UK BIKE SKILLS

Overcoming Dom's fears

2012-01-21T07:19:00.001-08:00

Dom loves his riding but came to me as he feared airtime and anything steep and was recommended by another rider to come to see me. The skills check revealed all I needed to know and I set up his bike for him too so he could feel in control. I could see he needed looking and body positioning worked on and the rest was psychological.
We began with the drop technique and to Dom's surprise, all three drops were easy with his new mental and physical skill set.

I began with pumping techniques and using this energy to connect to the trail. He then used this free speed to ride the berms,flat,off camber and switchback turns , rock garden, jump and drops. We worked down the trail methodically always adding the previous sections to the next and linking them via their correct braking areas.

I worked hard on linking drops into corners too and he was now riding larger drops than ever and also linking them at greater speed into corners.
After a few runs we had a break and I moved onto my new singletrack with more technical features. We started with a steep roll into a berm and Dom didn't think he'd ride it but using his mental skills questions he rode it smoothly and in control. I showed him some more of the trail and he carried speed through a berm to ride up a bus stop.

Dom, then rode it all together and was surprised that not only did he ride it easily but he felt fluid and always in control.

Finally, we moved onto a steep drop that can be rolled and also dropped. This really was a big fear for Dom but in a short time building up on other, smaller roll ins he not only rolled down it but also used his drop technique to fly off it too , landing 5ft down the drop.
The session ended there as Dom was physically and mentally tired.
Great session Dom and I'm looking forward to seeing you again.

January's singletrack skills public session

2012-01-20T07:32:00.000-08:00

Charlene, Lee, Neil and Mark turned up as arranged at the Herts skills area for the session and I soon set to work. They all had various degrees of experience with riding off road but the skill set is the same regardless. I found footwork, looking and body position faults that covered up any good habits in their riding. I changed their set ups and they were amazed at the difference it all made.
The first technique We applied their new skill set to was drops. They found it so easy as they landed perfectly. Charlene was amazed that she got off the ground at all and the boys all began flying off all 3 drops.

From there we moved onto the skills trail and I showed why their skill set, both mental and physical applies to everything you come across on a trail. Pumping was used to connect to the trail and the speed gained was carried through the following berm and flat corner. They could all feel the massive grip change and Mark was smiling as he rode each turn chatting to himself as he went. We moved to the rock garden, berm and switchback turn. Charlene once again stunned herself as she was convinced she couldn't ride them but found the whole affair simple. Lee and Neil were now tearing along with smiles plastered across their faces.

Next we used the fly out to pump and develop speed to easily control riding up steep, short slopes and by a subtle change in application Lee and Neil were jumping up it too.

I worked on drop offs and linking them into corners with braking control and line choice and the riders could roll or use their drop technique as their mental skills dictated.
Even the rain couldn't dampen their spirits and in fact it made them feel the difference in grip and control their new skills sets brought.
They then began riding the trail end to end. One by one at first then as a group and each run was so fluid and confident compared to the riders they were when we started.
Tiredness, both mentally and physically brought the session to an end.
Loved it!

Steve's return after 2 years

2012-01-19T08:52:00.001-08:00

I coached Steve 2 years ago at Woburn and late last year he broke his wrist whilst riding something he'd ridden tons before and this had effected his riding mentally.
The skills check showed me that all of the physicality from our first session had embedded perfectly and that I could now work on his body position in corners and that I had some work to do on his mental skill set.
We began with drops and although Steve rode all 3 drops I could see a protective mechanism was there as residue from his crash and Once I can find it I can remove it.

We moved onto the skills trail and I used the top half to begin with. I developed his pumping more from our first session and we used the energy gained to ride the following berm, flat corner, rock garden, berm and switchback. I enhanced his body position and he could feel the effect of weight distribution on grip.

We moved down to the bottom half of the trail and I worked on the fly out jump to get Steve used to getting into the air again and linked it to a corner with a step on the exit, berm , off camber turn, drop and bermed corner. Steve was now flowing nicely and was relaxing more and more on the jump and the drop too. We rode the trail end to end and it was so fluid and fast but I could feel him comfort braking as he approached the drop into the berm and this was something we worked on before once again riding it end to end with way better results.

I moved us onto the 6ft table top and gap jump and had to work hard on Steve's mental skill set to enable him to commit to his physical skills and clear the tabletop. Once he had cleared it the smile grew even wider as he rode down to the gap jump and sailed over that too. Now Steve was back and pushing his riding along sweetly.
We moved onto the pump and jump trail and used his pumping through various undulations to gain enough speed to jump a 9ft tabletop.
Our session ended with a run down my new singletrack and Steve declared mental tiredness and called the session to a close.
Awesome riding Steve!

Gary's 1 to 1 skills session

2012-01-17T07:29:00.000-08:00

Gary has been riding for 2yrs and wanted to know the best way to do stuff before he'd developed too many bad habits. Over a coffee in the cold of the morning, we chatted about his past sporting experiences and his aspirations for the session.
I began as ever, with my skills check and I could see Gary needed body positioning and looking skills missing. I totally changed the set up of his Santa Cruz Nomad and then off we went to apply the new skills to the drop technique.

Here I went through the four mental skills questions that I teach riders to always ask themselves when faced with a new section and Gary applied the physical skills too and sailed through the air landing perfectly. He said he could feel the difference totally as it all required less effort.
We moved onto the skills trail and I showed why the skills applied to pumping and how to enhance the trails energy using this technique .

Gary then used this gained energy to link in the following berm, flat corner, rock garden and further two corners. The new body positioning really enhanced his grip in turns too and his confidence grew. We added a fly out jump, corner with a step on the exit and worked on line choice when linking drops into corners. Finally, Gary was riding the entire trail end to end and was so smooth now as a result of the session.

Gary was beginning to tire mentally and I knew we'd have just enough time for me to teach him to jump tabletops. Gary said that he had always slowed right down and rolled over them but a short time later he was sailing over the 6ft tabletop with commitment and confidence.

Gary called an end to our session after riding the table top a good few times as he was done mentally. Great session and I'm looking forward to his on going development.

Over coming fears when riding

2012-01-16T07:13:00.001-08:00

Tracey had the session given to her as a gift from her husband Martin and we had to delay the session back in December when she broke her ankle while running. On arrival today, we chatted over a coffee and chatted about the effect breaking her ankle had on her overall confidence.
I started with the skills check and found that Tracey sat down in corners and had footwork and looking faults too. I changed her set up and showed her why I had done so and the control she now felt was vastly different to before.
I corrected her braking technique and then we applied both the mental and physical skill set to the drop technique. I worked hard on the mental side of Tracey's riding and the yells of joy when she flew through the air could be heard for miles. The new found confidence in her riding was shining through already and after a few more runs we moved on to work on pumping and cornering.
I used a mound on the trail to show why pumping generates free speed and Tracey linked the following berm and flat corner to it also. Now her cornering technique was so much better than before but the rock garden was a complete block when I showed Tracey it so I moved past that onto riding up steep short slopes and riding down steps. Tracey used the four mental skills questions that I teach to decide whether she could ride them and then fluidly rode both sections.
Now she was believing in herself and wanted to go back to the rock garden and in a short while, Tracey rode them and immediately said how easy it felt as she was in control all of the time.
Our final technique was to pump undulations on a trail and generate speed from them to ride the next. Tracey was smiling all the time now as she felt in control and rode with a renewed confidence.
Our session ended when her ankle began to ache and she was tiring. Great session Tracey and I look forward to your updates.
High5!

Mark's mtb skills session

2012-01-14T07:39:00.001-08:00

Mark made his way to me from Reading way and on a crisp, cold morning we started with my skills check. During this time I made set up changes and found looking and body position faults that needed correcting. We moved to our first technique, drops and I showed why the mental and physical skill sets applied. Immediately, Mark could feel the different that his new skills were making as he was landing perfectly and effortlessly.

From there we moved onto the skills trail and I broke the 14 sections down into bite size chunks so Mark could focus on small segments before joining them together. Pumping was the first technique and we used the gained free speed to link in a berm and flat corner. Marks body positioning was something he could feel as he generated a grip he hadn't had previous to seeing me. I added in a rock garden, that Mark required his mental skill set to ride and linked them to the following berm and switchback corners before going back to the start and joining them all together. I moved down to a fly out jump and showed why the skill set enables simple airtime and we linked that to a more technical corner before once again, returning to the top and linking all the previous sections together using the correct braking areas.
I moved onto the end of the trail and worked on linking corners and drop offs together by line choice and braking technique which took some work but soon We were riding the entire trail end to end and the fluid control and new found confidence shone through on each run.
We moved onto what would prove to be the final technique of the session, jumping tabletops.

It took Mark's new physical but also his mental skills to be applied correctly but as commitment to his push blossomed he sailed over the tabletop with a big smile on his face. A few more clears and mental fatigue began to show and the session ended to keep him safe.
Great session!

From Manchester for skills

2012-01-13T08:47:00.001-08:00

Will has had coaching by someone else some time ago and made the journey from up north down to me and stayed in a local b+b. On arrival, we chatted over coffee about his expectations for the session and I set to work. The skills check Tells me the areas needing work and it's also where I make the necessary set up changes.
I began with braking technique and then onto the application of the skill set to the drop technique. Body position and looking were worked on as well as his mental skill set too. Immediately, will could feel the difference and ease of the technique, I even showed why the same things can be applied to begin to style it too.
We moved onto the skills trail and its fourteen sections. We began with pumping and using this energy rather than needing to pedal and linked it to a berm and flat corner.

Footwork, looking and body position were really starting to pay dividends and soon I added a rock garden, berm and switchback corner into the mix. This proved easy for Will now as he linked them all with ease in a controlled and confident manner. We moved down the trail and added in a fly out jump and a corner with a step on the exit. Getting air was now simple for Will and easy for him to control. I worked hard on line choice when linking the final segment of the trail together and then we began riding the entire trail end to end. Now will was riding fast and smoother than ever before and the smile never left his face. Will made a couple of small errors every so often but now he recognised what he was doing wrong and corrected it.
We moved onto the tabletop as Will rides trail centers and these are becoming common place so I demonstrated and when it was Wills turn he sailed over and even rode the 6ft gap jump too a few times.
For our final session we moved onto the pump and jump trail and worked on pumping two sections to gain speed to jump a 9ft tabletop and I also showed why the skill set applies to manualing across jumps. Mental fatigue began creeping in and we agreed the session should end after over 5 hours.
Great session and I look forward to our on going coaching connection.
high5!

Downhill skills for Iain

2012-01-09T08:57:00.000-08:00

Iain came to me from Bristol and wanted to develop his skills as he races downhill in the 661 series at the forest of dean. I began with my skills check and I found body positioning and looking faults. I changed his set up also and I set to work.
The drop technique came first and I showed why his new skill set applies both physically and mentally. I was able to teach Iain how to begin to style it in the air too.

I then moved us onto the skills trail and worked on pumping and using the acquired energy to link in the following berm and flat corner. Soon I added a rock garden and switchback and bermed corner too. As we moved down the trail I used a fly out to show why the skill set can be used to either jump or absorb sections to maintain speed.

All the time as we moved down the trail we added the previous sections to it. Next up I worked on linking the drop technique and cornering together by line choice and braking technique.

Iain was now riding the trails 14 sections end to end and was so much faster and controlled. Each run was smoother and any errors were identified and corrected by himself as he moved through conscious reaction to unconscious action.
Next up I worked on manualing tabletops and doubles and this took a little while but then it began to click.
We rode the alpine switchbacks and used his mental skills questions to overcome a peripheral fear to do so.
We moved onto another singletrack to work on his fluidity and linking sections together and he was really beginning to fly.

This trail ended in a drop and I showed why it could be done 3 different ways too!

Lastly, I developed his jumping skills to a level where Iain could comfortably ride a 9ft gap jump and link it with the following berm with consummate ease.

Our session ended after Iain had ridden the gap section a few times and the adrenalin of the session took its toll and tiredness began to show.
An amazing session Iain and I look forward to your riding updates.
High 5!

The gift of a mtb skills session

2012-01-07T09:24:00.001-08:00

Colin gave Ian and Paul their part in the private group session for the three of them as a gift. On meeting them I gave them my commitment to their coaching and an outline for the session before we began. I started with the skills check and Between them they had footwork, looking and body position faults which enabled me to use their visuality between them to get more from them. I adjusted their set ups to enhance their control and we moved on.
I always start with the application of the mental and physical skill sets to the drop technique.
The guys were landing perfectly from pretty much the word go as their new skills simplified everything.

I moved onto the skills trail and I began coaching them on the 14 sections that it contains. I began with the pumping technique and we linked that to a berm and a flat corner. Their new skills were already shining through as they could all feel enhanced grip and control. I added a rock garden, berm and switchback corner into the mix followed by a fly out jump and corner with a stepped exit. Now the lads were really enjoying their new skills and their riding was getting faster and way more confident. Lastly We linked their drop and cornering techniques together by line choice and braking areas and they began riding the trail end to end. Each complete run was faster than the previous one even if they thought that wasn't possible. I could see they were tiring mentally so after a few runs I called and end to the session after 5 hours and I gave them a riding demonstration of the same skill sets in use in my own riding on the woodwork of Herts. A great session to end an awesome week of coaching.

Riding back to your childhood

2012-01-06T10:12:00.000-08:00

John came to me after his wife bought him the session as a gift. He brought along 2 bikes asking which he should ride and after I said "just ride your favorite one" he settled on the full suspension and I set to work. I always begin with my skills check and today was no different. I made set up changes and identified his present and also his missing skills.

We moved onto the drops to apply both his new physical and also his mental skill sets. immediately he could feel the difference his new body position made as he began landing perfectly and was at ease with it all.
After a while we moved on to the skills trail where we began with the base technique of pumping and using the energy gained.

We used the gained energy to ride the following berm and flat corner. John used his feet, body and looking skills to comfortable ride faster than before. I added in a rock garden, switchback and another berm to the line and John really began to ride fluidly.
Next up I added a fly out jump and showed why his skill set makes jumping simple and the following corner with stepped exit, which proved no problem for him at all. Finally, I showed him how to link the drop technique to his cornering technique by line choice and braking areas before it was time to ride the whole trail end to end. The difference is his riding was amazing and the smile never left his face as he chuckled out loud at the end of each run.
Finally, I moved us onto our final technique of the session, jumping tabletops. These feature more and more at trail centers and I wanted to show john why they can be dangerous but also why they are easy using his new skill set.

John hadn't been in the air on a bike since he was a kid but that was about to change as in a few small steps he was sailing over the 6ft tabletop and laughing as he did so!
A few more jumps and our session came to a close, ending an awesome session.
Great start to the new riding year John!

A session with warhead!

2012-01-05T07:02:00.001-08:00

Geoff does a lot of cycling photography http://www.waughphotos.com/ and a lot of riding but his riding has been effected recently by a lack in confidence in riding.
On arrival we had a coffee and chatted about the outline for the session and as always we began with the skills check. This revealed a great natural habit that was bogged down by missing skills and also in cornering I needed to work on body position and looking.

We moved onto the drop sections to apply the skill set, both mental and physical to this technique and Geoff began landing perfectly. It was time to move to the skills trail and I began by breaking the whole trail down and working on it in bite size chunks.

I began with pumping and harnessing the energy available in the trail and used the gained speed to ride the following berm and flat corner. I added in a rock garden and two further corners, a berm and switchback. Geoff's new body position really was telling as his summer tyres gripped easily in the slippy conditions of the day. I added in pumping up steep slopes and riding corners with a stepped exit. Geoff was really flowing along the trail now and I then worked on riding drops into corners and the associated line choice effect before it was time for us to ride the entire trail end to end. Each run was faster and more fluid than the last and Geoff was smiling like a Cheshire cat.
I then showed why the skill set applies to riding over fallen trees.

Geoff was surprised how easy it was and we moved on and applied the same thing in a different context in advanced pumping.
To end our session we rode my new singletrack and worked on riding steep roll downs and the mental skills application in those. This brought our session to a close and i can't wait for Geoff's riding updates.
High5!

Out of Africa!

2012-01-04T08:35:00.000-08:00

Chris and Antony came over from Nigeria where they work for a skills session before they do the cape epic. On meeting, we chatted over a coffee and I gave them an outline for the session and my commitment to them.
I began with the skills check and found that I could work on their feet, body and looking skills that were missing between the two of them. I also gave them the mental skills questions that I teach before applying the skill set to our first technique, drops.
It took them no time at all to match their skill set to speed and they began landing perfectly from the word go. Antony was using a demo bike from transition called a bandit that I had got for him to use and I set up for him, Chris was loving his lappiere now as I set it up properly too.
After a while of riding all 3 drops, we moved onto the skills trail and the 14 sections contained within it. I worked hard on cornering but also on pumping the trail and braking areas.
We began with gaining energy from the trail using pumping and controlled this speed and linked in a berm and a flat corner. Before long, I added a rock garden and a berm and switchback corner too. As we moved down the trail I added a fly out jump and a corner with a step on the exit. Now the lads were riding 9 sections and really beginning to flow and enjoy their new speed.
I moved onto the end of the trail and linked the drops into corners using line choice and correct braking. It soon came time to ride the trail end to end and they really began to ride smoothly and confidently. A few runs in and they began to show signs of mental tiredness so our session came to an end after four and half hours. I gave a demonstration of the same skill set in use on the woodwork of herts in my own riding, ending an awesome session!
I look forward to your ride updates guys.

A session for a son part 1

2012-01-03T04:26:00.000-08:00

Having Coached Nick twice before he wanted his son Jake to have a session. I began with set up and my simple skills check and Jake really took on board everything very quickly indeed.
once I had installed the correct skills we began as always with the drop technique and Jake applied his new skill set to confidently ride off the drops. The weather really began to turn for the worse so I moved us onto the skills trail to keep Jake interested and warm while his dad tried out the new singletrack. I worked on pumping and cornering with Jake and he used his footwork and looking as he could feel the massive difference it made when he did it. I added a rock garden and 2 more corners and Jake and Nick began riding together. The rain turned biblical and we stopped for a break and to warm up with a hot drink and we decided to do the session in 2 halves so Jake could have time to digest the session easier and also enjoy it in more pleasant weather.
Great start Jake and I'll see you soon.

Xmas break so far

2011-12-30T10:53:00.001-08:00

t

This year I decided to take a break from coaching to ride and build more stuff at Herts. I rode a memorable session with Llew and Nath where we rode the new singletrack drop together and Llew rode the 15ft tabletop too getting him the most air he'd had a
in ages.
Joe and marvelous Ed came for a ride Boxing day and it was great to ride with them both and see Ed come back to the woodwork since snapping his femur and ankle in Chatel earlier this year. Joe doesn't get to ride Herts as much as when he was younger but I remember teaching him to ride when he was still at school! The 27th was my birthday ride followed by curry and beers and it went down as usual.
Through out we have been gradually enhancing the new singletrack so it can be ridden by any level of rider and jumped or rolled, it really flows nice already!
Lastly, all of the riders I met, rode with and coached I'd like to thank you for making it an awesome year for me personally. New years resolution? ride more,smile more and keep that inner child giggling!

Building flow into Andy's riding

2011-12-22T08:11:00.000-08:00

Andy turned up as arranged on a beautiful blue sky day and over a coffee we chatted about his aspirations for the session. I began as always, with the skills check and it revealed body positioning and looking skills were missing but also uncovered a great technique that was only bogged down by a missing skill too. I made some set up changes and went to work.
We began with the drop technique and applying the skill set, both mental and physical to the technique. I worked hard on body positioning and it was Andy's first session on flat pedals too but in time he was landing perfectly. After a while we moved onto the skills trail and began working on not only riding the fourteen sections within it but also on linking them together using the correct braking areas.

We began with pumping undulations on the trail and used this gained energy to ride the following berm and flat corner. Later we added in a rock garden, berm and switchback and errors made were now being identified by Andy himself as he now knew what he was doing wrong.
We moved onto the fly out jump and the corner with a step on the exit and Andy used his skill set to get into the air again and we added the previous sections to it again and Andy began to really flow down the trail. I moved onto the end segment of the trail and worked hard on linking the drop technique and cornering together using line choice and braking areas. After several runs it was time for Andy to ride the entire trail end to end and even though he was tiring, he was riding faster and way smoother than before and his final run was almost perfect in all sections. Andy was tired both physically and mentally so our session ended to a cold beer in the sunshine sitting on the sofas around the herts shore fire.
A great end to an awesome session.

Rebuilding Mikes confidence

2011-12-19T08:36:00.000-08:00

,

Mike had been losing confidence in his riding ability and his search for coaching led him to myself.
Over a coffee, we chatted about his aspirations for the session and I could already build a picture of what I'd have to do.
The skills check revealed the missing skills but also found a great technique that he didn't even realize he could do as it was bogged down by his missing skills. i made the necessary set up changes and then we went to apply his new skill set to the drop technique. I worked hard on Mikes looking and body position in this technique and also I gave him 4 psychological questions to ask himself whenever he thinks about riding something new. In no time at all Mike was in the air and landing perfectly.

After Mike was riding the smallest drop, he decided to ride the larger one using his mental skills questions.
We moved to the skills trail and its fourteen sections and began working on linking the sections together using the identified braking areas.

I began with pumping undulations on the trail to gain speed from the trail and we used this speed to ride the following bermed and flat corner, Later adding in a rock garden, berm and switchback corner too. Now Mike was riding smoother already as his footwork, looking and body positioning really began to work for him and he could feel the difference.

We moved down the trail and worked on applying his skill set to a fly out jump and linked it to a flat corner with a step on the exit and soon Mike was airborne and he immediately said it felt easy. By now Mike was riding 9 sections and It was time to work on linking corners to drop offs and back into a corner. I worked on braking and line choice and even Though Mike was now visibly beginning to tire, he rode the whole trail end to end before declaring himself mentally tired. Our session ended right there and I am really looking forward to Mikes riding updates in the future.
HIGH5!!

A father and son mtb skills session

2011-12-17T09:12:00.001-08:00

James has been on a session with me before and wanted a session for his son Connor. James agreed to attend the session also so they could share the experience and as always I began with the skills check that showed me the areas I needed to work on. It was great to see that James had really worked hard on his skill set and Connor at aged 14 had natural ability.
We began with braking technique followed by applying the mental and physical skill sets to the drop technique and they were sailing through the air from the word go.

they were riding all three drops and recognizing any errors they made too. After a while, we moved onto the skills trail and worked on cornering and applying the skill set in all 14 sections that are present in the trail. Pumping, flat, bermed, off camber and switchback corners were linked to rock gardens, steps, drops and fly out jumps. I worked all the time on line choice and availability of grip in wet conditions. Before long they were riding the trail end to end. I didn't dwell too long before moving onto jumping proper using a 6ft tabletop as I didn't want to mentally tire them too quickly.
The slippy conditions were affecting James's mental skills but Connor was happy sailing into the air. Due to the effect of the conditions, I moved them onto jumping on the pump and jump trail and it was great to see both of them in the air and in control with a smile on their faces.
Our session ended as mental and physical tiredness began to show bringing to a close another great session. High5 !

Alan, Rob , Aaron and Gary from cyclone mtb club

2011-12-16T09:32:00.000-08:00

Alan, Rob , Aaron and Gary ride with Cyclone mtb club around woburn and came to me for an all round skills session. The skills check revealed body positioning, looking and footwork faults so after a change of set up I set to work.
First, I showed why the skill set, both mental and physical applies to the drop technique and in no time at all the boys were flying into the air and landing perfectly. They commented on the ease of this and that it was counter to advice they have read elsewhere. After a good few runs each we moved onto the skills trail itself and began working on linking the fourteen sections that are contained within it together.
We began with pumping and used the energy generated to link the following berm and flat corner. After a while I added a rock garden, berm and switchback corner to the mix and they all began showing me correct footwork, looking and body position in a conscious reaction, this was later to become an unconscious action. I showed why the skill set applied to getting airtime on a fly out and linked that to a corner with a step on the exit. Once again they began to fly and smiles all round was the order of the day. Lastly I worked on linking their drop and corner techniques together and the effect of line choice before it was time for them to ride the entire trail end to end. They began riding the trail one by one and the riding was noticeably smoother and faster too. each run was getting more confident and the wet conditions reinforced their skill set as they gained grip and control. Finally, they began riding the trail together and although there were errors, on each run the errors were corrected where they occurred as they were recognised by the rider themselves! The fading light and mental tiredness brought our session to and end and I can't wait to hear their riding updates in the future. Awesome session and the first snowy one of the winter.

Paul and Chris's day of changes

2011-12-10T07:58:00.000-08:00

Paul and Chris made the journey from Brighton for their session and I ran them through my skills check first. That showed me the missing skills and also uncovered a true nugget in any riders arsenal that they had no idea they both did. I changed their set ups and began working on their body positioning, footwork and looking.

We began with the drop technique and with their new skill set, both physical and mental they began landing perfectly. Eventually they rode all 3 drops with ease and the smiles never left their faces for the rest of the day.
I worked on braking technique too so that they could feel more in control in their over all riding.
We then moved onto the skills trail and its 14 sections and I began working with them on linking them all together.
Pumping was used to gain free speed and then linked into flat, bermed, switchback and off camber corners. Drops, fly out jumps, rock gardens and steps were all joined together as we worked our way methodically down the trail. I worked hard on linking the drop technique and cornering technique and the associated line choice before they began riding the entire trail end to end. Each run was faster and smoother as they began really blossoming with their new simple skills sets. Any errors were identifiable by themselves now as they knew why the error had happened.

For our final technique I began working on jumping tabletops and for this I used a 6ft tabletop. Neither of them thought they'd be able to jump it clean but in a few short minutes they were sailing over it with whoops of joy!

After a while I could see mental tiredness creep in but Chris still had enough in him to apply his mental skills again and ride the 6ft gap jump side too, bringing the session to a close.
Thanks for being part of an amazing day of progression. HIGH5!

Putting the spark into James's riding

2011-12-09T08:57:00.001-08:00

James was given a voucher for a gift and came to me after reading recommendations online.
The skills check revealed some good habits that were bogged down by errors. Bike set up was altered and I began working on his footwork in corners and also looking and body positioning elsewhere too.
We began with drops and used the 3 isolated drops to focus on body position and looking and James began lading perfectly and the ease of it all really took him by surprise.
We then moved onto the trail and began working on pumping the trails undulations to gain free speed.

The trail contains fourteen sections and I worked with James on linking them together using the correct braking and pedaling areas. Flat, bermed, off camber and switchback turns were linked to drops, fly out jumps, rock gardens and steps. As we moved along the trail working on the next sections, we added the previous ones too and when riding them it all began to come together nicely. We worked hard on linking the drop technique to cornering too and the line choice involved. James was using his 4 mental skills questions that I teach to allow HIM to decide if and what to ride as he applied his new skill set. James began riding the entire trail end to end and any errors were recognized by himself now and the speed he was riding was noticeably faster than before and with each run it became smoother too.
Our last technique we worked on was jumping tabletops and for this I use a 6ft tabletop and once again James used both the physical and mental skills to get into the air and sail over the jump.
After a good few goes the wind changed direction and we ended the session right there as it is dangerous to jump in a side wind.
Great session James and I can't wait for your riding updates!

Dave's 1 to 1 skills session

2011-12-08T08:03:00.000-08:00

Dave had previously been coached by another company and his search for more coaching led him to me. Over a coffee we chatted about his aspirations for the session and I set to work.
We began with the skills check and I could see that he needed work on body position, looking and foot positioning too. I changed his set up which dramatically enhanced his control and confidence too.
The first technique we applied both the mental and physical skills set to, was the drop technique. Dave found this so simple and began landing perfectly from the word go. The day was windy and getting worse so we moved onto the skills trail without doing the larger one to stop the wind being a factor.
I began with basic pumping and later on I showed why the skill set applied to more advanced pumping too.

We then used the acquired energy to ride the following bermed and flat corner and later added in a rock garden, a switchback and berm. The skill set was very much still a conscious reaction as I moved us down the trail to the fly out jump and corner with a step on the exit. Once again Dave applied his skills and sailed into the air on the jump and then rode the corner and step easily and things began to come together.
I then showed why the skills I teach applied to riding over logs and why the same technique applies in many other areas too.

We moved back onto the trail and I worked on roll downs and drops into corners and the correct line choice. Dave then rode the entire trail end to end quite a few times and the skills set really began to blossom in his riding as it moved into a more unconscious action as opposed to a reaction. We rode the trail end to end and it was awesome to see Dave choose whether to drop or roll and land perfectly to link it into the final corner.
We ended our session with a ride down a new piece of singletrack that I wanted to show him and he could feel himself choosing the correct techniques.
The wind was too strong for me to teach the tabletop so we spent more time on the trail before our session came to a close.
Awesome riding!

Getting James comfy on Jumps, drops and corners

2011-12-03T08:27:00.000-08:00

James turned up as arranged and Once we'd had a chat about his aspirations for the session I set to work and ran him through my skills check. The check revealed missing looking and body positioning skills but uncovered an unconscious technique he never knew he had. I changed his set up during this time and showed him why most importantly and James felt the effects straight away.

James wasted no time at all in landing perfectly and went on to ride all 3 drops with ease . Air under his wheels was his biggest fear and an hour into the session he was flying!
We moved onto the skills trail and its fourteen sections and I broke the trail into segments and we focused on each before linking them together.

We began with pumping and using the trails energy. We then used this energy to link into the following bermed and then flat corners. Next up, we added a rock garden, a berm and a switchback. James's looking and body position began to move from a conscious reaction into an unconscious action quickly.

I used a fly out to show why the skill set, both mentally and physically applied to jumping and also how to link drops into corners before eventually riding the entire trail. each run of the trail was way more fluid than the previous as he linked all 14 sections together using the identified braking areas.
I also showed James why the skill set applied to riding over fallen trees and how that same technique can be applied elsewhere in different contexts.

James had never jumped a tabletop before and that was soon to change as after a couple of runs he sailed over the 6ft tabletop time and time again with a massive grin on his face.
After a while the session came to a close and I gave him a tour of the woodwork and we chatted over a coffee to warm ourselves.
Great session to end the coaching week with!

Mark and Karen's 2 to 1 skills session

2011-12-02T14:48:00.001-08:00

Karen and Mark turned up as arranged and i chatted with them over a coffee about their expectations for the session and then we began.
The skills check revealed that I had to work hard on their cornering with Body, footwork and looking skills missing but found a natural technique for anything heading straight towards them that would prove to be as great a value in their riding as I said.
I corrected their set ups and this enhanced their over all riding position. I worked on braking technique to enhance control and confidence in their riding. We moved onto the drop technique. From the word go they began landing perfectly and used their mental skill set also. After a good few goes we moved onto the skills trail.

the trail has 14 sections contained within it and I broke it down into segments to allow us to focus on it easier.
Pumping, fly out jumps, drops, steps and rock gardens were linked to flat, bermed, switchback and off camber corners. We worked our way down the trail applying their skill sets and I worked hard on body position and line choice when linking drops into corners. The overall change in their riding was awesome as confidence and commitment really shone through.
Mark needs to focus on his body position for the time being and Karen just blossomed. Both Karen and Mark were riding stuff they would previously have walked through and the smiles beamed across their faces.
Mental fatigue was a factor as they called an end to our session to smiles all round.
I can't wait to hear of their riding exploits in the future.

Nick and Lee's 2 to 1 skills session

2011-11-29T08:55:00.000-08:00

After a delay in their arrival due to an accident, we chatted over a coffee and i gave them an outline for the beginning of the session.
I ran them through the skills check and that revealed some missing skills but also a very natural technique too. I changed their set ups and we moved onto the drop technique to apply both their mental and physical skill sets.

In no time at all they were landing perfectly after I had worked on their looking and body positioning. Even in high winds they were smooth and controlled.
After a while we moved onto the skills trail and I began working on the 14 sections contained within it. Pumping, fly out jumps, steps, rock gardens and drops were linked to berms, off camber, switchback and flat corners. We worked down the trail methodically and add the next to all the previous sections. Nick really began to fly through the trail and Lee became more and more comfortable with air under his wheels.

I worked on linking drops into corners and the benefit of correct line choice. Eventually, it was time to ride the entire trail end to end. Each run was smoother and faster as a result. Each time they walked back up they had a big grin each.
I then showed them the correct way to disconnect a bunny hop over a tree and also why the same technique could be applied to advanced pumping. This shocked the guys as they now could generate massive speed changes without pedaling.
Our session came to a close as darkness began to fall and I gave them a riding demonstration of jumping, pumping and manualing jumps all the way down the jump trail using the same skill set I had given them.
Awesome session guys!

Novembers public jumps and drops session

2011-11-28T09:01:00.001-08:00

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Piers, Paul, Andy, Eddie and Ian all met as arranged and after introductions and coffee I began.
I began with a single skill check and set up change and found the missing skills in the technique required and then set off to apply this to the drop technique.

In no time at all, they were riding all three drops and landing perfectly and the ease of it all took them by surprise.

The guys then began riding the drops in pairs to replicate trail riding where riders interfere with your skill set, particularly vision.
I did a little work on cornering just so the guys could apply their drop technique in a real life situation and link it to riding a corner and they used their mental skills questions accordingly.

Next, I showed why the skills apply to getting up in the air on a fly out jump and they all flew into the air with ease and linked that later on to a drop too. We had a short break and then I began on apply the same technique to jumping the 6ft tabletop and gap jump option too.

I gradually added speed as they focused on the remaining skills and soon they flew over the tabletop with ease and to whoops of joy and laughter. Some even used their mental skills to ride the gap jump too with the same ease and result.

I wanted to show them how and why to pump the trail and how to use the gained energy to decide whether to jump or pump through sections on the trail and each of them got the hang of it and began to ride faster for free!
Our session ended as they began showing signs of mental fatigue and I gave a riding demonstration of the same skill sets in use in my own riding on a jump and drop line on the herts woodwork.
A cold beer was had by everyone and we toasted the end of an awesome session.
High5 guys!

Kate and Paul's 2 to 1 skills session

2011-11-25T09:09:00.001-08:00

Kate and Paul rang me to book a session and today was the day. I could tell that Kate was apprehensive about the session so I eased those worries when chatting over a coffee.
I began with the skills check and that showed me the areas in each of them where work was needed.
I changed their set ups to enhance the skills I was correcting and the effect was immediate. Both could raise the front wheel easily and it was time to move onto the drop technique. Both Paul and Kate had a concerned look on their faces but that soon passed as they began landing perfectly from the word go!

Both of them were surprised at the ease of this technique once their skill set was applied both physically and mentally.
After a while I moved onto the skills trail and I began working with them on not just riding the 14 sections within the trail but also on linking them together. Flat, bermed, switchback and off camber turns were linked to steps, rock gardens , drops and fly out jumps.

I worked on how and why to pump the trail and gain free speed from the trail. They both used that energy to ride the following berm, flat corner and rock garden and two more corners. Footwork and looking were worked on as well as body positioning.
We moved down the trail and I used a upslope on the trail to teach whether to absorb or jump.
Kate looked worried and questioned even riding up it but that soon changed as she took off with a woop woop of joy. Paul was loving how easy it felt too and they linked that all to the previous sections too. I worked on line choice and linking drops and steep roll ins into corners and braking technique. Finally it was time for them to ride the entire trail end to end and the difference is their riding attitude was striking as well as the speed and control they were now riding at.
Paul was using his new body position to rail the corners with a big smile on his face and Kate began to use her footwork unconsciously too.
After a few runs, they called an end to the session as they could feel mental tiredness creep in so I finished with a riding demonstration of the same skills I teach in use in my own riding.
Amazing session and we all learned some great stuff :)

matt, Manny and Jai's private skills session

2011-11-23T08:18:00.000-08:00

I met the guys as arranged and over a coffee we chatted about their aspirations for the session and then we began.
The skills check revealed the present and missing skills and I changed their set ups accordingly.
We began with the drop technique and why the mental and physical skill sets apply and the guys started landing perfectly from the word go and all commented on how easy it now felt.

I moved us onto the skills trail and began working on pumping the trail and using the aquired energy to ride the next sections. I worked hard on their footwork, looking and body positions in all sections and soon they were linking flat, bermed, switchback and off camber turns to steps, drops, rock gardens and fly out jumps.

After a good few runs of the complete trail I moved us onto the 6ft tabletop and gap jump. Matt, Manny and Jai were worried about this at first but that soon passed as they sailed over the jump with ease. The 6ft gap jump proved no problem either and Jai was styling it too!
I moved us onto the pump and jump trail and began working on their pumping technique more so they could generate speed to jump a 9ft tabletop which was the 3rd section on the trail.

They began using the techniques by choice and choosing whether to jump or pump a section too and then they asked me how to manual through jumps.
I rode the entire trail for them and demonstrated both manuals and jumping different sections and then it was their turn

It took them a while to get it but all the techniques began to work but they were now beginning to tire mentally as well as physically and I called an end to the session.
I rode a high fast line on the woodwork so they could see the exact same skills in use in my own riding and then we celebrated the ride with a cold beer each.
Awesome session!

Pete's 1 to 1 session

2011-11-22T08:24:00.000-08:00

Pete came to me on recommendation and contacted me a few weeks back and today was the day. I could see when he turned up that I would need to change his set up too. Once I had ran him through my skills check and changed his set up technique suddenly became easier. I worked on footwork, looking and body positioning in all areas and the set up change enhanced these changes. I began with braking technique and moved his braking in straight lines from the rear brake and onto the front.

Pete said he'd never been able to get air under his wheels in all the years of trying and to his massive surprise, he was airborne 1st go on the kerb sized drop.

In no time at all he was on the middle drop riding it at different speeds for the same perfect landing.
I moved us onto the skills trail and worked on pumping the trail first. This took Pete by surprise as when he got the timing right he could feel the acceleration.

Pete then used this to ride the following berm, flat corner, rock garden and switchback berm. We began working on steep up slopes and why the skill set is used to generate momentum.
I showed the disconnected bunny hop and why a 2nd push is used not a scoop and to Pete's amazement his wheel rose up way higher than ever before.
Our session continued with more corners and rolling drop offs and line choice into corners and Pete began making errors due to mental tiredness and our session ended just as it began to rain.
Great improvements Pete and I look forward to our on going coaching connection.

Owen and Felicity's 2 to 1 session

2011-11-21T09:09:00.000-08:00

Owen and Felicity came up from Taunton for their skills session and have only been riding for 6 months! On meeting them I gave them an outline of the session and ran them through my skills check where I found foot, body and looking faults but also an very good technique was natural to them both but they didn't know they did it. I corrected their set ups and this enhanced the skills I needed to work on.
The first technique I covered was the drop technique where I also worked on braking technique also. Both Felicity and Owen applied their new skill sets to this technique and began landing perfectly from the word go.

After a while I moved us onto the skills trail and began working on the sections contained within it and linking them together. Pumping, flat, bermed,off camber and switchback turns. Rock gardens, steps, drops and fly out jumps were all worked on and linked to the previous sections.
They were beginning to flow through turns and using their mental skill set as well as the physical to link jumps and drops into the next sections. Before long they were riding the entire trail and linking the 14 sections together and any errors were identified by themselves without being told.
After a few runs of the trail I moved onto the 6ft tabletop and gap jump. This was something Felicity thought she'd never do on a bike but in a short while they both sailed over the tabletop and then rode the gap jump too, the smiles on their faces as they walked back up were massive.

They rode the jumps a few times before I once again, moved us on.

I Next used the pump and jump trail to further work on their pumping to generate speed from the trail and to enable them to choose whether to jump or pump a section.

Lastly, I moved onto a ladder drop to work on their peripheral fear and ride the 2ft drop at the end. They were tiring visibly by now and after a couple of goes I called an end to the session and gave them a riding demonstration of the same skill set I teach in use in my own riding on a high fast line on the woodwork.
Great session!

A private skills session for Stu, Martin and Mark

2011-11-19T07:28:00.000-08:00

The guys came to me through their scheme at Jaguar cars and on meeting I gave them my commitments for the session and beyond. I ran them through my skills check and discovered some footwork, body and looking faults were bogging down some great natural habits.
Once I had corrected their set ups we moved onto the 3 drops and applied their new physical and mental skill sets to the technique and the effect was immediate.

We then moved onto the skills trail and I worked with them on linking the 14 sections that are contained within it together using their identified braking areas. I began with pumping and using the trails natural energy Rather than the riders and we used this speed to ride the following bermed, flat, switchback corner and rock gardens. Later I added a fly out jump and corner with a step on the exit and the guys were really beginning to flow along the singletrack.

I worked hard on linking drops into corners and the best line choice in doing so before they all went to the top and began riding the entire trail with a new confidence and commitment. Each run that they completed prompted them to comment on how fluid it now felt and un hurried.
Martin had time restraints and had to leave just as I began to work on using the skill set to jump tabletops and gaps. I used the 6ft tabletop and gap side for this and in a few short runs they were both sailing over it perfectly.

Both Stu and Mark then used the 4 mental skills questions that I teach to decide to ride the 6ft gap jump side also and the smiles exploded across their faces.
Amazing progress guys, from acorns grow oak trees!

high5.

The kid in Tim returns!

2011-11-18T07:48:00.000-08:00

On meeting Tim as arranged we chatted over coffee and when he said he rode bmx as a child I said that child is still in there, later he'd know what I meant.
I ran him through the skills check and found looking and footwork faults but found he possessed a perfect unweight of the front wheel which is rare. It was clear I would have to work on Tim's mental skill set.
I altered his set up and we began with braking technique and then moved onto the drop technique which Tim commented on feeling so easy now he used his skill set.

We moved onto the skills trail and began working on linking the 14 sections on the trail together. I worked on pumping, flat, bermed, off camber and switchback corners, steps, rock gardens, fly out jumps and drops. Methodically, I moved us along the trail always adding the next section to the previous ones and soon he was flying along. Tim had told me that he'd loved to be able to jump again like he did as a kid and the fly out jump just sailed past beneath him.

Before long, he was riding the whole trail and each run flew past as he used footwork, looking and body position to control the speed he wanted to travel.

I showed how the skill set is used in riding over fallen trees etc and soon Tim was also bunny hopping too with ease!
By now it was clear that this was no ordinary rider and that the kid in him was emerging.
I moved onto the 6ft tabletop, something Tim was very wary of trying but that was soon overcome as he sailed over it giggling as he did! He rode the gap jump side too, his first ever.

We wasn't finished by a long chalk and next up was the pump and jump trail where I expanded on his trail energy management further and he was able to choose whether to jump or pump through any section. Tim really got to grips with this and was flying. The smile was now permanently etched on his face.

I brought Tim over to the alpine switchbacks and after a bit of tweaking, he rode those too! Tim was taking everything in his stride now and I didn't want it to end so, I brought him onto the woodwork to work on his fear of gaps and being on woodwork.

I gave him a control method first and then he confidently rode a 2ft high ladder to drop with ease before riding a higher one with a gap in it too. Tim was now speechless and I explained it was all him as he was riding not me.
Our session came to a close shortly after and I gave a demonstration of the skill set I teach in use in my own riding on a high, fast line on the woodwork.
We sat afterwards and had a cold beer each to cap an awesome session and I for one will be buzzing all night after that one!
High5!

Rebekah's 1 to 1 skills session

2011-11-17T08:36:00.000-08:00

Rebekah made the trip down from Derby for her session after hearing recommendations from her riding buddies.
On meeting I ran her through the skills check and found the missing skills but also something of great value in riding that she had no idea she did.
I found I had to work on looking and footwork, then later I was able to work on body positioning too. After making the necessary set up changes, it all began to change straight away.

I began with the drop technique and the ease of it using the skill set really shocked her. Rebekah's bike is quite large and she felt more comfortable on my own so she rode that a bit too and using her new mental skill set also she rode the next drop.
It soon came time to move onto the skills trail itself and I was able to work on basic pumping to harness the trails energy and use it rather than the riders and we used this to ride the next berm and flat corner, later adding in a rock garden and two further corners. Rebekah really began to use her looking and footwork and could feel the control and grip it offered. Body positioning enhanced this further as we added a fly out jump and corner with a step too. I then worked on linking her new drop technique to her cornering and Rebekah even rode the largest drop into the berm.
Now it was time to link all 14 sections contained in the trail together and each run was smoother and faster than the previous. Any errors were worked through and she identified them without me having to say.

We ended our session on the pump and jump trail and I worked on generating speed to enable Rebekah to gain airtime on a tabletop and the look on her face was a picture as she sailed into the air. After quite a few runs our session came to a close and a great session ended.
Awesome riding Rebekah!

Five attend a private group skills session.

2011-11-14T10:25:00.000-08:00

Dale, Graham, Gavin, John and Eton turned up as arranged and I gave them an outline for the beginning of the session. I began with the skills check as always and that reveals the missing and also the present skills and I adjusted their set ups accordingly.

In a short time, All of them were riding drops with a new body position and enhanced looking skills.

The lads were all surprised how easy it now felt as opposed to the old techniques they were trying.
From there we moved onto the trail and I began with pumping and using the gained speed to ride the following berm and flat corner. I later added the rock garden and 2 more corners into the mix and their new footwork, body position and looking skills enabled them to mange their speeds comfortably. As we worked down the trail, we linked fly out jumps, steps and drops to more berms, off camber and switchback turns and before long, they were riding the trail end to end. Each run that they did was smoother and faster than the previous ones and after quite a few runs it was time to move off the trail and onto our final task.
I have a 6ft tabletop and gap jump and none of the lads thought they'd ever be jumping it, but that changed quite quickly as they each applied their mental skills questions to decide whether they could ride them.

One by one they sailed over the 6ft tabletop and the ease of the technique surprised them as they applied the same skill set they had been using all session.

Then one by one , of their own accord they began riding the gap jump also. The session came to a close after they had all began to tire not just mentally but also physically and myself and Paul gave a riding demonstration of the same skill set in use in our own riding.
Great group session guys!

Steve travels from Sheffield

2011-11-11T15:41:00.001-08:00

Steve made his way down from Sheffield and stayed locally in a bed and breakfast so he could be fresh for his session.
The skills check revealed the present and also the missing skills and once I had made the necessary set up changes, I set to work.
We began with the drop technique and I worked on looking and body positioning here and the eefect was immediate, Steve was landing perfectly and effortlessly.
After confidently riding all 3 drops we moved onto the skills trail and I began with pumping and harnessing the trails energy and using it to ride the following bermed and flat corner. I added a rock garden and 2 more corners into the mix and Steve began to ride more fluidly.

I moved us down the trail and worked on fly out jumps and dealing with corners with a step on the exit and eventually to linking the cornering technique and drop technique together. Steve used his new mental skill set to great effect before riding the entire trail end to end a few times.
Each run was faster and more controlled than the last and even though there were a couple of errors, Steve knew what they were and how and why to correct them.

Finally it was time to show why the skills set applied to jumping tabletops and gaps. Steve took no time at all in clearing the 6ft tabletop and used his mental skills to be able to commit to riding the gap jump side also.

Steve called an end to the session himself as he began to tire and an awesome session came to a close.
Great session!

Changing Dave's position

2011-11-10T09:47:00.001-08:00

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I have coached Dave's Dad last year and he was keen to attend a session himself. On arrival at the skills area, I ran him through my skills check and adjusted his set up accordingly before working on the missing skills in his riding. Dave needed work on his looking and body positioning in all areas.
We moved to drops and the change in body position and looking made an immediate effect on his riding and I was even able to get him to begin styling it too.

We moved onto the skills trail and worked on linking the 14 sections contained within it together using the correct braking areas. I worked on pumping and really getting his lower half in on the act and we used the gained speed to rail the next corner. This theme continued along the trail as we methodically worked our way along the trail.

I worked hard on line choice, particularly when linking corners and drops and soon Dave was flying along the trail. Each complete run was smoother and faster than the previous and Dave commented on it feeling slower somehow.
I moved us onto the 6ft tabletop and gap jump side next and in a few runs Dave was sailing over both the tabletop and gap and once again making it look good!

Finally, I moved us onto my pump and jump trail and worked on pumping to gain enough energy to be able to jump or pump any section. The trail ends with a 180 degree return berm and soon Dave was pumping 2 sections, jumping the next 9ft tabletop, pumping the next 3 sections and jumping the step up. Run after run Dave's connection to the trail got better and better as his timing got better.

Dave rode it end to end a good few times before mental fatigue began to creep in and I called an end to the session in just under 5 hours.
Amazing improvements Dave and keep me informed of the progress.
HIGH5!

Darren makes the trip from Cardiff

2011-11-05T08:29:00.001-07:00

Darren stayed at a local hotel so he could be fresh for the session. On arriving we spoke about his aspirations over a coffee and that he couldn't manual or bunny hop . I began as always with the skills check. This revealed footwork, looking and body position faults and after I had re set his bike set up everything began changing. Suddenly he found that he could manual for a short distance and the smile beamed across his face.
We moved onto the drops and applied his new skills set to that technique and the ease of it all surprised him.

After a while, we moved onto the skills trail and I worked on pumping and using the harnessed energy to save pedaling. I demonstrated and then Darren linked it into the following 5 sections.

We linked pump bumps, flat, bermed, switchback and off camber corners to rock gardens, steps, fly out jumps and drops. I worked hard on line choice and also moved his body position in all areas and in the wet, he could feel the enhanced grip this offered.
It soon came time to ride the entire trail end to end and Darren really began to flow. Yes, there were a couple of errors but he was now fully aware of why and he knew how and why to correct it.
Finally, it came time to move onto what proved to be our final application of the mental and physical skill set, jumping tabletops.
Darren said to me at the beginning that he'd love to be able to jump over them and not have to do his usual roll over them. Due to an accident a while ago on a tabletop at a welsh trail center, Darren had a protective mechanism that needed to be recognised and therefore removed before he would commit and feel confident enough to apply his new skills set to this and soon he was ailing over the 6ft tabletop jump.

It was so cool to witness the emergence of the rider in Darren that was hidden away no longer.
Our session came to an end soon after as mental and physical tiredness began to appear.
Great session dude!

Bringing the rider out in Jo

2011-11-04T08:13:00.000-07:00

Jo came to me on recommendation from the tunnel hill trolls of whom I have coached a few of.
On meeting we chatted over a coffee and I explained the outline for our session and set to work.
The skills check showed me Jo had perfect footwork in corners but lacked looking and body position and also that she possessed a natural unweight of the front wheel that was held back by a missing skill. I adjusted her bike set up and the effect was immediate and Jo could feel it straight away.
We moved onto the drop technique and Jo performed the technique faultlessly and used her mental skill set to great effect.

After a while we moved onto the skills trail and I began work on the pump technique and harnessing the energy gained. Jo then used this to ride the following flat, bermed and switchback corners and even added in the rock garden. I moved us along the trail and I showed why her skills applied to jumping up fly out slopes and riding steps before linking all 9 sections together.

I then moved us down to the end of the trail and I worked on the common fear of rolling down steep slopes and having to deal with a corner too. I worked on line choice here also and before long, Jo was riding the entire trail end to end. Each complete run of the trail was faster and smoother than the previous one and Jo smile grew and grew.

I moved us onto the pumping trail and worked on developing the pump technique and worked on Jo's timing during this technique before mental tiredness showed and our session ended .
What a session Jo!

1st Herts night ride in years

2011-11-03T13:09:00.001-07:00

Over the past couple of years I have spoken to Nathan about the old Herts night rides and he always wanted to try it. Last night, Llew, Nath, Sam and myself arranged a ride up there.
I gave my old hope lights to Nathan and I used my new ones from www.troutie.com and off I went. Nath and Llew were apprehensive to say the least so I started by riding the hip drop to 9ft gap then wacko (in the pic) to the hip dirt jump. It felt so good to be there again at night and I rode with the others on the pump/jump trail, alpine switchbacks and skills trail as well as the lower woodwork. Going through the same lines at night as in the day relighted my night ride fire!

After maybe an hour an a half we stopped and chilled out around the fire with a cold beer to celebrate the start of the night rides there.
Thanks to Troutie lights, Mavic and surf sales.

The return of Jon

2011-11-03T10:26:00.000-07:00

Jon 1st came to see me 18 months ago and felt it was time to return to see what had stuck and what areas could be developed further. The skills check revealed that he needed further work on his looking and that he had a body position fault in corners.
I began applying the skills, both physical and mental to the drop technique and I even got to work on moving the bike in the air too.
We moved onto the skills trail and worked further on pumping and cornering as we began linking the 14 sections on the trail together. Flat, bermed, off camber and switchback turns were linked to rock gardens, pump bumps, fly out jumps, steps and drops. I worked hard on line choice too in drops and corners before finally, Jon began riding the whole trail end to end.
Each run was faster and more fluid than the last and after quite a few runs massive improvements were showing time wise too.
It was time to move onto jumping tabletops and maybe even the gap.

In no time at all, Jon was sailing over the 6ft tabletop and after a while he was able to answer yes to the four questions I give riders to answer when faced with anything new and he rode the gap jump too! Jon was so comfortable in the air now and I moved us onto the pump and jump trail where I developed his pump technique to gain speed without pedaling to be able to jump a 9ft tabletop.

Jon showed a good appreciation of the required technique as he connected with the trail and sailed over the tabletop.
Our session ended and I rode both the pump/jump trail end to end and a high line on the woodwork so Jon could see the same skills and techniques in my own riding.
Amazing session!

Developing Anthony's riding

2011-11-02T08:42:00.003-07:00

Anthony turned up as arranged at the Herts skills area and I put him through my skills check which reveals the present and missing skills and is also where I make set up changes.
After the check we moved onto applying the skills to the drop technique and from the word go, Ant was landing perfectly, much to his surprise.

Ant wasted no time in riding all 3 drops and applied his mental skill set too so it soon came time to move onto the skills trail and work on linking the 14 sections on it together.
I worked hard on his looking and body positioning in all sections on the trail. We worked on flat, bermed, off camber and switchback corners. Rock gardens, steps, fly out jumps and drops. I broke the trail into bite sized chunks and we worked on each before adding the next one and so on. I worked with Ant on line choice when linking drops into corners and before long it was time for him to ride the entire trail end to end a few times. Each run was more fluid and faster than the previous and Ant moved through conscious and unconscious action.

After a few runs it was time to move onto our final technique, jumping tabletops.
I worked on his body position and looking here also and worked through a protective mechanism and then he began sailing over it and with a massive smile on his face. After a few clears our session ended and I gave a riding demonstartion of the same skill set in action in my own riding whilst cornering, jumping gaps and drops.
Great session Anthony!

Julian, Jason, Steve and Simon berks on bikes

2011-10-29T09:35:00.000-07:00

Julian, Jason, Steve and Simon met as arranged at the herts skills area and I gave them my commitments for the session and beyond before running them through the skills check. I discovered that I had to work on their body positions and looking skills and I adjusted their set ups accordingly.
We began with the drop technique and applied both the mental and physical skills involved and they all began landing perfectly.

We moved onto the skills trail and I worked on the 14 sections on the trail and linking them together. Pumping was used to gain energy from the trail and we used this speed to ride the following berm and flat corner before adding the next rock garden, berm and switchback.

We worked on applying the skills set to fly out jumps, drops and steps too and by now they were all linking the top 9 sections together smoothly and controlled and way faster than before. I moved us to the end of the trail where I demonstrated line choice in linking drops into corners and the guys all rode it before finally riding the entire trail end to end a few times.

I then moved us onto the 6ft tabletop and gap section and the guys applied their mental and physical skill sets here also and all of them were sailing over the tabletop and some even rode the gap.

After a good few runs each we moved onto riding over logs disconnected bunny hops and speed manuals as our final techniques of the session. The session came to a close and I gave a riding demonstration of the same skill sets in use on the high woodwork at herts.
Great session guys!

Alison and Richards 2 to 1 session

2011-10-28T10:49:00.000-07:00

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Due to a cock up with dates on my blackberry I had to delay their morning session to the afternoon but we got underway as arranged later. I began with the skills check and I found looking, footwork and body position faults and I made some necessary set up changes.
Alison wanted to get comfortable actually getting her wheels off the ground and has been trying for ages. Once I corrected their missing skills, this came easier than she'd ever thought.
I moved onto the drop sections and began working on Richards body position and this enable me to start teaching him to style in the air whilst Alison's looking and body position meant she gor airborne and the look on her face said it all. After a while I moved us onto the skills trail and I worked on pumping and linking sections of the trail together using the identified braking areas. Flat, bermed and switchback turns were linked with a rock garden and they used their looking and body position to great use. After a while I moved onto the fly out jump and both got up in the air using the same skills as before and linked that into a corner with a step on the exit.
I worked on linking drops into corners before they both began riding the whole trail. Richard was flying by now and was 4 seconds faster over a 70m timed segment than he was earlier. Alison's confidence was blooming as she rode off the drop on the trail and linked it to the berm, something she'd not done before today. As it got darker our session ended. I gave a riding demonstration as always and they could see the same skills in use in my riding as I had taught them. I'm already looking forward to our next coaching session guys!

A session with Fluff!

2011-10-28T10:34:00.001-07:00

Fluff made his way down from Manchester after trying out various different coaching companies and wanting a skills session with myself.
I began with set up and the skills check where I found a natural unweight and good footwork and body position in corners. I could see I had to work on his looking massively and he knew it too.
We began with drops and he had a habit of sitting back and looking down so I corrected that quickly and Fluff could feel the difference straight away.

After a while we moved onto the skills trail and its 14 sections and I began on working on linking them all together. Flat, bermed, switchback and off camber turns were linked with rock gardens, steps, fly out jumps and drops. These were linked together using the speed gained from pumping the undulations on the trail.

We moved along the trail methodically, linking each new section to the last. I worked hard on line choice and looking when linking drops into corners before it was time to ride the whole trail end to end. Each run was smoother and less of a conscious reaction as the skill set, both mental and physical became more of an unconscious action.
Our final technique was jumping tabletops and I use a 6ft tabletop for this. Fluff knew he had issues with the front end dropping on take off beforehand so I knew I had to work on his body position and looking here too and soon he was sailing over it easily.

Our session ended there and I gave Fluff a riding demonstration of the same skills set in action in my own riding. Awesome session and I can't wait for our next meeting.
High5!

Rich and Gary's 2 to 1 skills session

2011-10-26T15:00:00.000-07:00

Richard and Gary came to me for an all round skills health check. After a mishap of Rich forgetting his front wheel and I getting one to replace it we began as always with the skills check. I found footwork and looking faults but also a body position habit that came to light once I had corrected those. Also, both had a natural unweight of the front wheel that was bogged down by a missing skill but not helped by their set up.
Once I had corrected these we moved to the first technique, drops.

I worked hard with them here on looking and body positioning and soon they were landing perfectly and also were using their 4 mental skills questions that I teach. After a while it was time to move onto the skills trail.
I segmented the 14 sections of the trail into 4 quarters and we worked on the sections contained within. I began with pumping and using the gained speed to ride the following berm and flat corner. After a while I moved to the next segment and added riding a rock garden and 2 more corners before linking all 6 together. Next, I showed why their skills set applied to jumping using a fly out jump and we linked that to the following corner and step before once again linking the previous sections to it. Lastly, I worked on linking drops into corners using footwork, looking and line choice before finally they began riding the entire trail end to end.
After a few runs where they both used their looking, footwork and body positioning to good effect we moved onto our final technique, applying the skill set to jumping tabletops.

It didn't take long for Gary to get to grips with it and he was sailing over the 6ft tabletop. Rich needed more work psychologically and I worked on his body position too before he too sailed over the tabletop. Gary washed out on the gap jump side when he forgot his looking and braked in the section but he knew what he did wrong and sailed over the 6ft gap jump too!
After a few clears each I called an end to the session with a riding demonstration of the skill set in use on the high herts woodwork.
Awesome session in many ways guys!

Jason and Paul's 2 to 1 mtb skills session

2011-10-25T08:59:00.000-07:00

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Jason and Paul turned up as arranged and I could see some set up changes were needed and that was something I did during the skills check.
After the skills check i began with a braking correction before applying their natural unweight to the drop technique. I worked hard on looking and body position here to maintain a controlled and even flight and I also worked on their mental skills too. Immediately they were landing perfectly and after a while we moved on.
The skills trail was next and I worked on pumping undulations on a trail. We then used that energy to ride the following bermed, switchback , flat corners and rock garden, I worked hard on their body position, looking and footwork in corners and gradually it started to become an unconscious action.

Next up I showed them why their new skill set made jumping easier and we linked that to a corner with a step on the exit too before linking in all the previously ridden sections too.
I used the end of the trail to work on line choice when linking drops into corners and that was something they grasped quite quickly before finally, riding the entire trail end to end. It's an awesome feeling to watch riders using the teachings and riding way better than previously and smiling all the way.

After a few runs we moved onto our final task. Jumping tabletops and gaps.
I demonstrated first and they then flew over the tabletop with absolute ease and again and again they sailed over it before they both used their new mental skills to confidently ride the 6ft gap jump side too.

Our session ended as the rain started and we chatted over a cold beer to celebrate an awesome session. High5 guys!

A mtb skills session for Dad and the boys

2011-10-24T08:32:00.001-07:00

Colin and his two boys, Henry and Will came to me for a session after I suggested that Dad joined in the session that their mum had booked for them.
I Began with a simple cornering exercise followed by an exercise to unweight the front wheel and get it to rise.
Next I brought them to the top of the skills trail to work on linking 3 sections of a trail together. I worked on their foot and body positioning and looking skills and they began linking them smoothly. Will really got to grips with getting his outside foot down in corners and his confidence grew over time.

I then took them to the pump trail and I worked on their riding position and pumping to gain speed. Henry took to this like a fish to water and was soon getting air too!

In time, they were all using less pedal strokes and were getting comfortable moving their body around on the bike to follow the trails undulations. Even Dad began getting air at some stages.

We moved back to the skills trail and the time spent away from their cornering had allowed it to settle in and they all were cornering and pumping too. Harry was trying to get air anytime he felt like it.
After a braking correction exercise our session ended as they boys were growing tired and I gave them a riding demonstration of the same elements I had taught them in use on a high and fast line on the woodwork.
I really enjoyed today's session and I look forward to their future riding updates.

Graham's mtb skills coaching session

2011-10-22T08:07:00.000-07:00

Graham has had coaching previously with a couple of different people and his journey to enhance his riding led him to myself.
I immediately ran him through my skills check and found that he needed work on looking and body positioning. I made the necessary bike set up changes and set to work.
We began with applying the new skill set , both mental and physical to the drop technique and the effect was something Graham could feel straight away and i was able to work on moving the bike in the air too so he could begin to style it.
I then moved us onto the skills trail and the 14 sections contained within it. I worked on pumping and speed manuals and how to use the trails energy rather than your own to gain speed.
We linked this with berms, switchbacks, off camber and flat corners, rock gardens, fly out jumps and drops. I worked very hard on his body positioning in corners and gradually it started to become an unconscious action.

We moved onto the 6ft tabletop and gap jump and in no time at all Graham was sailing across them both as his mental skill set was put to good use. After a few runs we moved onto a 9ft gap jump and once again, using his mental skills questions I teach, Graham sailed over the gap 3 times with ease.
Lastly, we worked on the application of the skill set in riding steep wooden berms and he found that far easier than he had thought previously.
Mentally, Graham was drained and called an end to the session and I did a riding demonstration of the skills set in use in my riding on a high fast line at herts.
Great session and a great end to an awesome week.

Taking the Sketchy out of their mtbing!

2011-10-21T09:49:00.000-07:00

Simon, James and Nigel came to me to get more comfortable jumping and also to develop their cornering. The skills check is where i made the set up changes that were necessary and where I found the areas in their skill sets that required work.
I began with the drop technique and used the largest drop to develop their looking and body positioning in flight and that enabled me to show them how to style it in the air.

I then moved to working on their cornering and linking sections together. we worked on pumping techniques and used the speed to link the 14 sections on the trail together. Flat , bermed, off camber and switchback turns, drops , steps and rock gardens were all linked using their skill set and they really began to shift down the trail.
I then moved to the tabletop and 6ft gap jump side to work on their physical and mental skill sets before turning it up a notch.
We moved onto a 9ft gap jump and once I had demonstrated it, they all rode it with confidence.

Simon began tweaking it in the air too.

They then started riding it together to replicate just riding a trail and their new body positioning in both jumping and cornering was really paying off.

Nigel was really railing the berm that came after the 9ft gap jump with commitment and confidence.

As did James, who was motoring all day and as his looking developed he began feeling slow as the vanishing point moved away from him.

Lastly we moved onto a dirt jump with a steeper lip as all three had said they have issues with those kind of take offs and I worked on that before linking it into a 12ft gap into a berm.
Simon was first to link the two together but Nigel and James soon followed.
The session ended with myself giving a riding demonstration of the skills in use in my own riding being applied to the same techniques we'd covered.
Great session guys!

Getting Tom, Phil and Chris airbourn

2011-10-20T09:11:00.000-07:00

Tom, Phil and Chris came to me wishing to learn to be comfortable in the air on jumps and drops. The skills check showed me what was missing in their skill set and also what was present but bogged down by bad habits. I made some set up changes and the change was dramatic.
The first technique I covered was the drop technique and using 3 graduated drops I demonstrated why the skills applied and the lads followed suit. I worked on their body positioning and looking skills, this enabled me later on to begin to teach them to make it look stylish in the air too!
I didn't want to use the whole skills trail for this session so I used the top 3 sections consisting of pump bumps, a berm and a flat corner. I showed them the basic pumping technique and they used the free speed gained to rail the 2 corners using their enhanced body position and looking skills.
I then Taught them the application of the dis connected bunny hop and also the bunny hop to ride over logs and they got to grips with that straight away with Tom bunny hopping cleanly and effortlessly over 2 ft. I then showed why the same techniques can be applied in pumping too.

Next up it was the basics of jumping using a fly out jump and soon they were linking this with more corners and even a drop.

I worked hard on line choice and the application of their 4 psychological questions I give riders when linking drops into corners and they could feel the speed come naturally and it felt un hurried.

Finally, it was time to move to the 6ft tabletop and gap jump. None of them had jumped gaps before and none had been able to jump tabletops with any regularity, but in a very short time they were all sailing over the tabletop easily.

Tom and Phil then applied their mental skills to ride their 1st ever gap jump and did it so easily.

Chris was at a corporate coaching day the day before and I could see he and others were beginning to tire mentally so I ended the session with a riding demonstration by myself and they could see the exact same skills in use in my own riding on the woodwork and dirt of Herts.
Amazing day of progression guys!