Dave's $0.02: Natural Progression
September 7, 2019
We invited one of our most dedicated volunteers, Ride Guides owner/coach, State Parks docent, Wilderness Patrol volunteer, and all around good guy Dave Robinson to share his knowledge with the MBOSC community. Here’s the next post in our “Dave’s $0.02” series!
Mountain biking provides the perfect opportunity for the athlete’s mind and body to engage with the natural environment. At our best we weave all three elements seamlessly into a dance down the trail, at our worst we end up in a tangled pile with our bike on the trail. We’d all like to ride better and understanding the progression from novice to adept trail rider is the key to success.
We all begin our journey to mountain biking bliss by trying to understand the bike and how to use it. It starts with figuring out the shifters and brakes. Next, we hone our interface with the gear to understand our position on the bike and how to leverage it to optimize traction. Then we start delving into the more esoteric lifelong pursuit of cornering on dirt. These are the fundamentals of mountain biking. Once we have these sorted out the fun really begins!
The next step towards mtb nirvana is polishing our bike handling. By fine-tuning our fundamental skills we transform from passenger to pilot. This transition happens when we discover how to manage our speed more effectively and how to get our bike over and around obstacles in our path. In practical skill jargon that is optimizing braking, dialing in wheel lifts, and cornering. This is when timing and coordination become critical elements of our progression.
Then we enter the limitless world of choosing lines - reading the environment. New riders may only see a tangle of roots or a well-worn rut but creative riders scan the entire ride zone and select a route that will provide equal measures of challenge and joy. You’ve seen these folks ripping through the corners, popping off roots and rocks, and flowing through the rock gardens. Once you understand the capability of your equipment and match it to your skillset you begin to see your ideal route down the trail. This is your opportunity to express your skill and creativity. Once you are comfortable behind the bars your options are pretty infinite, bound only by your imagination and appetite for risk.
Our mission at The Ride Guides is to help you fall in love with mountain biking, the forest, and our community. Our goal with the Intermediate Mountain Biking Clinic is to help you improve your bike handling skills and help you identify the best lines on the hill for you. We bring a focused approach to guide your transition from beginner to passionate rider. Join us on September 28 at Wilder Ranch State Park to continue your journey on the path to finding flow in our forests, a simple objective that has the potential to improve your mental and physical health every day!!
Hi, I'm Dave Robinson! I am the founder and head coach of The Ride Guides. Santa Cruz and its epic singletrack have been my home for over two decades. I am heavily engaged in the past, present, and future of mountain biking in Santa Cruz as a former MBOSC board member, State Parks docent, and Wilderness Patrol volunteer, and a trail crew leader with MBOSC. I look forward to sharing my two cents with you!
Mountain biking provides the perfect opportunity for the athlete’s mind and body to engage with the natural environment. At our best we weave all three elements seamlessly into a dance down the trail, at our worst we end up in a tangled pile with our bike on the trail. We’d all like to ride better and understanding the progression from novice to adept trail rider is the key to success.
We all begin our journey to mountain biking bliss by trying to understand the bike and how to use it. It starts with figuring out the shifters and brakes. Next, we hone our interface with the gear to understand our position on the bike and how to leverage it to optimize traction. Then we start delving into the more esoteric lifelong pursuit of cornering on dirt. These are the fundamentals of mountain biking. Once we have these sorted out the fun really begins!
The next step towards mtb nirvana is polishing our bike handling. By fine-tuning our fundamental skills we transform from passenger to pilot. This transition happens when we discover how to manage our speed more effectively and how to get our bike over and around obstacles in our path. In practical skill jargon that is optimizing braking, dialing in wheel lifts, and cornering. This is when timing and coordination become critical elements of our progression.
Then we enter the limitless world of choosing lines - reading the environment. New riders may only see a tangle of roots or a well-worn rut but creative riders scan the entire ride zone and select a route that will provide equal measures of challenge and joy. You’ve seen these folks ripping through the corners, popping off roots and rocks, and flowing through the rock gardens. Once you understand the capability of your equipment and match it to your skillset you begin to see your ideal route down the trail. This is your opportunity to express your skill and creativity. Once you are comfortable behind the bars your options are pretty infinite, bound only by your imagination and appetite for risk.
Our mission at The Ride Guides is to help you fall in love with mountain biking, the forest, and our community. Our goal with the Intermediate Mountain Biking Clinic is to help you improve your bike handling skills and help you identify the best lines on the hill for you. We bring a focused approach to guide your transition from beginner to passionate rider. Join us on September 28 at Wilder Ranch State Park to continue your journey on the path to finding flow in our forests, a simple objective that has the potential to improve your mental and physical health every day!!
Hi, I'm Dave Robinson! I am the founder and head coach of The Ride Guides. Santa Cruz and its epic singletrack have been my home for over two decades. I am heavily engaged in the past, present, and future of mountain biking in Santa Cruz as a former MBOSC board member, State Parks docent, and Wilderness Patrol volunteer, and a trail crew leader with MBOSC. I look forward to sharing my two cents with you!
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