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I'm wondering if anyone can point me in the direction of some coaching that would fit my needs - I'm based in Edinburgh but imagine that I will need to go to the Tweedy V for this so that's fine.
I am probably an "intermediate" rider, but I am constantly last out of my mates when we go ride. For reference: The hardest trail I can probably cleanly ride is NY NY but super slowly and clumsily (and even then I absolutely s**t myself at the steeper parts). Thunderstruck at Glentress I can ride down and have fun and am happy to try and push the speed a bit - that's probably my top end for "feeling comfortable". I get sketched out on the borderline rolls / drops and where I have to lift the front.
I am not sure I fully trust my body positioning or cornering enough to rail chunky trails - I know my bike can just roll stuff no bother but I often feel like there's something I am not doing right if that makes sense. I've made a lot of progress just sessioning and riding but it's slow going. I think I am pretty well responsive and coachable and would benefit from a day or two's analysis and correction / some prompts to make me feel a bit more confident in going faster.
I know of Ridelines - do you think that would be good for a timid improver? Not expecting to be turned into an enduro-bro overnight but just something to buttress my own practice.
Dirt School? Never used them but used to know one of the guys and heard good things about them.
Ben Jackson at Trailtec is an awesome dude, a product of BASE and really sorted at working with a wide range of skillsets to help you improve.
I had a really good half day with Bex Barona last week at Glentress, we were doing jumps and berms but as an EWS winner she should be able to sort you out on Enduro trails. She was really friendly and easy to get on with. I'm now considering an annual tune up with her.
I've had good coaching from Dirt School, would definitely recommend.
Lewis Munro @ridesmart coaching
you’ll find him on Instagram
Dirt school was good for me.
+1 Lewis, awesome credentials (he won Ard Rock last year) and great personable teacher.
thanks for all the recommendations folks. I knew there was another van I’d seen in the car park and Dirt School was the name I had forgotten!
I’ll look into some of these and hopefully try and sort that late spring. Much appreciated,
I highly recommend Liz Peacock ( https://www.trailskills.co.uk/ ) she is based at Ae/ Dalbeattie but will also do sessions at The Golfie, Inners etc. She is a super experienced rider and a very good coach, able and willing to adapt to whatever your needs are. She knows all the trails inside out, ensuring you progress at just the right level of challenge. In addition her 1:1 sessions are incredible value!
I’ve made a lot of progress just sessioning and riding but it’s slow going.
Coaching will very likely get you past this. I had got to the point where going faster was just a case of just daring a bit more. After coaching I felt more in control/safer/relaxed, yet still faster.
I know of Ridelines – do you think that would be good for a timid improver?
Yes, one of many good options.
Dirt school, had a session a few years ago with Andy (need to go back for some more revision). Was very happy with the way they taught and the results
Did a day with RideLines a few years ago.
On flatish piece of ground at GT Andy gave me the skills, ability & confidence to pretty much ride almost every trail in the Valley - transformed my riding in a single day.
And years later I still think of his words & advice when riding, especially when on steeper/techy trails.
Recommend.
@bikesandboots - yeah it's the same for me. Just need something to trigger the confidence to go a bit faster as that is where I come unstuck.
I had an olympic weightlifting coach a while ago whilst I was floundering and he just had a small bank of prompts that he trained me, just using one word in the end. Started to become a bit of a mnemonic device and really got me out of a rut just by changing small things. I'm sure I would respond just as well to MTB coaching.
Andy at Ridelines will sort you out 🙌🏻