Kalamazzo Posted June 27, 2012 Share Hi Guys, I read some articles here on thehubsa.com and I thought I would let you know about my thoughts on technical training and skills. What do we need to become a better skilled Mountain Biker? I believe… beginners should practice the following elements first:General fitness + flexibilityMounting and dismountingBody positioningBalanceBrakingShiftingHill startsPedalling techniqueOnce comfortable with the above, riders can begin practicing the following:Cornering – get a feeling for timing, distance and the ground conditionsPick up your front wheel – so may different waysLeaning back when riding down hillPushing and pumpingPedalling techniqueOnce comfortable with all of the above, riders can begin practicing the following more advanced skills:Advanced cornering – tight slow corners, fast corners...Manual – keep your front wheel up for more than 1mBunny hop – practice on flat pedals firstJumping (not very important) - practice on flat pedals firstPedalling technique – advancedAnd much more…Now we can talk about Training Programs, Intervals, recovery drinks and skills/technique training for specific disciplines What else is important? Ride on… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaBee Posted June 28, 2012 Share I can do some more advanced stuff, but it seems I'm a beginner... Hill starts still get me, just can't get going sometimes. Feel like a tortoise on it's back! (But it's getting better...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruz Addict Posted June 28, 2012 Share Nice post!!! Op clearly has thought about this, thought I was a half decent novice but from that list I am not to sure any more.What about adding performing a wheelie to the list somewhere, I mean a 10m peddled one. First on an uphill then flat then downhill? Edited June 28, 2012 by DaddyG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taps Posted June 28, 2012 Share Lots of crashes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patches Posted June 28, 2012 Share … Once comfortable with all of the above, riders can begin practicing the following more advanced skills:Advanced cornering – tight slow corners, fast corners...Manual – keep your front wheel up for more than 1mBunny hop – practice on flat pedals firstJumping (not very important) - practice on flat pedals firstPedalling technique – advancedAnd much more… *gasp* Jumping... "not important"?! ... I guess if you never wanna feel awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLYIT Posted June 28, 2012 Share Start by riding as often as possible Work on your slow balance (ride around slowly try not to put feet down and then add small obstacles as you progress) Body position very important. Commitment also very important. PRACTICE!!PRACTICE!!PRACTICE. Andro 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tubehunter Posted June 28, 2012 Share Nice post!!! Op clearly has thought about this, thought I was a half decent novice but from that list I am not to sure any more.What about adding performing a wheelie to the list somewhere, I mean a 10m peddled one. First on an uphill then flat then downhill? If you can already wheelie a good way to turn this into an advanced effort is to slow down to a stop, pause there and then get going again whilst keeping the front wheel off the ground all the time. Wheeling in a circle and through cones is another great effort. Kalamazzo, that is a good list of skills. Through the years of riding I've found the biggest factor that determines the speed at which people improve is how confident they are and how much risk they are prepared to take learning these new skills. Get them feeling 'sure footed' on a bike and they're far more likely to attempt something they haven't done before. Like what you're doing! Follow the posts. Keep it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babse Posted June 28, 2012 Share bigger balls Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockCoach Posted June 28, 2012 Share Eish. Haven't we just been over all this in the intermediate skillz thread? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wonder Woman Posted June 28, 2012 Share I jut cannot Wheelie, no matter what. And the bunny hopping isn't really happening so well either. I'm ok on most technical stuff but my problem is trying to do it at speed. Got the hill starts though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockCoach Posted June 28, 2012 Share I jut cannot Wheelie, no matter what. And the bunny hopping isn't really happening so well either. I'm ok on most technical stuff but my problem is trying to do it at speed. Got the hill starts though In Brian Lopes' book on technical riding he says while girls were playing with barbie, most boys were trying to get their front wheel off the ground. So we got a bit of a head start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnobbyMech Posted June 28, 2012 Share Agree on the balls. Most important for beginners is gettting comfortable with clipless pedals. For intermediate it is balance, steering and traction at low speed (steep and technical climbs). Also to loose fear of speed (whick is your friend, see first comment above). Ultimately confidence is the main thing and you only get it with practice and more practice, preferably riding with friends that have more skill than you. Nothing beats adrenaline and testosterone to get you to try something you would never try when riding alone. Nice topic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnobbyMech Posted June 28, 2012 Share Oh yes, and getting a 29er will help too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smolly Posted June 28, 2012 Share Another thing is confidence and trust in your machine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhmattm Posted June 29, 2012 Share *gasp* Jumping... "not important"?! ... I guess if you never wanna feel awesome! you always need to jump and you need to be awsome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now