As most of us have ridden a bike since we were small it’s not always the first thing we think of taking a lesson in, but Sportsister’s Louise Hudson headed to the Lake District to try out a mountain bike skills course and see if it makes a difference to her time on the trails.
I’ve done a bit of mountain bike riding, but I would still class myself as firmly in the novice category. Most of my riding has been done with my boyfriend, who is more experienced and if I’m being honest a bit more of a gutsy cyclist.
As a result I often end up getting frustrated at myself for not being able to keep up and riding on sections of trail that I’m not confident about getting down in one piece. Not surprisingly, this doesn’t seem to be improving my riding at all. Perhaps a skills course is just what I need to increase my confidence and learn the basics of this thrilling sport?
The Lake District is home to some of the UK’s best off road biking and I was invited to attend a course close to Penrith run by Cycle Active.
Chris Ford set up Cycle Active in 1996 and has since taught skills courses to everyone from members of the armed forces to the Olympic Talent Team; surely he could get me biking better than ever before!
I started at Brougham Hall where Cycle Active is based. It’s the perfect place to brush up on some core skills before heading out on a trail.
“Whoever joins our course, whatever they think their skill level is, we like to work with them in the grounds of Brougham Hall,” Chris tells me upon arrival. “If you take away all of the dangers and the pressure by learning on the grass then you can really open people up to progressing.”
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After getting my seat position right (it should be in line with your hip bone) we talk through the gears. After that it’s on to braking.
“A lot of people’s problems with mountain bikes actually come from their confidence as much as personal ability. Learning how to use the brakes in a really secure way addresses this,” Chris explains.
“It sounds really simple but by using the angle of your feet to make sure all the force of your body goes through the bottom of the pedal means that you never skid. You almost entirely eliminate the risk of going over the handlebars.”
That sounds reassuring and after a short time riding in the grounds, I’ve mastered the braking technique. While it seems obvious to know how to stop correctly, before this lesson I was unaware of the body position I should adopt or how my feet should be on the pedals.
Knowing that I could stop safely however steep the trail was a big confidence boost. From brakes to corners; again something most of us would assume we know. But not necessarily so, Chris tells me.
I soon find out that going round corners smoothly and quickly requires lots of different elements to be mastered simultaneously.
I tried to build up from the basics by dropping my outside foot down and pointing my inside knee into the turn. From there I learnt to lean the bike and then turn my shoulders and head as I came through the corner, so I can help guide the bike out of the turn and start looking for the next bit of trail.
All sounds straight forward but it took some mastering to remember all the elements in succession. Then it was time to take my new found skills out in the woods, just a short cycle away from the Cycle Active centre.
Chris was armed with his video camera so I could watch myself in action, and really understand his critiques. This was a great way of improving my body position and ensuring my feet were in the correct stance on the pedal, after all the camera never lies.
We also worked on lifting the front of the bike so you can get over roots and logs. While you naturally try to lift the front of the bike, Chris instead teaches me to pump the front wheel and handlebars which springs it up and then the bike very easily sails over small obstacles.
This technique is a key building block for progressing into an intermediate or an advanced mountain biker, and once you have it mastered you can use it to ride over drop offs and for bunny hops too.
The final part of the day concentrated on technique for getting up hills, probably one of my least favourite parts of bike riding! I’m starting to feel quite shattered by this point, and despite having a great pair of padded shorts on, my rear is also feeling it.
At least I won’t be sitting on the seat for this bit, or so I thought.
My natural instinct when going up a hill is to stand up, but for very steep or long climbs or ones on loose ground this isn’t the case. Chris managed to find a hill that ticked all three of these boxes for me to practice on!
As soon as I lift from the saddle there is very little weight going through to the back wheel, and once I pedal my wheel spins and the bike stops moving.
So I learn to remain seated but slide to the front of the saddle, pedalling very smoothly so I have a continuous supply of power to the back wheel and that, in theory, will get me up any steep climbs.
The next day I head out on a fantastic trail that Chris thinks has one of the most scenic downhills in the whole of the Lakes. A big claim, but I wasn’t disappointed.
The long descent brings you down the side of Ullswater, and it’s spectacular. The ride is challenging without being unmanageable and my new found skills are put to good use as I ride across all terrains, with some fairly long climbs and that brilliant descent.
I’m certainly a more confident rider, and feel like I am now in control of the bike rather than the other way round.
Top tips for beginners
- Anticipate gear changes. Don’t leave it too late as you don’t want to be changing gear going up a steep hill or when you are pedalling really hard.
- Master correct braking technique and your confidence will rocket. When braking use the angle of your feet to make sure all the force of your body goes though the bottom of the pedal.
- When cornering drop your outside foot down and point your inside knee into the turn, all the weight will then go right down through the bottom of the bike and make it really stable.
- Focus on getting the speed into the corner correct so that you don’t have to touch the brakes while you are turning.
- For very steep, long climbs on loose ground stay seated but slide to the front of the saddle.
- When you want to lift the front of the bike over roots, logs or other obstacles pump don’t lift!
To have your own lesson with Chris call Cycle Active on 01768 840 400 or visit www.cycleactive.co.uk for more information. Prices start at £195 for a private day lesson.
Sportsister stayed at Brooklands Guest House in Penrith www.brooklandsguesthouse.com
Louise Hudson, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
