My other half has suggested that I might want to go on an MTB skills course for my birthday. After the initial dismay that she should ever question my Mtb skills, hard earnt through the last 15 years, I thought maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks! Proper wheelies for one! Anyone got any experience of these? Looking fo something in the South West/South Wales area.
Bike Forum
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Skills courses yes or no?
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Posted 2 years ago #
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Can't do any harm and will all could do with some fine tuning.
Posted 2 years ago # -
You might be surprised what you will pick up. A good instructer will soon spot any basic mistakes you're making ... it's amazing how many riders don't position themselves properly on the bike for a start. Braking technique is another area where most people can make big gains ... I could go on and on
Bit further north but you never know http://www.forestfreeride.co.uk
Cheers
StuartPosted 2 years ago # -
Absolutely yes.
Biggest single improvement you can make to your riding abilities.
I've done several AQR ones. Even the basic one after 10+ years of riding sorted out a whole multitude of minor errors that made me a much better all round rider. Cornering abilities especially came on enormously.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I have done a couple of skills days with Fully Sussed in Plymouth: http://www.fullysussed.co.uk/index.php?p=2_2
I thought they were really helpful, there were about 4 of us in the group so the instructor was able to give us all individual advice.
Great idea for a birthday present too
Posted 2 years ago # -
Never done a Mtb one but I think I should. I thought I was a good kayaker but I did some advanced coaching and was amazed by how much I learnt. It also motivated me to go out and do differnt things looking at the sport in a different way. I assume the same is true of bikes. There are always things you can improve on, especially if you are recieving comment from an independant observer.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Seconded for http://www.ukbikeskills.co.uk
He does travel - not sure how far but well worth giving a call.
Great teacher - great rider - very passionate about cycling.
Posted 2 years ago # -
yes yes yes mate worth every penny aleway come back with bits to work on and a few weeks months down the line when the new stuff is habit you'll always be a bit better more confident well I am any way!
Posted 2 years ago # -
now available with tesco clubcard points
Posted 2 years ago # -
Cheers guys, i suppose there's always something to learn! I did see something a while back about somewhere near Afan as well with there own trails and accom similar to the Forest Freeride lot anyone heard about this as well? I think i'll take the plunge just need to know where to go now.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I think it's be best money you can spend on your hobby. All the 'what tyres for xxx' stuff when really the cost of a set of tyres someone can show you how to use them properly
A few years ago I went on one, quite reluctantly because I was as good a rider as anyone I rode with (I thought) and was normally quicker than most people etc etc etc. It made a massive difference to my riding, ironing out some bad habits and also giving me a list of stuff to work on. It was like my riding had got quite far but had taken a few duff turnings and ended up at a cul-de-sac. I had to reverse back up the road a bit, take some different turns and all of a sudden there was a lot more road infront of me for me to progress down. Don't expect it to make you able to wheelie though! I think skills courses give you a set of things to work on but it's only practice that turns those into actual improved riding.
There's loads of skills courses about and they many seem to get a good write up. I've got some skills weeks with Jedi (uk bike skills) next year so I don't feel I can offer an unbiased recommendation other than to say that I approached Jedi because I've ridden with him before and felt he would do a good job!
Posted 2 years ago # -
Book with Jedi, he fully rocks!!
I'm booked in again on the 30th Jan, can't wait
Posted 2 years ago # -
South Wales based http://www.afan-valley-bike-hire.com/page7.html
Posted 2 years ago # -
I can recommend MB7 for those of you who live up near here in the wildlands where dragons live. Check the link http://www.thebikechain.co.uk/store/content/16/Links/
Posted 2 years ago # -
Posted 2 years ago #
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Another vote for AQR. They used to hold their skills sessions in Sherwood Pines but they've got another location now.
Excellent day out, met some great people, learnt loads and ironed out a few bad habits in the process.I reckon £40 or so on a skills day is worth £400 of new bling for the bike.
Posted 2 years ago # -
If you can't drive a car - get driving lessons.
If you can't ride a bike - learn (honestly, it's not that difficult).Posted 2 years ago # -
i did an athertons training day with one planet adventure. with ten years riding i was worried about the coaches being a touch below me but that really wasnt gonna happen with the athertons :p
thoughly recommended Posted 2 years ago # -
anyone done the courses at cycle wise (whinlater) or dirt school (glentress)
Considering both
Posted 2 years ago # -
I did the TCL course at cycle wise. They are diamond geezers, highly recommended.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Definitely worth it, you'll get alot out of one if you go prepared to listen and learn (rather than thinking you may not benefit because you have been riding for years).
Another recommendation for Jedi here, so good I've booked another session
Posted 2 years ago # -
Absolutely worth it, it did stacks for my confidence and ability having someone just giving little pointers, try Stu at Dales Mountain Biking
Posted 2 years ago # -
scuse my ignorance but what or who is AQR??????
Posted 2 years ago # -
most definitely.once i have paid off my bike,i intend to save up for a weeks holiday and go on a skills course (my skills are atrocious
Posted 2 years ago # -
a quick release gizzardman
Posted 2 years ago # -
Google is your answer
http://www.aquickrelease.com/Posted 2 years ago # -
Did a day with Dirt School at Innerleithen. Highly reccomended.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I've spent 23 years of hard graft and toil to become the mal co-ordinated mass of bad habits I am today and I'll be damned if I'll pay good money to some skilled,astute insightful so-called "instructor" to rid me of them thankyouverymuch.Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
S-H-#-T-E till the day I D-I-E I tell thee.Posted 2 years ago # -
what i will say is great coaching is worth its weight in gold.
some people will always learn by trial and error but the tide of change is happening in coaching perception. people get ski instruction but not biking instruction, wierd but that is slowly changing.
thanks for the recommends Posted 2 years ago # -
Anywhere recommended in the South East for skillz courses? I've been thinking it could be beneficial for a while so this thread's reminded me, I'm sure my riding's got a bit stagnant over the years
Posted 2 years ago # -
Another recommendation for Tony ' Jedi' Doyle, absolute TOP BLOKE
Posted 2 years ago # -
Second Dirt School. They're going to be coming out here for some coaching in the Alps next summer as well.
Posted 2 years ago # -
cheers mtbmaff
Posted 2 years ago # -
I was on holiday in Wales last year and spent a day at forestfreeride.co.uk. It rained on and off all day, I fell in the mud four times and left Wales a far better and more confident rider.
Stuart at FFR squeezed me in for a one to one training session at short notice and the price was highly competetive. I'm heading back later this year with my new On One 456, and will be booking once I know when I can get leave from work.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Cheers for that stuart ... was it really 4 times
I'll see you later in the year then ... oh, I've been building lots of new sections you might enjoy.
Cheers
StuartPosted 2 years ago # -
OK, so it was IN the mud once, due to mud twice, and once dangling from a branch in the "Tree of Fear". I dunno, some people can be so picky!
I'm riding that damn tree next time....
Posted 2 years ago #
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