Words: Andy Barlow Photos: Andy McCandlish Advice for riding faster or handling more technical trails is everywhere. YouTube videos, forums, books, magazine articles even. Even…
Technique
How to bunny hop a mountain bike
Learning how to bunny hop and quickly create lift will allow you to smooth out trails by using obstacles to your advantage, as well as…
How to get the most out of your visit to a bike park
Once the preserve of downhillers, now trail riders are filling the minibuses, drawn by the promise of a month's worth of descending in just one…
Clipless versus flats: which pedal system is best for mountain biking?
Clipless versus flats. Can clipless help us with better power, control and efficiency? We jumped onto the Wattbike and found a big difference.
Be a better rider: how to choose the best line
How to plan ahead on the trails and pick the savviest lines. Ride smarter.
E-bike skills every electric mountain bike rider should master
Whether you’re new to e-bikes or you’ve been riding them since the year dot, getting the best skills advice on how to handle that extra…
Essential electric mountain bike skills – the basics
There’s no denying that you can do more on an e-bike. The more people who try them the more people discover that in reality the…
Learn how to master the wheelie with Andy Barlow from Dirt School
The wheelie is one of the most iconic bike tricks, and while it’s obviously a lot of fun and always impressive, it’s also useful for…
How to endo on a mountain bike
The endo doesn’t just look cool; it’s a next-level skill that has lots of applications. Use it to navigate tight turns and hairpins when descending,…
How to ride down steep descents on a mountain bike
Riding on steep and technical trails is always a combination of managing grip, body position, balance and confidence…all of which can seem in short supply…
Why track stands are useful and how to do them
It takes time, humility and lot of determination to really get your head around track stands, but the satisfaction of finally getting them is addictive.
How to ride smooth and clean on steep, technical, slippery trails
Autumn is here. The trails are wetter, roots and rocks seem to be everywhere, and the ground that once provided grip and stability is now…
Common mistakes road cyclists make when switching to mountain bikes
Ex-pro road rider James McCallum learns to take the rough with the smooth by controlling his body position.
How to ride faster without taking more risks
Let’s look at a game plan that will allow you to carry speed and set quicker times without exposing you to more risk.
How to maximise stability when push comes to shove on singletrack
If the secret in going fast is being a confident rider, then the secret to confidence is control.
How to find your flow when mountain biking
Andy Barlow from Dirt School shows us how to get there, with some some deliberate techniques and skills to focus on. Follow his expert advice…
How to climb up (almost) anything on an e-bike
E-bike climbing skills. Power on tap and extra weight demand a different approach to get the best out of your e-bike, especially on steep climbs…
E-bike skills: wield your e-bike like precision tool instead of blunt instrument
Learn how to increase control and power on your e-bike, with one of the world's best trials rider as your coach - Chris Akrigg.
I went to a mountain bike skills coach and this is what I learnt
We head along to a mountain bike coaching day with multiple national champ and DH racer Katy Curd to regain some trail zen.
Women’s mountain bike skills 101
New riders or seasoned veterans alike should brush up on their basics, here’s how to get started with coach Katy Curd.