Description
🚵♀️ Finding your Feet: Core Skills
Master the Fundamentals of Off Road Cycling
🎯 Course Overview
The aim of “Finding your Feet: Core Skills” is to tackle the essential foundations of mountain biking. Whether you’re brand new to the sport or looking to build confidence, this session introduces key techniques such as:
- Body position on the bike
- Braking
- Gears
- Trail awareness
Your coach will guide you through a series of MTB-specific coaching zones around the trail centre, helping you build skills in a safe, structured environment.
The course is based at Forest of Dean Cycle Centre, our local trail centre, giving you access to a variety of trails and plenty of time to practice under the expert eye of a British Cycling-qualified MTB coach.
👥 With a maximum of six participants, you’ll benefit from both group learning and individual feedback.
🕒 Session Details
- Start Time: 9:30 am (please be ready to ride by 9:15 am)
- Duration: 3 hours
- Location: Pedalabikeaway Trail Centre
- Group Size: Max 6 participants
🧭 Skills Covered
This session focuses on the core skills every mountain biker needs:
- Body position on the bike
- Braking
- Weight shift
- Future trail awareness
- Gears
- Small climbs and descents
📈 Coaching Pathway
“Finding your Feet: Core Skills” is the first step in our progressive coaching pathway. It’s designed to take you from beginner to confident trail rider—and beyond.
Already completed this course? Check out “FOD Flow” to continue your MTB journey and level up your skills.
👤 Age Requirements
This is an adults (18+) course. However, 16–18 year olds are welcome if accompanied by an adult also attending the session.
Ghizzi –
A lovely friendly, fun session, fully as anticipated and stated. Covered the basics on bike set up and safety, then ready position, future scanning and weight shifting, with some extra focus on groups specific requests and needs. I definitely feel more confident about tackling the trail and more aware of what I need to focus on and work on to enjoy riding even more! I can’t wait for the next session Flow…I would highly recommend. Cheers Windy.
P.S. Make sure you take plenty of water and possibly a high energy snack, 3 hours in this weather, even without a particularly strenuous ride, needs it. Enjoy.
Simon (verified owner) –
Rachel, the instuctor, was very professional throughout. Started with safety and basics then worked up to one dot downhill – didn’t expect that! She was really keen to give advice on bike set-up and our particular skill requirements. Some of us did the Verderer’s afterwards to put in practice what we had learnt and I had another go at the downhill, as well. Very pleased :
Robert W –
I’ve ridden on the road for many years, but I have never ridden a forest trail. Rather than just hire a bike and hope for the best, I decided to pay for a core skills course and it was definitely money well spent. Clare was a great coach who slowly built up our techniques and confidence. Before I knew it she pointed me downhill for the final descent back to the bike centre, told me I’d be fine and enjoy myself – and I was, thanks to her coaching.
This course is excellent value and it’s given me the confidence to practice the techniques a bit more by myself.
Dom (verified owner) –
Just had a session with Dave this morning. It was great and as a novice has given me the confidence to take the next steps.
David Windebank –
Amazing stuff!!! Thanks for the feedback!
Deborah (verified owner) –
We had a fabulous session with Todd. Learnt so much and developed loads of confidence. I can’t believe how much progress was made – thing I was so nervous of at the start I was riding with confidence by the end. Todd tailored the session to the ability of the participants and was always encouraging and challenging us to achieve more. Loads of fun – highly recommended