Fun, Skills, Advice..

The Greater Boston Chapter will be hosting a series of basic skills clinics this spring. I have volunteered to develop the series and direct the program. I would appreciate constructive input from the forum in developing an outline for the clinics. Please relay any experiences you have had with attending beginner rides or skills clinics that you think were positive or negative enough to warrant inclusion or avoidance in our program. If you are aware of any teaching aides, video or text, that would enhance the experience please include those as well. The goals of the clinic are to have fun, develop self confidence, promote safety, encourage responsible trail use, and to build relationships within the MTB community.

[johnnyt]

Go Bill!!!!!
That sounds great and I would love to attend/help in any way possible.

One thing I know you are good at is track stands and balance. That would be a great technique for beginners to learn!

Let me know if I can help out!
JT

[EVIL BOTA]

Excellent Bill. I'm sure you will do a first rate job. Watching you ride this past weekend I feel you are a excelent technical rider and would do well to pass on your knowledge. Good luck.

[p_coutermarsh]

Hi Bill,

Having ridden with you this past weekend I know that you will be a great instructor. In my experience, the most important skill is negotiating climbs with rocks, logs, and/or other obstructions. I often choose the incorrect line when attempting steep or long climbs. I would definitely like to attend.

Yogi

[SloMoJo]

Bill told me I have to go to skills clinic or something. :)

[EVIL BOTA]

Slomjo gots Skillz ! No need for instruction. Out there acting up on his new bike..lol

[splat]

SloMoJo's problem is he does it right the first time , Then he forgets how he did it and does it totally wrong!! Case in point Railroad tracks, and crossing a stream on cedar hill by doing an endo in the middle of it! ( I really wished I had my Camera when he did that one ! )

[MMcG]

The Greater Boston Chapter will be hosting a series of basic skills clinics this spring. I have volunteered to develop the series and direct the program. I would appreciate constructive input from the forum in developing an outline for the clinics. Please relay any experiences you have had with attending beginner rides or skills clinics that you think were positive or negative enough to warrant inclusion or avoidance in our program. If you are aware of any teaching aides, video or text, that would enhance the experience please include those as well. The goals of the clinic are to have fun, develop self confidence, promote safety, encourage responsible trail use, and to build relationships within the MTB community.


Bill,

This is an excellent idea and program and I can't think of anyone better to lead it than you (and that's from only meeting you once!).

I think it could be useful for someone to video tape certain skills, techniques etc. and to make the video available as a take home item that could be shared........AND I think you should be one of the featured riders in said video as you are like one with your bike......especially your low speed or no speed handling skills......something I was in awe of when we rode Soapstone with Jollytime, his friend Bob, IAB and MBC!

Just curious but will wearing jeans as riding attire be included in your instructions!? ;D Just kidding buddy! Everyone has to have their own thing and personally I think the jeans work for you!

Good luck with this endeavor!

In addition and in closing, I think this could be a model that other chapters could look into adopting. I know that I would seriously try to attend such a clinic here in Connecticut. I'd have to be a participant though and DEFINITELY not an instructor unless it entailed proper crashing/landing techniques. ;)

I give you a ton of credit for stepping up and volunteering your time Bill.

Take care,

Mark

Thank you Gentlemen for your kind encouragement. I shall endeavor to rise to the level of your expectations. The instructor's trepidation now sufficiently vanquished, let us please return to the initial inquiry.

What the heck am i gunna teach ???

I await eagerly your counsel.

bill

[splat]

Well
in the Early 90's I was involved with Teaching several of the local police Bike Patrols ( Waltham , Norwood, Dedham , Lexington) I was the Mr wrong way Demo!

I guess you teach them:

1) SHIFTING! When and How , Most Newbies ride in too large a gear
2) Brakes! Most Newbies are afaid to really use the front brake on fear of going over the bars

3) How to hop up/over thinks ( rocks , logs , other riders )
4) Going down hill ( you know Butt way Back , Use your front Brake alot , Newbies are afraid to use there front brake )
5) Bunny Hopping ( logs, curbs , etc )
6) Climbing and How to shift you weight, and shift the gears
7) Cornering
8) How to fall !!! ( very Important !!!! )
a) to the sides
b) Over the top staying with the bike
c) over the top , And leaving the Bike
d) and when to decide it is time to abondon the bike vs fall with it.
9) Optional -- clipless pedal or toe clips how to use.

[Big Game]

Sounds good, Bill.

Just one thing to add:

I think the track stand is one of the most valuable skills to learn: Balance becomes second nature, and is a great confidence booster when tackling nasty technical sections. Clipping out become unnecessary (most times)

It is also a fundimental to learning more advanced skills such as the low speed (or no speed) wheelie-drop or manual (I'm still working on that manual...I have just torn my favorite pair of pants working on it)

Good luck

Your Pal,

Big Game

[radair]

Just one thought - how about teaching them how to slam dunk your bicycle through a basketball hoop? You're the only guy I know that's done that! ;D

Sounds like a great program.

[Sky Pilot]

hey readers, if justbill is running it, you will learn something.

and not just about mountain biking, but about life.

[knucklebuste]

How bout a seperate hucking seminar, including riding bridges 18' off the ground that are 3" wide, see saws and cliff drops? Knuckle :-X

[NEMBA_bkr-dude]

I think you should also have a large part telling people what NOT to do and why.

[radair]

I think you should also have a large part telling people what NOT to do and why.


Dude - excellent idea. Ride it, don't slide it.