's you down or your luck runs out.

After the course you'll find your enjoyment of the sport will increase dramatically. You'll no longer feel like you're just surviving trails, you'll feel in more control and ready to ride more challenging of trails. You'll also feel confident you can carry out common repairs out on the trail.

Course outline

The skills taught and practiced on the Introduction to Mountain Biking course include:

• Bike Set-up
  Pre-ride checks
  Choosing the right tyre pressures
  Setting your saddle height for off-road riding
  Cockpit/controls setup
  Setting up your forks and shock
  
• Mind Skills
  Relaxing on the bike and staying loose
  Riding within yourself to stay in control
  "The Looking Epiphany"
• Body Position & Movement
  The Ready Position & "The Standing Epiphany"
  Moving around the bike in three dimensions
  Dynamic weight shift
• Speed Control
  Braking safely and effectively
  When and where to brake
• Trail Obstacles
  Riding over large rocks and roots with confidence
  Steep terrain technique
  Rolling drops & bomb holes
• Trail Flow
  Reading the trail
• Mountain Biker's Bag
  Tools, spares and improvised repair items
  The mountain biker's first aid kit
  Trail riding safety equipment
  What to do if things go wrong
  
• Trailside Repairs
  Replacing an inner tube
  Fixing a broken chain
  Changing your brake pads
  

Is this course right for me?

Please read the following description. If this sounds like you, then you're perfect for this course:

• You're fairly new to mountain biking or have not been riding off-road regularily for more than a year or so
• You regularily ride off road and will have tried green, blue and perhaps red graded singletrack trails before at a trail centre or similar venue
• You have your own mountain bike (we have bikes available to hire if your bike is not available)
• You can already ride confidently on narrow singletrack trails with small rocks, roots and steps
• You exercise at least twice a week and at least one of these sessions is technical mountain biking
• You can ride moderately steep terrain at a steady pace
• You can ride for at least three hours comfortably
• You are aged 18 and over unless accompanied by an adult also participating on the course

If this sounds beyond your current skill and fitness level, please choose our Singletrack Fundamentals day course instead or have a look at our choosing the right course FAQ page.

Typical programme

Although the course is flexible it will usually keep to the following programme:

• Day 1 09:15-09:30 Arrival at course venue
• Day 1 09:30-10:00 Introductions, equipment check and bike set-up session
• Day 1 10:00-10.15 Warm-up ride into the forest
• Day 1 10:15-13:00 Singletrack skills coaching and practice
• Day 1 13:00-14:00 Lunch break back at start point (bring a packed lunch)
• Day 1 14:00-15:30 Coached singletrack ride

• Day 2 09:15-09:30 Arrival at course venue
• Day 2 09:30-12:30 Equipment, safety and trailside repairs session
• Day 2 12:30-13:30 Lunch break back at start point (bring a packed lunch)
• Day 2 13:30-15:30 Coached singletrack ride
• Day 2 15:30-15:45 Review and next steps

At the end of your course you will receive

• Personalised Feedback
  to remind you of your performance on your course
• An Action Plan
  your coach will tell you what you need to do after your course to consolidate your new skills and progress your mountain biking into the future
• 30 Days Free Support
  if you have any questions about what you've learned or need any other advice

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