The series “How To Become A Better Mountain Biker” has come to a close. Here is the 6 part series in summary.
Part 1: Ride Different Trails
RIDE DIFFERENT TRAILS | HOW TO BECOME A BETTER MOUNTAIN BIKER
Everyone has their local trail that they have grown to love and know like the back of their hand. Here in lies the major flaw with becoming a better rider on your local trails…YOU KNOW IT LIKE THE BACK OF YOUR HAND! This is great when you are looking for a quick ride or one where you don’t have to think. You can put it on autopilot and go through the same routine you are used to doing every Tuesday. Becoming a better rider is best accomplished by going outside of your comfort zone and away from the norm. Many times, riders will even ride the same trails on the same trail system over and over again. (Read More…)
Part 2: Sessioning
SESSIONING | HOW TO BECOME A BETTER MOUNTAIN BIKER
That is sessioning…picking out a small section of trail and doing it over and over again until you get it right. As the saying goes, “practice makes perfect” and how are you going to become a better rider if you don’t practice? No one expects you to be perfect the first time out, so take your time and get it right. The more you do this kind of “redo”, the better rider you will become. Sessioning is the art of practicing and developing your skills in areas that you are not as proficient in. (Read more…)
Part 3: Diversify
DIVERSIFY | HOW TO BECOME A BETTER MOUNTAIN BIKER
It is true, if you diversify your riding…you will become a better rider. This is a well known fact among many different disciplines in many sports. Why do you think there are stories of football players taking dance lessons? The more your body gets used to being out of its normal atmosphere, the more skills you pick up and apply to your favorite kind of riding style. In the end, you become a better mountain biker. (Read more…)
Part 4: Miles…Miles…and More Miles…
MILES…MILES…AND MORE MILES… | HOW TO BECOME A BETTER MOUNTAIN BIKER
You can not expect to be better at any discipline of cycling if you do not log some serious miles. A reoccurring theme throughout this series has been that “practice makes perfect”, so logically…getting a lot of miles under your belt is essential to honing in your mountain biking skills. So now it is time…whether it is a lot of short mileage rides or several long mileage rides…to start racking up the mile count and become a better mountain biker! (Read more…)
Part 5: Cross Training
CROSS TRAINING | HOW TO BECOME A BETTER MOUNTAIN BIKER
This is shocking but true…there are other things that you can do OTHER THAN RIDE A BIKE that will make you a better mountain biker. I know this is shocking and appalling, but it is time to warm up to the fact that other fitness conscience, like minded individuals have found ways to improve their life and health by finding happiness in other forms. Here are some other ways, other than saddle time, that will make you a better mountain biker. (Read more…)
Part 6: Heavy Bike Training
HEAVY BIKE TRAINING | HOW TO BECOME A BETTER MOUNTAIN BIKER
Time for part 6 in the series, and this one is my favorite. Heavy bike training is the #1 way that I have become a better mountain biker in recent memory. The theory here is pretty simple. Have you ever seen a batter warming up in the on deck circle that is using a weight or second bat to get ready? This batter is warming up with heavier weight so when his time comes to step up to the plate…the bat feels lighter in his hands. (Read more…)
A Challenge To You…The Reader
What have you done to “become a better mountain biker”? I want to hear your thoughts, tips, suggestions, etc. Comment below or send me your article and I will post it on the site!