skills training

2

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  • suzyb
    suzyb Posts: 3,449
    mobilekat wrote:
    Now we try to do all the downhill sections in 'The Attack Position', and also not cheat by holding the saddle between our knees, and bloody-heck its harder work!
    Your not supposed to do that :oops:
    Whippet
  • mobilekat
    mobilekat Posts: 245
    mobilekat wrote:
    Now we try to do all the downhill sections in 'The Attack Position', and also not cheat by holding the saddle between our knees, and bloody-heck its harder work!


    Your not supposed to do that

    Are we not meant to cheat, or not meant to practice the attack position?

    Having only ever watched people out riding we used to think it was correct to be stood up on the pedals, and then virtually hold the saddle between our knees (cos that what we had seen others doing) It was then explained that the idea is to be an 'upside down triangle' and to keep your knees wider to allow the bike to move beneath you and thus you dont get kicked off if the back wheel hits a stone.
    Being a bit unfit though we find this quite hard work, so its easier to sit down and just bump along- but then you hit a stone and bad things happen.....
    And from my days horse riding I know the only way to improve your strength and balance when you have your bum out of the saddle is to practice.......
    Wheeze..... Gasp..... Ruddy hills.......
  • suzyb
    suzyb Posts: 3,449
    mobilekat wrote:
    mobilekat wrote:
    Now we try to do all the downhill sections in 'The Attack Position', and also not cheat by holding the saddle between our knees, and bloody-heck its harder work!


    Your not supposed to do that

    Are we not meant to cheat, or not meant to practice the attack position?
    Not meant to hold the saddle between your knees.

    I do that as well as it makes me feel more secure on the bike. Usually only do it when I'm shifting my weight back going over drops or down steep slopes slowly. But I guess I should get out of the habit.

    Riding in the attack position is bloody hard work though. My back was aching after doing the blue at Kiroughtree on Sunday.
    Whippet
  • mobilekat
    mobilekat Posts: 245
    Anyone in the woods would have wondered what was happening- OH kept yelling 'Knees apart'....

    I would then end up hollering back 'They are- but you need your elbows in more.....'

    Harder, but so much better, and its a 'good pain'..... :D
    Wheeze..... Gasp..... Ruddy hills.......
  • Adnams82
    Adnams82 Posts: 22
    Thought I would add a short review of Chase Skills at Cannock to this thread.

    I did the Level 2 course with Craig a couple of weeks ago and it was excellent, information was presented in a very clear and simple way and he had a lot of patience with me while I failed to understand the drop technique (nailed it in the end).
    The course covered all the essentials and has improved my riding in many ways from climbing to descending to lifting the front wheel.

    The results have astounded my OH who normally disappears in to the distance when we ride but he remained in view for nearly all of our last ride due to my improved technique and increased confidence in attacking all of the trail :)
  • x-isle
    x-isle Posts: 794
    Wow, big thanks! (I'm guessing it's Sacha?)

    I'm so glad that you've stepped up your game and having more fun out on the trails.

    Again, a big thanks for the vote of confidence.

    If anyone is interested, there is a Level 2 Ladies Day scheduled for Sunday Oct 10th at Cannock Chase, please take a look at our site for more info - www.chaseskills.co.uk

    Best regards
    Craig Rogers
  • Mrs Toast
    Mrs Toast Posts: 636
    Indeed, I'm planning on going on a Chase Skills course - I want to lift my front wheel! Plus Craig saves owls.
    The Mountain Biking Missadventures of Missus Toast

    The Professor

    Cletus
  • x-isle
    x-isle Posts: 794
    Aww, we do miss "Terry".

    We do hope he's doing well back where he belongs! :)

    This is the little critter!
    terry.jpg
    Craig Rogers
  • Satu
    Satu Posts: 51
    x-isle wrote:
    If anyone is interested, there is a Level 2 Ladies Day scheduled for Sunday Oct 10th at Cannock Chase, please take a look at our site for more info - www.chaseskills.co.uk

    Ooh, very tempted to sign up for that -- I didn't realise there was anything this local! (I must say, though, your website design is a bit eye-watering! ;))
  • hearndenemma
    hearndenemma Posts: 61
    Looks good and just so happens I am off on 10th oct, I feel I need another day to consolidate the weekend in feb!!! As don't seem to manage difficult climbs no matter how much weight I put over the front wheel it still lifts :oops:

    Anyway the more practise the better :D (hey craig, the web site background is difficult to read!!)
  • x-isle
    x-isle Posts: 794
    Hmm, I'll have to take a look at the colour scheme. Thanks for the feedback though! :)

    Don't forget the Essential Sessions that we also run. The 2 things I've picked up from previous females (in fact a large number of males too!) is that both drop offs and manuals (front wheel lifts) are high on the list of wanted to get right. The first Essential Session we are running concentrates on the perfect drop off technique (along with climbing tough terrain), the second one that we will be scheduling will include manuals (with other content).

    Just in case anyone was interested in these rather than a full days course.

    Craig
    Craig Rogers
  • Jedi
    Jedi Posts: 827
    you dont lift the front you un weight it.
    http://www.ukbikeskills.co.uk

    mtb coaching
  • x-isle
    x-isle Posts: 794
    Yes, with the end result being.........

    .....the front wheel lifts.

    In fact you don't actually un weight it, it's the sudden shift of weight to the back that does it, along with a thrust forward under the front wheel, but we are getting into to much detail now. :)
    Craig Rogers
  • Mrs Toast
    Mrs Toast Posts: 636
    I don't care, anything's got to be better than ploughing into it full pelt and hoping the suspension will cope! :(
    The Mountain Biking Missadventures of Missus Toast

    The Professor

    Cletus
  • x-isle
    x-isle Posts: 794
    You've got that bang on. This is the most overlooked part of riding. Not only are you relying on the suspension banging up and over. All the effort your legs have made to drive the bike forward is getting lost each time the forks compress against something that needs to be manualled over. The end result after a long ride is your fuel tank runs out quicker as you've had to pedal harder to maintain your speed.
    Craig Rogers
  • mac_man
    mac_man Posts: 918
    Just thought I'd give a +1 for Stu at Forest Freeride.

    Great guy who had loads of time for us.

    Me and my partner did a beginners session, and even though I was just 'going along for the ride' I picked up an awful lot of useful stuff - mainly things I was doing wrong :lol:

    And now my Mrs (who's only ridden a mountain bike 4 times before this weekend) now has bags more confidence.
    Cool, retro and sometimes downright rude MTB and cycling themed T shirts. Just MTFU.

    By day: http://www.mtfu.co.uk
  • x-isle
    x-isle Posts: 794
    Hi all,

    Sorry for yet another blatent plug, however, in an attempt to try and get more ladies into the sport (and get some technique under their belt).

    We have reduced the Ladies only course (scheduled for the 10th October) by 25%.

    Therefore, the course now costs £44.25 instead of the usual £59!

    Oh and before anyone asks, no, we won't allow men dressed as ladies! :P

    EDIT: Forgot to mention, we've changed the website colours, hopefully they are no longer eye bleeders! :)
    Craig Rogers
  • Mrs Toast
    Mrs Toast Posts: 636
    I've bit the bullet and signed up!

    MAKE ME AWESOME OR PERISH!!!
    The Mountain Biking Missadventures of Missus Toast

    The Professor

    Cletus
  • Satu
    Satu Posts: 51
    I actually have some money at last, so I've signed up as well!

    Website colour scheme is looking much better, too -- thanks! :D
  • Chronicbint
    Chronicbint Posts: 172
    Sexist! :P
  • x-isle
    x-isle Posts: 794
    Brill, many thanks! You're awesomness will be my destinty!

    Mrs. Toast, Not sure if you got my email about the registration form or not as I got a delivery failure message back?
    Craig Rogers
  • Mrs Toast
    Mrs Toast Posts: 636
    I got it, my email addy forwards to two other addresses, one of which is now defunct - I've removed it now!

    Essay sent! :P
    The Mountain Biking Missadventures of Missus Toast

    The Professor

    Cletus
  • kathg
    kathg Posts: 142
    Good luck to all who go on this skills day.. wish I could come too :( . Never mind next time eh.
    Oh yes, and make sure we get some photographic evidence of awesomeness, or at least a piccie of Craig perishing at the hands of Mrs Toast!!
  • Briggo
    Briggo Posts: 3,537
    x-isle wrote:
    Hi all,

    Sorry for yet another blatent plug, however, in an attempt to try and get more ladies into the sport (and get some technique under their belt).

    We have reduced the Ladies only course (scheduled for the 10th October) by 25%.

    Therefore, the course now costs £44.25 instead of the usual £59!

    Oh and before anyone asks, no, we won't allow men dressed as ladies! :P

    EDIT: Forgot to mention, we've changed the website colours, hopefully they are no longer eye bleeders! :)

    Many spaces left on this one?

    Want to convince the missus to do a good course and this looks it, she's fairly confident on the bike (could use some more with harder technical decents and drop offs etc) but is the same, she lets the suspension carry her down.

    It'll also give me an excuse to try out Cannock ;)
  • x-isle
    x-isle Posts: 794
    Hi Briggo,

    Currently there are 2 places remaining on the course. They are selling quick though. Since we offered them at the reduced price on Friday, 4 out of 6 places have been snapped up.

    Regards
    Craig Rogers
  • Briggo
    Briggo Posts: 3,537
    Cool, well I signed her up now.

    Make her a riding god please. :P
  • x-isle
    x-isle Posts: 794
    Thanks Briggo!

    All received ok.

    That now leaves just the single place left.

    Best regards
    Craig Rogers
  • x-isle
    x-isle Posts: 794
    Mrs. Toast, credit were credit is due.

    I took a large chunk of my life yesterday and dedicated it to your blogs.

    :D Very entertaining and brilliantly written. I've put a link on the Chase Skills Facebook page to it, as I'm sure there's plenty of other people who will find it equally amussing!
    Craig Rogers
  • Adnams82
    Adnams82 Posts: 22
    Sounds like there is a bit of pressure building on you Craig to make the women of Cannock riding gods! I don't doubt you can do it :)
    Feel a bit disappointed that I already did the course with guys would be nice to meet some other biking girlies - oh well will wait for the ladies level 3 next year?
    Hope it dries out for you before then - went out this morning for a blast round FtD and came home looking like I had been for a mud bath.

    Cheers Sacha
  • x-isle
    x-isle Posts: 794
    Hi all,

    Firstly, thank you all for the bookings on the 10th October and due to a big demand, we've added another date (also with the discount) to the calendar.

    Sunday 31st October sees another Level 2 Ladies only day.

    Once again, many thanks!
    Craig Rogers

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