Skill training on MTBs can take many forms. Whether you’re new to mountain biking or have been riding for years, skill training is an excellent way to improve your riding ability. Below you’ll find a general overview of MTB skill training basics. Your talent level and aim are two of the most crucial factors to consider while putting skill training into practice.
Level 3
MTB Leaders can complete the British Cycling Mountain Bike Leadership Award at Level 3, which builds on their skills and experience as a level 2 Mountain Bike Leader. This award is ideal for riders with a proven track record of leading mountain bike tours who want to take their skills to the next level. It includes advanced navigation skills, nutrition, and leadership skills.
MTB Skill Training is a great way to improve your skills and riding abilities. It allows you to learn new skills while being coached by a qualified instructor. You can take MTB skills clinics in almost any country with mountain bike trails.
Before applying for Level 3, you must be at least 18 years old and in good physical condition. Ideally, it would be best if you had experience riding on challenging terrain for long periods. You should be able to ride for a full day without resting or taking breaks. You should also be able to negotiate a trail without hesitation. You should also know how to read a map and locate difficult areas on the track.
Bunny hops
If you want to become a better mountain biker, you should practice doing bunny hops. This skill is fun, but you must practice carefully to get good at it. You can learn the steps and technique online from resources like Train to Ride, but the most important thing to remember is to practice on a flat area where you can avoid hitting any obstacles. Grassy fields are ideal, as they provide a soft landing.
To perform bunny hops, you must first get into a crouch. While you are in this position, start the pedals and make a slight sideways hop downhill. Make sure the front wheel stays pointed forward. Then release the brakes. Next, you need to twist the handlebars to do a jump. When you land, you should pedal forward. Your bike’s suspension should be loaded when you land.
The bunny hop is an important skill to practice on mountain bikes and should be practiced on terrain with few obstacles. The bunny hop is the most straightforward and most controlled hop to learn. It would be best to practice with a partner on a more accessible trail for beginners.
Front-wheel lifts
Front-wheel lifts can be an essential part of mountain bike skill training. They help pump over obstacles and allow you to enjoy a more excellent range of motion. These techniques can be very effective when used with a dropper seat post. The front suspension will be expanded, and the front wheel will rise off the ground.
Before you start practicing, you need to find a small raised obstacle where you can practice. These bumps can be made of roots, pavement cracks, or small embedded rocks. Then, approach the spot, pull back on the handlebars, and let your front and rear wheel lift off the ground. Once you are confident, you can move on to more enormous obstacles or higher jumps.
Manual is a skill that requires a little more finesse than a wheelie. It enables you to roll over a more significant hole without getting caught on it. Manual also allows you to maintain your momentum while riding over small ledges. The key to manually is to use your hips to lift the front end. You are riding at a speed that allows you to do this skill quickly and comfortably is best.
Balance drills
Balance drills are not only helpful for beginners, but they can also improve your riding technique. They help you learn how to balance your bike and be aware of where your rear wheel is concerning your front wheel. It is a crucial skill to have for riding on challenging terrain.
Pushing is an essential skill for aggressive riding, and focusing on moving exercises will help you build this critical movement. Pushing involves lifting the bike and using your core to push it upward. It will help you perform such tasks as boosting off a jump or driving the front wheel into a berm. These exercises will strengthen your core and glutes while challenging your balance.
Another essential skill to train for is balancing on narrow surfaces. Try to pedal on a skinny surface, like an elevated curb, and see how far you can go without falling over. It will help you maintain your balance and be more precise on tight lines. You can also try a figure-8 drill, in which you place two objects close enough to one another so that you can make a figure-eight around them.