Skills course in Yorkshire - suggestions?

CharlieH

I've decided to try and get on a skills course and wanted recommendations from anyone who's done one.

Ideally I'm after someone to help with things like jumps, drops, pumping and flow etc. I've been biking for a few years now and will happily tackle most red routes etc but as my speed has increased my technique has lagged behind.

will2580

Purple mountain do various skills courses in Dalby forest.

http://www.purplemountain.co.uk/dalby/tuition/

sheepsteeth

i havent used them as i am so skillful already.*

but if i was to use someone, i would be tempted by the folks at "chasing trails"

when i looked into a skills course, they were the people recommended and they came acros as decent sorts during our conversations.

*im not.

robdaykin

If you've ridden anything more difficult than the blue route at Dalby, like any natural trails or trail centre routes, then I would not recommend the level 1 course. I've done the level 1 when I had never ridden a mountain bike before, and the main thing I learnt was some confidence, not much in the way of skills, though I did leave with good tips to improve.

Rob

sofaboy73

There a guy called ed oxley (can't remember the co name, but you'll find him on google) that runs skills course on natural trails in the yorkshire area. also runs them regulalry at lee quarry.

not tried him myself, but know people who have and say he's very good. plus he's got an awesome beard!

doug@basqueMTB.com

Ed's company is called Great Rock, http://www.great-rock.co.uk/blog/, I went on an advanced skills day with him and totally rated it. I did a write up on my site. I was so impressed that I asked him to come to the Basque Country to do a skills week out here in June. He does courses all the time though around the Yorkshire-ish area.

He's a top rider and has a knack for explaining stuff and making it sound easy.

thekickingmule

sheepsteeth wrote:

but if i was to use someone, i would be tempted by the folks at "chasing trails"

when i looked into a skills course, they were the people recommended and they came acros as decent sorts during our conversations.

I met the bloke from Chasing Trails whilst at Dalby once on a forum ride. He helped me change a mech, and rode round with me giving tips and advice, it was my first experience of a trail centre. We stopped early due to about 3" of snow falling and not stopping, so made a hasty retreat.

Would definitely recommend.

chemicalali

Dales Mountain Biking based in Swaledale do various skills courses depending on the topic you want to work on.


www.dalesmountainbiking.co.uk

Doing "Jumps and Drops" with them next Sunday

CharlieH

Lots to look at. I like the sound of the drops and jumps course. Went out today and tried pumping the trail, hard to get right but it did seem to work to some extent. I'll check out a few suggestions tonight.

Thanks

mac_man

sofaboy73 wrote:

There a guy called ed oxley (can't remember the co name, but you'll find him on google) that runs skills course on natural trails in the yorkshire area. also runs them regulalry at lee quarry.

not tried him myself, but know people who have and say he's very good. plus he's got an awesome beard!

Ed is a totally top guy. Does quite a few courses at Gisburn Forest as well as some around Calderdale and Lee Quarry. Done a couple with him in the past.

He does a course titled 'The Flow'. Probably exactly what you're looking for.

Am convinced his beard is getting even bigger these days....

mac_man

doug@basqueMTB.com wrote:

Ed's company is called Great Rock, http://www.great-rock.co.uk/blog/, I went on an advanced skills day with him and totally rated it. I did a write up on my site. I was so impressed that I asked him to come to the Basque Country to do a skills week out here in June. He does courses all the time though around the Yorkshire-ish area.

He's a top rider and has a knack for explaining stuff and making it sound easy.

BTW... is that you riding 'The Crosses' on Ed's site?

CharlieH

I've had a look at all the above options and think I'm going to go with chasing trails. Ed's courses at black rock looked good but I can get a full day 1:1 at Dalby with chasing trails for the same price as a group session with black rock, especially as I work for myself so can easily to a mid week course

Thanks for everyones recommendations

mac_man

CharlieH wrote:

I've had a look at all the above options and think I'm going to go with chasing trails. Ed's courses at black rock looked good but I can get a full day 1:1 at Dalby with chasing trails for the same price as a group session with black rock, especially as I work for myself so can easily to a mid week course

Thanks for everyones recommendations

Ed's flow course is 2 days for £140 I believe.

His 'stop crashing' course was £60 when I did it last year... for a days tuition.

Chasing trails are still good value... but it's £130 for 1 day by the look of it.

CharlieH

Didn't realise that! Problem is I'm a wedding photographer so weekend courses are hard to fit in from April to sept, so week day courses are easier for me to book in

I also like the idea of 1:1 if I can. I presumed Eds flow course was in a group as opposed to Steves 1:1

mac_man

CharlieH wrote:

Didn't realise that! Problem is I'm a wedding photographer so weekend courses are hard to fit in from April to sept, so week day courses are easier for me to book in

Drop him a line... might do you a good deal midweek as most people can only go weekends... not the other way round

CharlieH

Cheers, will do

robdaykin

Just a thought, do any of the skills courses include setting up your bike? The level 1 I hired a bike for, and never thought about rebound or compression of any of that lot. Now I've got my own bike, I've got it basically setup, but if I'm going to do a skills course, it'd be nice if it covered some basic suspension tuning

doug@basqueMTB.com

Hi Mac Man, that's me on The Crosses, lots of fun making that one :-)

mac_man

doug@basqueMTB.com wrote:

Hi Mac Man, that's me on The Crosses, lots of fun making that one :-)

Epic mate....

doug@basqueMTB.com

Thanks mac man!