These Are a Few of My Favorite.....Skills!

‘These are a few of my favorite things ‘ …..SKILLS

With our apologies to Julie Andrews.

Yes, we are dating ourselves paraphrasing Julie Andrews. However, today’s blog is all about our FAVORITE SKILLS. But first let’s define a skill. Websters says “Skill is the ability to do something well, arising from talent, training, or practice. In the world of mountain biking, we use skills to successfully perform maneuvers. For example, cornering is a maneuver that requires six skills (take a clinic or camp to learn the skills required to corner like a pro). Some of those same skills overlap into DH riding. It’s more efficient to practice the skill so we can apply it to multiple maneuvers and various types of terrain. Rather than just learning to ‘jump’ let’s dial in pressure control so we can learn to properly use our suspension when we are riding as well as jumping. So, learn and practice the skills to develop muscle memory so we can DO SOMETHING WELL.

Our professional coaches all have different favorite skills. Coach Lilly down in N.C. says “my two favorite skills are pumping because it is so useful for generating speed and staying in control of the bike and trail scanning because you can figure out proper body position, line choice and speed for the next section of trail by looking ahead. Coach Dale, over in Maine loves to be poppy and playful on the trail so his two favorite skills are timing/coordination and terrain awareness. Being able to read the trail to know where to pop and when to compress. Coach Glenn in CT enjoys exploring the skill of brake modulation as it relates to riding with flow and helping to ride faster (and safer).

The main difference between an intermediate rider and an advance rider is the grasp of the Six Skills of Mountain Biking (yes there are only six skills). What we often see is a rider who wants to excel at a maneuver, jumping for example, will just focus on jumping. Instead of breaking down the maneuver to its individual skill(s). If you want to excel at certain features master the skills required prior to tackling the maneuver. You will have a greater chance of success.

We all have a preference to what we enjoy riding. I prefer steep, gnarly tech (pro enduro lines). Some of our pro coaches prefer machine-built jump lines, while others prefer climbing. Whatever your favorite type of riding or features, one, some or all of the six skills are required to successful ride that type of terrain. We can call those “YOUR FAVORITE SKILLS”. Figure out you what you like to ride and send me an email at patrick@dynamiccyclingadventures.com. And I will let you know what your favorite skills should be!

As always let me know your questions or comments.