The First Ride Right MTB School

Months ago we mentioned the idea of offering a two day immersive mtb skills clinic to Trek Bicycle Stores honcho Kent McNeill.  I confessed I wasn't totally confident there was a market for such things- would people really want to learn from us? Do we have the credibility? "Yes!  Do it!" he said.  Kent is always quick to offer insight, and leverage his confidence to compel us to act.  Thank goodness for that advice.

Our first-ever Ride Right Mountain Bike School was in every way better than we could have imagined. But don't let this sales pitch fool you. Were we nervous? Were we worried our students would tire of our drills? Were we frantic about the weather? Yes, yes and yes! 

This was our prototype. Our official toe-dipping into the world of adult mountain bike skills instruction and to say we were nervous was an understatement. After filling up the first eight spots just through word of mouth, we made the decision to bring in two more coaches and offer more spots. It was important to us to have small coach-to-student ratios so we could provide individualized attention and feedback. Because, as we saw over and over, just one small adjustment was the difference for some to finally "get it". 

The class of eighteen men and women was a collection of many different ages, and skill levels. From seasoned racer to novice, they all had their reasons for being there and it was up to us to assess their skill set and see where we could help them improve. Yeah, no pressure. Both mornings started with everyone doing the same "grass room" drills, each being a building block for the next skill. After lunch, we sessioned different sections of trail, applying the new knowledge and "bike feel" on actual single track.

Suddenly students found themselves carving high-speed corners and dropping their front wheels off of raised ramps like they've been doing it since birth. We're not sure if it was more thrilling for the students or the coaches! Honestly, it was quite a feeling to see the most doubtful students achieve something they never thought was possible. There were lots of woo-hoos and high fives. Doubt and fear were replaced by belief and pride. 

R&R has taken folks on many big adventures riding trails on multiple high alpine peaks and across remote, grand landscapes. But showing people how to ride right in their own backyard trumped it all.

Some words from our participants: 
Great job! Coaches were very attentive and had good feedback for riders of every level.
Great class! Bring on round two!  Everything was great!
I've biked for 20+ years and never been formally taught. You are providing a great service to the bike community!
So pumped up after mtb skills class today! I learned so much and now I have lots to practice. I have not been this excited about mountain biking I think ever.... I love this sport.

Thank you Mike Farrell and Steve Barr for being a part of our first clinic and for being such great coaches. Thank you Trek Bicycle Stores for always supporting us, not only with great equipment but also great resources and advice. And mostly, thank you to our students who believed in themselves and in R&R Outside enough to take this class. It was an honor and a total blast! 

Ride inspired!

Learning to mountain bike better: in a grassy field?!?

When I found out that my Level 2 IMBA Certification was going to take place almost entirely in a grass field, in a crowded urban area, I have to admit: I was a bit disappointed.  After all, part of my love of mountain biking is new trails, getting out in nature, and having an adventure.  Another part of my love of mountain biking: hopping over that awkward log faster than ever, plunging down that steep descent with confidence, and feeling both tires drift ever so slightly as I carve a corner faster than I ever thought possible.  

I went into my Level 2 course with cautious optimism- was this going to be rehash of boring basic stuff I already new?  Could I really learn new things from world-renowned instructors in a grass field?

Yes.

We were getting back to basics-- and practicing them repeatedly in a controlled environment--under the trained and watchful eye of colleagues and instructors.  The smallest bits of instructor corrections helped me elevate my bike lift (with flat pedals!) from 6" to 18" in a matter of seconds.  In seconds, my front wheel lift went from "enough to get over a log" to "which truck bed should I put my front wheel into?" In a matter of minutes, my fast cornering form changed in such a subtle yet important manner that I could literally hear my tires gripping the ground differently-- and I was taking a tighter arc, carving, better than ever before.  Really, the difference was audible!  I developed muscle memories that I am now putting to practice every time I ride singletrack! 

Repeated practice and objective feedback will make you a better rider!  Practice and corrections from trained instructors can help you identify a key nuggets of information, and develop new muscle memories, that you can deploy and practice on every singletrack ride!  

We've spent days studying books of information about mountain bike fundamentals. We've practiced breaking down complex moves into simple, fundamental moves that can be practiced and experienced in a variety of ways. We've spent hours identifying subtle errors in rider form, and how to correct them.  I've personally experienced how subtle corrections can lead to super fun improvements in riding.  And we've been certified by world cup level coaches to share what we've learned.  

I'm excited for you to ride better, faster, smoother-- and have more fun!  Hope to see you at our Ride Right MTB School!

Register online here! 

IMBA ICP Level 2 - Austin,TX

This month, Ryan and another Omaha native, Mike Farrell, participated in a rigorous weekend of skills sessions and testing to become Level 2 instructors. Famed Godfather of mountain bike skills instruction, Shaums March, lead the session. Let it be known, both Mike and Ryan picked up some great tips they'll be sharing with Ride Right students!