After more than 25 years of riding mountain bikes, I thought I had things pretty dialled.
I’m comfortable on most terrain. I’ve ridden the Whistler bike park. I spent years working for a guiding company, going on bike trips on some pretty technical trails.
But I had never taken a proper mountain bike course, clinic, or lesson.
And over time, I realized something I didn’t want to admit: I had built a lot of bad habits.
Why I Finally Took a Skills Course
I recently signed up for an intensive 3-day Level 1 training course through PMBIA at Trail Hub in Uxbridge, led by Charlotte Batty from Minii Adventures.
Part of it was personal—I wanted to become a better rider and learn proper technique. But the bigger reason?
I want to help more people experience what mountain biking is supposed to feel like:
- Smooth
- In control
- Confident
- Full of flow
Not tense, sketchy, unpredictable, or at times, downright scary.
The Skills I Thought I Knew (But Didn’t)
During the course, we focused on the core fundamentals of mountain biking:
- Body positioning
- Braking techniques
- Cornering
- Wheel lifts
- Climbing and descending
On paper, none of this was new to me.
But here’s what hit hard:
Knowing something is not the same as doing it well.
And more importantly:
Doing it often doesn’t mean you’re doing it right.
Lesson #1: Your “Ready Position” Is Probably Hurting You
One of the biggest eye-openers for me was body positioning—specifically the neutral and ready positions.
Like many riders of a certain vintage—who learned how to ride on (shall we say?) old school bikes with not-so modern geometry—I had been using outdated technique:
- Over-bending my knees
- Leaning too far back
- Sitting too low
- Carrying unnecessary tension
What I should have been doing? Hinging at the hips.
That one adjustment:
- Reduced my fatigue
- Improved my balance
- Made my bike move more freely beneath me
It sounds small…but it changes everything.
Lesson #2: I Went Back to Flat Pedals (And It Was Humbling)
I’ve ridden clipless pedals for years. I swore by them.
But during the course, I went back to flat pedals to dial in proper technique—especially foot positioning and stability.
At first, it felt like a step backward.
In reality, it exposed:
- Lazy footwork
- Poor pressure control
- A lack of true connection with the bike
Flat pedals don’t let you cheat.
They force you to:
- Stay balanced
- Drop your heels
- Move with your bike
And that’s exactly why they’re such a powerful teaching tool.
Lesson #3: Braking Is More Important Than You Think
I used to think I knew how to brake. I mean, it’s pretty intuitive, right? I was wrong.
Poor braking leads to:
- Skidding
- Loss of control
- Reduced confidence (especially on descents)
What I learned is that there’s a lot more to braking than simply slowing down—it’s about control and timing.
The front brake provides most of your stopping power, while the rear helps control speed and stability.
Master both and you’ll be:
- Smoother
- Safer
- More efficient
- And faster
Lesson #4: The Way You Learn Matters More Than What You Learn
This might have been the biggest takeaway of all.
The PMBIA teaching structure is built around a “training wheels” approach:
- Break skills into manageable pieces
- Control the level of challenge
- Build confidence progressively
It’s not random tips. It’s a proven system.
And once you see it, you realize why so many riders (like me) struggle to improve on their own:
They’re just guessing.
But the good news?
Most riders are far closer to improving than they think.
Why I’m Bringing This Back to Flow State
If you’ve been riding for years and still feel:
- Nervous on descents
- Inconsistent through corners
- Tired after short rides
- Like you’re hanging on for dear life on techy trails
It’s not because you need more time on the bike.
It’s because no one has shown you how to ride properly.
What you actually need:
- Clear feedback
- Proper fundamentals
- A structured approach
That’s exactly what I’m bringing into private mountain bike lessons at Guelph Lake (for beginner to intermediate riders) and Arkell Trails (for intermediate to advanced riders — a GORBA membership or day pass is required).
What You Can Expect From a Private Lesson
This isn’t about overloading you with information.
It’s about helping you:
- Feel more confident on the trails
- Ride smoother and more efficiently
- Actually enjoy the ride instead of just surviving it
In most cases, we can identify and improve key areas like:
- Body position
- Braking control
- Cornering technique
In a single session.
Ready to Ride Better?
If any part of this resonates with you, it’s probably not by accident.
You don’t need to keep guessing your way through progression.
You can learn it properly—and enjoy every ride more because of it.
👉 Contact us to book a private mountain bike lesson at Guelph Lake or Arkell and start riding with confidence.