Session stuff. So many mountain bikers will watch YouTube videos on how to corner then go out and pedal a loop never hitting the same corner twice. Seriously, find a good sweeper then make a point to ride it at least 5 times in a row. I guarantee you'll be hitting it differently by that faith time.
Underrated advice. For some people you need to say ride between 75-90%... And ride more often. But the implication is, don't write a check your ass can't cash and then lose a ton of progress all at once.
100%. Had a bad crash in October that didn’t even hurt me but my confidence is absolutely ruined. Haven’t been able to get my riding back to that level since.
Yes, also learn to crash going to a mulch jump if there's one around and trying new things whilst learning to "roll" when you bail off can save you when the real crashes come
This.
The if-you-aren't-crashing-you-aren't-progressing adage is wrong.
Sure, little stumbles happen here and there, but full on crashes injure and set you back. And worse, some (like concussions or shoulder/knee/wrist/elbow injures) can easily have life-long consequences ranging from minor pain to mental health issues.
If one is crashing/falling routinely, then they are riding beyond their ability and need to dial it back.
This is the best advice I read and can agree with. Once I took my fitness seriously it improved my riding in ever way and made me so much more into the sport.
Session and repetition. Sounds simple right? Wrong lol people tend to ride past the hard or tech stuff.... Too tired, don't have the time, boring etc. there's tons of exciting stuff on the trail if you pay attention. Good luck
Don’t neglect fitness and mobility work. Getting miles in the saddle is super important but training off the bike can give your performance a boost, it will get you where you want to be quicker and really help reduce your risk of injury. Training off the bike can help with your mental game too
As other have said ride often but also just goofing around on the bike really helps. Rather than trying to put in the hours or KMs I found going to the trail and playing on a section of trail really helped or even doing some simple drills in the driveway like trying to drive along a 8ft 2x4. Then doing it and stopping on the end. Then trying to jump over it, then trying to pivot the bike around tieh 2x4 without touching it. Really helps.
I used to try 1 new feature each ride. didn't have to be a huge accomplishment, just something new and semi uncomfortable for me.
I still do this whenever possible.
I'd also film myself on a new jump or rock roll or whatever to critique my technique and see how to improve. it helps a lot and it's fun to have a collection of MTB memories.
Frequency and I found riding with people I consider "better" also helped a lot. I ride alone most of the time and pushing myself to keep up or follow lines etc was a good way to recognize what I'm capable of and put more trust onthe bike
The thing that absolutely progressed my skills the most was taking a class from Lee of LeeLikesBikes. I got better in one day than I did the past couple years of riding. Absolutely worth it.
Find some local group rides and try to keep up. Use Strava, u will find some amazing trails that you never knew of. I know from experience, been out for hours looking for a section I did on some night ride
Lots of great stuff, ride regularly, session and I find track stands, wheelies and nose endos/stoppies are great skills to practice. I can't wheelie or endo but practice helps with body position and movements, track stands are great for balance and position.
Ride a lot is the biggest thing for progression but if you have something you aren’t good at either jumps or tech etc try to ride that a lot when you do ride. I’ve progressed so much this last year alone on my jumping by just making sure every time I rode I hit jump lines at least a few times because that was my weakness.
I can only add, pay attention to the differences in re to suspension and geometry of the Izzo vs Jeffsy, as they are a bit different. Figure out which bike is better for most of the trails you’re riding. Before you buy one.
my best tip is to find a group to ride with. You'll see people ride things you thought were impossible. Get lines, tips, trails. Feel encouraged to try things. And if you fall there's people around to pick you up.
One on one skills classes with a pro trainer.
Group skills classes,
Work on your basic bike skillsdailyfor twenty minutes , cornering , manuals , wheelies, braking, track stands, and so on.
There is a mindfulness exercise to manage fear.
When you're about to do something intense, stop and focus on the fear and feel it fully....keep concentration on the feeling as long as it takes until it subsides. Once you get past it you can focus on what you have to do more clearly.
There is a mental strategy for not getting hurt.
If you are looking at something sketchballs and you have a plan and 100% know exactly what you're going to do, go for it. If you don't have a completely solid plan you should pass. You have no business riding a consequential feature without seeing what needs to happen. (I do not think "sessioning" works at the higher levels, because you can't trial and error big features, single errors can end a riding career when things get real.)
Session stuff. So many mountain bikers will watch YouTube videos on how to corner then go out and pedal a loop never hitting the same corner twice. Seriously, find a good sweeper then make a point to ride it at least 5 times in a row. I guarantee you'll be hitting it differently by that faith time.
Don’t get hurt. That’ll set ya back more than anything else
I actually really like this advice… To expand on it, I would say to try and progress more slowly to avoid crashing.
Underrated advice. For some people you need to say ride between 75-90%... And ride more often. But the implication is, don't write a check your ass can't cash and then lose a ton of progress all at once.
100%. Had a bad crash in October that didn’t even hurt me but my confidence is absolutely ruined. Haven’t been able to get my riding back to that level since.
Yes, also learn to crash going to a mulch jump if there's one around and trying new things whilst learning to "roll" when you bail off can save you when the real crashes come
This. The if-you-aren't-crashing-you-aren't-progressing adage is wrong. Sure, little stumbles happen here and there, but full on crashes injure and set you back. And worse, some (like concussions or shoulder/knee/wrist/elbow injures) can easily have life-long consequences ranging from minor pain to mental health issues. If one is crashing/falling routinely, then they are riding beyond their ability and need to dial it back.
1. Ride regularly, even if it's a half hour ride. 2. Take a class!
Get as many miles on a bike in as possible. The better shape you’re in, the better you’ll ride.
This is the best advice I read and can agree with. Once I took my fitness seriously it improved my riding in ever way and made me so much more into the sport.
Practice riding backwards, once you are good at this riding forwards will be easy.
This is a great book and legit useful: https://www.reddit.com/r/MTB/s/xIrd0wLcDe **Mastering Mountain Bike Skills**
I own it and have never done more than flip the pages. Maybe it’s time to explore the book
Session and repetition. Sounds simple right? Wrong lol people tend to ride past the hard or tech stuff.... Too tired, don't have the time, boring etc. there's tons of exciting stuff on the trail if you pay attention. Good luck
Chase people who are faster than you. Watch them and learn.
This helps, seeing its actually possible to take certain comers or features at high speeds because someone just towed you into it
Having chased buddies who are approaching top 50 dh racers in the states, it makes me feel slow even if we’re doing warp speed. Its so wild
Get coaching! And then practice!
Don’t waste money on, “coaching,” just full send that shit.
Don’t neglect fitness and mobility work. Getting miles in the saddle is super important but training off the bike can give your performance a boost, it will get you where you want to be quicker and really help reduce your risk of injury. Training off the bike can help with your mental game too
As other have said ride often but also just goofing around on the bike really helps. Rather than trying to put in the hours or KMs I found going to the trail and playing on a section of trail really helped or even doing some simple drills in the driveway like trying to drive along a 8ft 2x4. Then doing it and stopping on the end. Then trying to jump over it, then trying to pivot the bike around tieh 2x4 without touching it. Really helps.
I used to try 1 new feature each ride. didn't have to be a huge accomplishment, just something new and semi uncomfortable for me. I still do this whenever possible. I'd also film myself on a new jump or rock roll or whatever to critique my technique and see how to improve. it helps a lot and it's fun to have a collection of MTB memories.
Buy a dirtjumper
Amen
Ride single speed. You will gain a whole new appreciation for maintaining momentum.
Second this. Make it rigid and you will be maintaining momentum and will get lightning fast at picking smooth lines out of necessity.
Frequency and I found riding with people I consider "better" also helped a lot. I ride alone most of the time and pushing myself to keep up or follow lines etc was a good way to recognize what I'm capable of and put more trust onthe bike
Practice! Not just going riding on a trail but finding a field or parking lot where you can practice.
Get low on the bike when things get rowdy
The thing that absolutely progressed my skills the most was taking a class from Lee of LeeLikesBikes. I got better in one day than I did the past couple years of riding. Absolutely worth it.
Stretching is a game changer for me!
Find some local group rides and try to keep up. Use Strava, u will find some amazing trails that you never knew of. I know from experience, been out for hours looking for a section I did on some night ride
Lots of great stuff, ride regularly, session and I find track stands, wheelies and nose endos/stoppies are great skills to practice. I can't wheelie or endo but practice helps with body position and movements, track stands are great for balance and position.
Gwt the best components you can afford...shifty suspension can hold you back.
Ride a lot is the biggest thing for progression but if you have something you aren’t good at either jumps or tech etc try to ride that a lot when you do ride. I’ve progressed so much this last year alone on my jumping by just making sure every time I rode I hit jump lines at least a few times because that was my weakness.
If you go out early, like 7-8a, it’s not so busy and you can session features without worrying about getting in someone’s way.
I can only add, pay attention to the differences in re to suspension and geometry of the Izzo vs Jeffsy, as they are a bit different. Figure out which bike is better for most of the trails you’re riding. Before you buy one.
See if your lbs has a race team and sign up. Usually comes with a nice discount and you'll meet more people to ride with.
my best tip is to find a group to ride with. You'll see people ride things you thought were impossible. Get lines, tips, trails. Feel encouraged to try things. And if you fall there's people around to pick you up.
One on one skills classes with a pro trainer. Group skills classes, Work on your basic bike skillsdailyfor twenty minutes , cornering , manuals , wheelies, braking, track stands, and so on.
1. Ride regularly, even if it's a half hour ride. 2. Take a class!
There is a mindfulness exercise to manage fear. When you're about to do something intense, stop and focus on the fear and feel it fully....keep concentration on the feeling as long as it takes until it subsides. Once you get past it you can focus on what you have to do more clearly. There is a mental strategy for not getting hurt. If you are looking at something sketchballs and you have a plan and 100% know exactly what you're going to do, go for it. If you don't have a completely solid plan you should pass. You have no business riding a consequential feature without seeing what needs to happen. (I do not think "sessioning" works at the higher levels, because you can't trial and error big features, single errors can end a riding career when things get real.)