"how-to" questions

[jef09]

I am in the process of just learning to ride mtb, what are the skills I need to focus on the most? I am able to get by a bit with the skills I have picked up being a roadie, but I would love to feel more confident on the trail. My SO said he would teach me the basics (and he is very patient), but I kind of need a better idea of what those basics are

[pinkbikes]

I am in the process of just learning to ride mtb, what are the skills I need to focus on the most? I am able to get by a bit with the skills I have picked up being a roadie, but I would love to feel more confident on the trail. My SO said he would teach me the basics (and he is very patient), but I kind of need a better idea of what those basics are

Cripes! Well here are a few ideas to get started with. But might I suggest that it is like your SO teaching you to drive, ski etc and sometimes it might be a better idea to go and catch a class with an anomymous instructor!!!

At the beginner class I did a few years ago, the sorts of things that were covered included:

- Finding the attack position and the basics of how to move your weight forward (for climbing) and backward (for descending)
- One finger braking (always riding with a finger over the brakes and modulating)
- Riding in small circles (for balance, control and where to look) standing, sitting and on the brakes
- Stick hopping (learning how to pick up front wheel and then back wheel)
- Rolling over basic obstacles

They also covered heaps of stuff on staying loose, using momentum, and also something on picking lines etc but that is very situational depending on what sort of terrain you are riding in.

There are some good videos/DVDs you can get and I'm sure there are plenty on Utube that could help you with the basics if you can't find a course.

[Nancy08]

"Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly. "

make sense?

Just always be careful
Safety doesn't happen by accident.