A Must For Mtb Woosies

[Dibles]

Yesterday I went for my 1st one-on-one mtb skills session presented by Cranky Monkey.  I decided to go for the one-on-one as opposed to a group session as I'm not a total novice and wanted to learn specific skills that I was lacking.

 

The instructor quickly made me feel at ease and at no time did I feel as though I was about to draw blood or inflict pain on myself (although I must admit it was a bit unnerving when I got too low over the rear wheel on a steep dropoff and felt the tyre turning on my butt ). I learnt more skills in the 1 hour session than I've learnt in the last 2 years. Was loads of fun too!

 

Here's some of the stuff they teach:

 

Beginner Rider LEVEL 1 SKILLS

If you are new to mountain biking or if you feel like you are walking your bike more than riding it, this is just what you need. It will help you to build confidence and feel more comfortable on your bike. Currently, you can ride on easy terrain, dirt roads and jeep track but have little or no experience on   single track, tight trails, downhill?s or tricky climbs.

? Correct body position

? Balance & center of gravity

? ?Attack? position

? Gear selection

? Braking

? Cornering

 

 Intermediate Rider LEVEL 2 SKILLS

 You've been riding mountain bikes for some time now  and you ride enough to know there are skills you  would like to improve. You are confident on most single  track; however, you are still cautious with speed and  more technical maneuvers like steep terrain. You would  like to learn how to conquer steep hills - both up and  down, navigate switchbacks, wheelie, bunny-hop and   no-handed riding. This course will equip   you with these skills to increase your speed and finesse  for trial riding and racing.

? Cornering

? Lifting the front wheel

? Drop offs

? Technical climbing

? Switchbacks

? Descending

? Technical obstacles: Roots, sand, rock beds, ruts

 Advanced Rider LEVEL 3 SKILLS

The basics are there and the confidence is high. But the tricks of the trade could certainly help to smoothen out your races and maximize your advantage over the stuff   that unsettles the competitors. The course  will teach you the subtle tricks to save time and preserve   equipment which could improve your game and give   you the edge. You will also get information on more   structured training methods to get you faster and   stronger.

 

? Bunny Hops

? Switchbacks

? Technical obstacles: Roots, sand, rock beds, ruts

? Line selection

? Multiple obstacle navigation

? Wheelies

? Track stands

Here's the link if anyone is interested: http://www.crankymonkey.co.za/index_files/skillsclinics.htm

 

 

They also do a road skills clinic and a bike mechanic workshop.

[Danger Dassie]

Top guys, glad that Gavin decided to take the plunge and start this. With the growth of mountain biking there really is a market for domething like this.

[Dibles]

Gavin says that they instructed over 350 people in the last year. They teach people of all levels too.

 

There are so many small things that I learnt e.g. I didn't think I needed to know how to do a track stand until he explained to me that I would need it if I wanted to negotiate a sharp turn into a dropoff.

[Danger Dassie]

Glad to you found it worthwhile

[Hog_]

I did the 101 and 201 clinics with Geoff from Logwood, and it helped me a LOT! It's always helpful to be in an environment where you have someone showing you how to do things the right way, and picking up what you're doing wrong and pointing it out.

 

 

 

[Racer X]

Hmmm... No Comment. If you want to improve your technical skills have a pint and then go down to your local DH track on your hardtail XC bike like me. Alternatively skip the pint and the DH track, take the brakes off your bike, put the volume on your Mp3 Player sky high and play something heavy, then, go ride your favourite bit of single track in the rain. Guaranteed to improve your riding..... and pain threshold.