Skill coaching/tuition courses

Hadaka

Hi all,

Have read about skill coaching, tuition courses in a few mags just lately, I was wondering if anyone here has been on one and if so did you find that it was worth doing.

your thoughts of comments as usual are most welcomed

Dave

wordnumb

Personally, I'm all for going out there and learning through trail and error.

But coaching can improve certain skills. Skills such as visual awareness - there's a thread about courses just below yours and a search button full of previous similar topics.

If you're looking for tuition in a specific area, it may be worth mentioning a location.

Hadaka

Just noticed the other thread.... I will keep an eye on that one, unless admin can delete this thread for me?

Splottboy

Think I saw some info on Mtb courses in Llandegla Mtb Centre. But...they were about £270 for a day, but I could be wrong. Whatever it was, it was daylight robbery!

slimboyjim

I've done a course with Cycleactive (www.cycleactive.co.uk) and would recommend it. They do a few different courses at different levels and locations, and the chap who owns them often writes skills sections in magazines. My course was a one day trail centre based 'singletrack skills' course at Cannock Chase and cost £95. It covered various basics such as braking and climbing technique and body position. I think the stuff covered depends on the place where you do it though - Cannock does not really give you the terrain to cover loose and rocky descents for example...

I regularly read skills articles in magazines and on bikeradar, and found whilst I did not learn massive amounts of new skills/knowledge on the course, I left being able to apply what I knew much better. I also read those same skills articles with fresh eyes now, and have learned more from them since by looking at how I apply the techniques listed. As wordnumb alluded to, there's nothing in here I could not have learned through trial and error, but as someone who has a limited amount of time to ride (I have a 3 year old) it has given me an accelerated learning path and boosted my confidence and abilities a level or two. The amount that I further place my vision ahead has improved me massively and I think that was worth the price of the course alone. Incidentally I am doing another of their courses in February.

In the end I think it comes down to how good you are at assessing your own riding (and I think most of us believe we are better at this than we like to admit) and whether you prefer to have someone telling you to change an aspect of your riding rather than working it out on your own (which takes longer IMHO). I believe tuition has made me a better rider and this certainly seems to be the impression given by the bike mags I've read. I'd have a look through the different companies and courses and check out what is covered by each and their reputation - if you are quite experienced and believe you have covered many of the skills listed you may be better with a private lesson (perhaps with a couple of mates to keep the price down). I am a big advocate of skills training - I used to ski a lot as a kid and the weeks where I had ski school I'd massively improve whilst those where I didn't, I didn't! Similar learning of skills applies to bikes. If you are interested I'd give it a go and see how you get on, but is it necessary to do a course - no...

James

MrRex

Learning by trial and error???? Nahhh...far better to go back to basics and learn the "Core Skills"

You are unlikely to find a better course than the Cyclewise one! The tutors are literally world class and I defy anyone not to learn from them!

Jedi

i run ukbikeskills ltd.
i am not being biased. some people will always try to learn from trial and error. you can make a bad habit world class.
a few people who go skiing try to teach them selves but most have lessons so they learn the correct skills and techniques

Hadaka

Some sound advice there guy's.

I am well up for having a go on one of these courses, I have just got back into riding to try to get fitter and because my son (13) has just started showing an interest and has got his first bike.

So I will be checking out a few websites to see whats on offer and get something sorted for early next year.