[Closed] MTB tuition - Ridelines or Dirt School?

I don't know if second-hand knowledge will be helpful to you at all, but in case it is, I offer this:

My kids got me a Dirt School video a number of years ago, which I thoroughly enjoyed. But what really impressed me was the teaching ability of Chris Ball who features in the video. He really seems to understand what constitutes a good lesson; his tone is perfectly pitched; his approach is motivating.

Based on that video, I would go with Dirt School in a heartbeat. Chris Bell should be lauded for his teaching skill on top of his skills on the bike.

Look at Ben Cathro/Sick Skills as well if you haven't already, he gets some good feedback.

Going with dirt school for a day of steep and scary.

Won a couple of hours with ridelines, a few years ago, Andy was good.

But dirt school Andy had my wife bunnyhopping in a morning. Which is downright miraculous.  And for that reason...

Based on that video, I would go with Dirt School in a heartbeat. Chris Bell should be lauded for his teaching skill on top of his skills on the bike.

Chris Ball won’t be coaching, far too busy and important with the EWS.

I’ve been out with both.Found some of Andy’s (Dirt School) stuff a little odd, preferred Jess’ (Ridlines) approach

I'm out of date- back to when it was pretty much just Andy Barlow for Dirtschool and Andy Weir for Ridelines... And, full disclosure, I know them both outside of the job but I've known Andy Weir since he was a glentress ranger and he's a top boy, so maybe I'm biased.

Anyway, I summed it up before that Ridelines was teaching and Dirtschool was coaching, it's not the same. Ridelines gave me immediate improvements and skills that were kind of fully formed- I had to practice to really get them installed but by the end of the day it felt like an immediate boost, like "now I can do X".

Dirtschool gave me a sort of tool kit of ways to improve and also how to make better use of existing skills, but it was much more on me to take it away and really work on it. Which on one occasion, I did and it was great, on one I sort of did and it was decent, and the other it just kind of didn't take and I was soon back to my old riding.

Those are just 2 different, equally valid approaches so it was just a case of what worked best for the person. For me, probably Dirtschool, without a doubt that more succesful session did me more good than with Ridelines over the longterm.

Oh... Again maybe this has changed but the only actual criticism of either that I had, was Dirtschool's group management was a bit off... We had one person in our group who was just flat out on the wrong course, and another who wasn't fit enough to do the full day, and Andy basically derailed the course in order to suit them. I'm sure he thought it was "suiting everyone" but it wasn't- we just didn't get some of the tuition we'd paid for. Maybe he's better at that now, that was years ago. Maybe not. But basically it was those 2 people who caused the problem and everyone else that lost out and that's not cool. It didn't ruin it, by any means but it should have been that bit better.

Had a group lesson with ridelines but was a mixed ability group and for me, didn't spend enough time on actual sections of trails, mostly using the easy skills area covering the basics. Teaching was ok but guess I was looking for a little more.

Last year booked a group session with cairnmtb, turned out to be a personalised lesson as the other guy didn't turn up. Alex was brilliant and actually had me practicing on red and black sections which I would ride anyway...found this helpful for further rides. Back for a 1to1 session with Alex in a couple of weeks...worth every penny.

So yeah, cairnmtb for me. Won't use anyone else.

Best tuition I ever had was with Emma Guy and Helen Gaskill, think Helen might still be doing private tuition?

Had a private lesson with Ridelines after a long layoff from mtb.

Thoroughly recommend them. Sussed what I needed to work on within minutes of watching me.

Best money I've spent on the bike.

Thanks for all your replies. Much appreciated 🙂

I found Andy Weir had a lot more cerebral approach & was interested in how I liked to learn. But I thought both Andys were excellent. Barlow is a better rider.

I know coaches from both, esp the Glasgow side based coaches. They are all excellent and even though I know them, I couldn’t say A is better than B or vice versa. Pick whichever works for your location and dates and you are unlikely to be disappointed. As an aside, what techniques and skills are you looking for coaching in, and where are you based ?

Andys were excellent. Barlow is a better rider.

It doesn’t matter whether he is a better rider or not it is how he delivers coaching. Good demos ate certainly a must but if they then cannot deliver the “coaching points” then it becomes a “look how good I am” session.....

Had a group session a few years ago with A.B. & C.B. We were not impressed(14 in the group, too big on our opinion post event) ie most of us failed to do a wheelie, bunny hop(some were capable of jumping beforehand) When it came to the jump section a few of us opted out, no instruction was forthcoming, just a case of if you don’t want to participate it’s ok with us!!!

P.S. I have a few qualifications ie MBL, BC coach, Bikeability leader amongst other work related training stuff and a swimming teachers cert.....

To sum up I’d go for a personal 1x1 or at least a small group approach. As others have intimidated the group dynamic will/can be influenced by the weakest denominator.....

To be fair to any “coach” I an guilty of not being disciplined enough to do the “session/practice” a skill....... I have managed to get by for 30+ yes without all the stuff/skills we are supposed to need.....

South of Edinburgh. Been out of action for a good while but looking for help tackling cornering, drops, techy stuff

Maybe get in touch with Callum or Fraser @Ae bike shop, both BC coach qualified. Callum came 3rd in this years MacAvalanche, has won it and been 2nd and a former SES champ amongst other events. Fraser , his wee bro is a former Borders DH/MTB college and Steve Peat/Santa Cruz team rider and DH champ.

Any suggestions for a fairly experienced rider? I fancy having a lesson to see what I need to improve on and where my technique is poor. I was given a group lesson about 5 years ago and didn't learn much as the instructors focused on the beginners in the group.

By fairly experienced I mean I can ride most things, but could probably ride them better / faster. I've done a few races (pmba, ndh, megavalanche, etc) and did ok in some (just outside top 10% at ardrock a few years ago for example)

Most of the coaching programs I see are aimed at beginners/intermediate riders, it's hard to know who I would learn the most from

Any suggestions?

Cheers

Trekster - 14 in a group breaks the regs. BC MTB L2 allows up to 8, as does MBLA L2.  As a coach I find a similar ability group of 4 good and 8 a lot to give value to.

OP - suggest you call or mail either and get a 121 session. They will work out what you need and tailor it specifically. I did similar a few yrs ago with Rab from Dirtschool after a hospitalising crash and he sorted all my demons..

Neb, suggest a 121 where the coach can focus just on you. Any L2 MTB coach will be able to help you, it’s more about them being able to coach the technique rather than necessarily ride it...

Cheers iainc

I have used Jess at Ridelines and thought she was a fantastic coach. Really explained everything in great detail and the reason for doing it that way