[Closed] Dirtschool steep and natural.

saw some vids on Rab's IG - what trails did you ride?

Whilst you were on that I was on the riding the impossible course down at Inners/Golfie (also Dirt School). Excellent day also.

I’m interested in that course - can you say what was covered?

Both courses are really about building on the skills they cover on their other courses and applying them to trails that are more natural and steeper (duh). As well as body position (which is what everything is about ultimately), its stuff about line choice, grip points, controlling speed etc. When I went on it a year or so ago the trails we used were mud and roots and brown trout at glentress, which were exactly the right level - you can learn the skills you need without having to ride anything absolutely mental.

The ride the impossible course is an extension of steep and natural - applying the same skills and knowledge, but focused on more difficult trails. We were on date night/second date all morning, then second base/liver damage this afternoon.

I've never used another coaching company, haven't ever felt the need to. I've done four courses with Dirt School and have learned a staggering amount in those four days. Andy and Rab both have a manner and a way of coaching that for me has worked really well. 100% recommended.

Only thing I'd say, which applies to all coaching, is that you have to take away what you've learned and apply it in your own time to really get to grips with it and see improvements in your riding.

As above.vabout body position and braking points looking ahead and other good stuff we started at berm baby berm, zoom or bust then down to the hydro stopped for lunch afternoon had Broon trout, and finished with ponduro.

It was about building on individual skills then linking them with riding the individual trail sections. Braking in the right places, looking ahead all good stuff.

ehrob sums it up better. We all came out feeling more controlled about the steep stuff

@onehundredthidiot

Is there a chance you could elaborate on the "braking on the right places"?

I normally abuse my rear brake, and tap the front to slow down when it gets to stupid steep.

@ehrob

The trails at the lower bit of inners  (date night and the ones near it)  are just silly steep. I was there on Saturday and walked down a lot of it.

I was there on Saturday and walked down a lot of it.

That in itself is a fair accomplishment (If I'm thinking of the right trail)

@dmorts

It was extremely dry, which made the walk slightly less sketchier.

Braking. Seeing the parts of the trail that are "flat" and grippy to scrub speed so as not to hit features too fast then panic brake. We all found that although we felt we were very slow into stuff it allowed for better wider line choice and our exit speed was much higher. Also when in the features either only using the brakes to stop acceleration or releasing them and linking braking areas.

That's basically it - learning that on steep stuff, your entry speed into a difficult section of trail is basically the minimum speed you're committing to ride the whole section at. That's because braking when its steep doesn't slow you down or stop you, it might just stop you from picking up more speed (and that's not even guaranteed).

Slower to go faster - or at least finish the trail...

That’s because braking when its steep doesn’t slow you down or stop you, it might just stop you from picking up more speed (and that’s not even guaranteed).

Aye, sometimes the best you can hope for is to reduce the amount of speed you gain, and hope there's somewhere to scrub it before the next section. Having (type 2) fun with this recently riding some trails that much steeper than I usually ride.

@ehrob @onehundredthidiot

Thanks, actually makes a lot of sense.

As for Date Night etc being steep - yes they are, but they're doable. I'm no riding god, you just need to build up to it. if its a goal you have, I'd suggest the steep and natural course, gain some confidence and work on the skills mentioned above. Then start thinking about trying some of the stuff at inners, and just be patient and keep trying! thing that was hardest to overcome for me was learning to control the urge to crap myself and remember to apply the correct techniques when on the steeps.

There's other steep trails dotted around inners and golfy that are a bit kinder for learning on - prospacker was the one that worked for me as a good place to overcome the fear and discomfort that riding that sort of terrain brings if you aren't used to it.

it's worth persevering with if you ride in the tweed valley regularly, being decent at riding steep stuff opens up an absolute ton of trails that are great fun that you just can't ride otherwise.

Thanks for the advice. I found Angry sheep and green wing pretty doable. I spent a good hour sessioning/practicing repeat offender a couple of weeks ago and that boosted my confidence. However date night and the ones close by were a big step up, will have a look at prospacker.  Also, not only the steep stuff is fun but its normally incredibly quiet!

Had a look at the course, might book myself for July.

Prospacker is a fair bit harder than Date Night.

Date Night is steep but not technical. Prospacker is steeper (in the middle section) and very technical. Steep chutes with drops half way down them for example

I think why in my head prospacker is a bit more straightforward is the lack of line choice, there's only one way down it for the most part. I don't reckon its any steeper though I might be wrong.