Core Skills Mountain Bike Course – 2 Day

Cyclewise’s Mountain Bike (MTB) Core Skills program is a comprehensive and hands-on initiative designed to elevate riders’ abilities and confidence on challenging off-road terrain. Tailored for mountain biking enthusiasts of all levels, this program offered by Cyclewise focuses on honing fundamental skills essential for tackling varied trail features. Participants engage in practical sessions that cover techniques such as body positioning, balance, braking, and efficient bike handling. The program also emphasizes the importance of understanding trail dynamics and navigating obstacles with precision. With Cyclewise coaches guiding participants through each module, Cyclewise’s MTB Core Skills program not only enhances riders’ technical proficiency but also instills a deeper appreciation for the art and joy of mountain biking. Whether riders are novices looking to build a solid foundation or experienced cyclists seeking to refine their techniques, Cyclewise’s MTB Core Skills program provides a valuable and immersive learning experience, contributing to a safer and more enjoyable mountain biking journey.

We have our very own coaching trail here in the Lake District where you can learn away from the actual trails, allowing for a great learning environment.

Following training, you will see an immediate improvement in your riding and experience a boost in confidence. You’ll understand how changes in your body position, footwork, and where you are looking, can affect the way your bike behaves on the trails. You will also leave with the ability to tackle steeper terrain, corner with greater control, and negotiate small trail obstacles with ease.

So what are the Core Skills?

Bike Set-Up – Getting the bike to work for you, looking at the saddle, suspension and brake set up.
Weight Shift and the Cone of Movement – The bike moves, not you! Allowing freedom of movement is where riding really starts.
Track Stands – Stabilizing the bike. This is one of the most important skills to learn to progress your riding.
Manual Front Wheel Lifts – The ability to lift the front wheel over an obstacle using body position and weight shift.
Power-Assisted Front Wheel Lifts – The ability to lift the front wheel at slow speed over an obstacle.
Rear Wheel Lifts – The ability to lift the rear wheel over an obstacle.

As well as the core skills, we give you a thorough breakdown and understanding of climbing, descending, and braking. The course concentrates on the technically correct way to perform the MTB core skills required to become a more competent and confident rider. Our Core Skills MTB coaching course is also ideal for those mountain bikers who may be looking at completing one of our British Cycling Leadership Awards in the future but are not sure about their own personal riding skills.

Once you have got to grips with the techniques on day 1, you will be given the opportunity to transfer these skills to the trail on day 2 under the guidance of our expert MTB coaches. Using video feedback (where necessary) we will show you where you are going wrong and right and show you how much more you can get from your biking with these skills dialed in.

Is This Course For Me?

This course is not for complete beginners. To get the most out of the course you should have a little experience of riding MTB’s.

If you are unsure whether this is the course for you please do not hesitate to contact us for a chat, we will be happy to help.

Note: This course is not suitable for e-bikes. Please see our e-bike skills page for details of our e-bike only core skills course.

Instructor Ratio: 1:6 maximum – we keep our training ratios low to ensure our tutor can spend the time required with each person on the course.
Course Cost: £195
Course Venue: Whinlatter Forest Park

Link to Google Map

If you are interested in joining us on our 2 Day Core Skills course but you can not attend any of the available dates, please e-mail bookings@cyclewise.co.uk  to express your interest.

We can also provide Private Coaching. Please click here for more information.

If you would like to find out more about our Core Skills Mountain Bike Course please contact us or e-mail bookings@cyclewise.co.uk We will be very happy to help.

Core Skills Mountain Bike Course Reviews

Just a quick note to say how much I enjoyed my 2 day core skills course. What a really good team of people you have, they’re all polite and very helpful. Special mention to Dave Blyth, (the man who made me realise how bad my riding has been over the last 26 years!), for his patience, humour, and professionalism. I still can’t believe that I was taught so much in such a short time, without actually realising it. Clipless pedals have their place, but not on my bikes….have now changed both to ‘Flatties’!  Off now to get some practice!
A Big Thank you to you all and I WILL be back for another helping.

I just wanted to drop you a line to thank all your staff for an amazing weekend. First, to Nick for his instruction and hospitality over the weekend he is a credit to your team. And to the guys in the store who also made my weekend, with their great service and sound advice. So I will be back for more.

Very very professional approach from Instructor Nick throughout. I particularly appreciated the advice given on general maintenance and repair which was not part of the course. Will definitely come back for further development.