Mountain Bike Coaching & Skill Development
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Some people think you just buy a bike and then go ride it! For some, this is a fine solution... but, it's a great idea to start building from the ground up with a foundation of good skills
and techniques which will get you riding with more confidence, being able to take on more features and explore more trails, and ultimately enjoying your riding a whole lot more. You've made the investment in buying a bike - now it's time to make the investment in yourself! |
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MTB Skill Development Sessions - Lysterfield & You Yangs - 2023
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Start your riding journey with solid foundation of skills on which to build your confidence and ultimately get more enjoyment out of your riding!
We will gradually introduce and develop new skills, so that by the end of the session or program you will have the capability and confidence to not only take on basic trails and single track, but even have an opportunity to tackle obstacles and what we mountain bikers call “technical” stuff - all in a supportive and encouraging environment. And of course, one of the more important elements of the program will be the friendships you make along the way - we will all support and encourage each other as we develop as riders. Come along, join in the fun, and let’s get rad! Group size limited to 5 participants so you will have individual attention from your coach, with lots of opportunity for practice and feedback, and riding trails! Skills developed:
Group programs periodically on offer at Lysterfield and The You Yangs:
* Interested in a particular session type and don't see any dates listed? Get in touch and I will try to schedule one in to suit you! |
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MTB Foundations Session
Your skill level: Designed for beginner mountain bikers. You might have only ridden your mountain bike on gravel trails/roads so far, or you might have explored some green single-track but not be very comfortable on trails, or are coming back to the sport after an absence or injury. Set yourself up with a solid foundation of skills, gain confidence faster and take the guesswork out of riding. Stop listening to that overly helpful partner or friend, put down the YouTube videos, and get direct help with your skills from the outset. Session content: Skills covered include body position, braking, cornering, and flowing the trail. We work on "unlocking" you from sitting on the seat. Get comfortable shifting your body around to control the bike, instead of the bike controlling you. With lots of time for practice and feedback from your coach (me), all while exploring the trails at Lysterfield / You Yangs. Upcoming Sessions: Lysterfield Lake Park - Sat 11th Feb 10am-12pm Program Duration: 2 hour session Investment: $130 per person |
MTB Lower-Intermediate Session
Your skill level: Designed for confident-beginner to early-intermediate mountain bikers. You are confident riding most green trails, and have at least a basic understanding of body position, gears and braking. You may have attempted some blue trails, but find that you need to walk some obstacles, and have difficulty getting around tight corners, either up or down. Perhaps you have had some falls, and/or are unsure of how to tackle some obstacles and progress your skills to be able to ride a variety of blue technical features with more confidence. Session content: We will quickly revise the fundamentals of body position, braking and cornering, to make sure you are building your skills from a solid starting point. We will then get into some more advanced cornering/switchback techniques, and an introduction to obstacle management. Held periodically at Lysterfield and The You Yangs. Upcoming Sessions: The You Yangs - Sun 19th Mar 1pm-3pm Program Duration: 2 hour session Investment: $130 per person |
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MTB Upper-Intermediate Session
Your skill level: Designed for confident intermediate mountain bikers. You have a sound understanding of body position, gears and braking. You are relatively confident riding most blue trails, and most of the time can ride through a variety of blue technical features (roots, rocks & tight corners), although you are most comfortable at a slow and controlled pace. You may have attempted some black trails but find the features intimidating, and would like to progress your skills to ride with more confidence, at more speed, and with more fluidity. You would like to progress to harder obstacles. Session content: We will quickly revise the fundamentals of body position, braking and cornering, to make sure you are building your skills from a solid starting point. We focus on the skills required to master a variety of obstacles such as logs, rock gardens, drops, loose terrain and tricky combination sections. Understanding your weight placement on the bike, preloading your shocks, and different types of effective front wheel lifts are covered. Overcome your fear, boost your obstacle management techniques and build your confidence in challenging terrain! Held periodically at Lysterfield and The You Yangs. Upcoming Sessions: The You Yangs - Sun 19th Mar 10am-12pm Program Duration: 2 hour session Investment: $130 per person |
Half-Day Skill Development Intensive
Your skill level: You would describe yourself as beginner to early-intermediate in mountain biking, or perhaps you have completed a 'foundations' session in the past and want to progress and/or refine your skills. You generally feel OK on most green trails, and you may have attempted some blue trails, but find that you need to walk some obstacles, and have difficulty getting around tight corners, either up or down. Perhaps you have had a fall(s), coming back from injury or a long break from riding, and/or you are unsure of how to tackle some obstacles and progress your skills to be able to ride a variety of blue trails with more confidence. If you are a beginner, you would describe yourself as having good body awareness and confidence, and tend to be able to take on new physical tasks quickly. Session content: We will quickly revise the fundamentals of body position, braking and cornering, to make sure you are building your skills from a solid starting point. We will then get into some more advanced cornering/switchback techniques (both up and down), pumping/flowing the trail, climbing skills, obstacle management and front wheel lifts. Held periodically at Lysterfield and The You Yangs. Upcoming Sessions: The You Yangs - Sat 4th March 10am-1:30pm Program Duration: 3 hours of coaching Investment: $180 per person |
3-Session Skill Development Program
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Your skill level: Designed for beginner mountain bikers.
You might have only ridden your mountain bike on gravel trails/roads so far, or you might have explored some green single-track but not be very comfortable on trails, or are coming back to the sport after an absence or injury. Set yourself up with a solid foundation of skills, gain confidence faster and take the guesswork out of riding. Stop listening to that overly helpful partner or friend, put down the YouTube videos, and get direct help with your skills from the outset. |
Session content: We cover the foundations (body position, braking and cornering skills) in the first session, then over the next two sessions we develop those further into climbing skills, switchbacks, getting up and down obstacles, and pumping/flowing the trail. Structured in an extended format over three sessions to allow for lots of time to develop each skill, get plenty of feedback from your coach, and put it all into practice while exploring the You Yangs or Lysterfield MTB trail network.
Program Duration: A series of 3x 2 hour sessions Investment: $350 per person for the program. Dates: next program coming soon |
1:1 or Small Group Private Coaching
The topics I cover in individual coaching sessions can range from essential bike handling skills through to mastering more advanced techniques. Skill development underpins confidence and safety on the bike. If you have something specific you want help with, or just want to fast-track your learning without a group curriculum, individual lessons are the way to go!
Some techniques I particularly love to help people develop:
Following a quick discussion and assessment of your current skill level, I will determine which skills you need to work on the most to gain maximum benefit, across a single or multiple sessions, and within a given time-frame if necessary.
Location: Usually at Lysterfield Lake Park or You Yangs MTB park; or other locations available.
Investment: $160 for 1 person for a 2 hour session (or $130 for 1.5 hours).
For duo bookings (2 participants):
** considerations: a longer session will allow more time to cover more things, and more opportunity for practice and feedback - however requires more stamina and focus on the part of the participants, leading to information-overload for new riders.
*** other session durations and frequencies available - contact me to discuss your needs!
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* * COVID-19 REQUIREMENTS * *
BY ATTENDING A COACHING SESSION, YOU AGREE THAT YOU WILL:
- not attend or participate if you are feeling unwell or experiencing any cold, flu or fever type symptoms, or suspect any recent exposure to COVID.
- follow all current directives from Victorian Government authorities, including travel to and from the coaching location.
- practice good hygiene before, during & after the activity.
- not share any personal gear or equipment.
- maintain at least 1.5m between participant(s) and coach at all times.
- maintain at least 3m between riders whilst riding.
- maintain strictly 1.5m between parked vehicles.
Some techniques I particularly love to help people develop:
- Cornering. Sounds simple; but learning to take a corner well underpins pretty much everything else!
- Learning to control the bike, rather than having the bike control you
- Descending with confidence and enjoyment, rather than just hanging on for dear life
- Confidently negotiating trail features such as logs, rollovers, drops, rock gardens, etc
- Climbing efficiency, confidently and with more power
- Improving your balance to manouver through narrow, tight and steep areas
- Achieving that essence of 'flow' that all the cool kids rave about
- ... and many more!
Following a quick discussion and assessment of your current skill level, I will determine which skills you need to work on the most to gain maximum benefit, across a single or multiple sessions, and within a given time-frame if necessary.
- A progressive skill development program tailored specifically for your individual cycling needs
- One-on-one sessions ensure personal attention and immediate feedback so that you can integrate the skills into your riding straight away
- Work at your own pace and to your skill level, with expert and gentle guidance
- Perfect if you have specific goals or a target event that you are working towards
Location: Usually at Lysterfield Lake Park or You Yangs MTB park; or other locations available.
Investment: $160 for 1 person for a 2 hour session (or $130 for 1.5 hours).
For duo bookings (2 participants):
- $130 per person for a 2 hour session
- $160 per person for a 2.5 hour session
- $190 per person for a 3 hour session (with an optional short break in the middle)
- $160 per person for a 3 hour session (with an optional short break in the middle)
** considerations: a longer session will allow more time to cover more things, and more opportunity for practice and feedback - however requires more stamina and focus on the part of the participants, leading to information-overload for new riders.
*** other session durations and frequencies available - contact me to discuss your needs!
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* * COVID-19 REQUIREMENTS * *
BY ATTENDING A COACHING SESSION, YOU AGREE THAT YOU WILL:
- not attend or participate if you are feeling unwell or experiencing any cold, flu or fever type symptoms, or suspect any recent exposure to COVID.
- follow all current directives from Victorian Government authorities, including travel to and from the coaching location.
- practice good hygiene before, during & after the activity.
- not share any personal gear or equipment.
- maintain at least 1.5m between participant(s) and coach at all times.
- maintain at least 3m between riders whilst riding.
- maintain strictly 1.5m between parked vehicles.
