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Course & Ride Calendar
See our full event programme -
General Private Skills Sessions
Graded to match your aspirations -
Private Technique Workshops
Terrain specific private sessions- Mastering Cornering
Level 3 skills for for intermediate riders - Mastering Rocks & Roots
Level 3 skills for for intermediate riders - Mastering Wheelies & Manuals
Level 3 skills for for intermediate riders - Mastering Steep Terrain
Level 4 course for advanced riders - Mastering Pumping & Flow
Level 4 course for advanced riders - Mastering Jumping
Level 5 course for advanced riders
- Mastering Cornering
Mastering Steep Terrain Workshop
Build confidence when the ground seems to fall away from your wheels
Do you find yourself losing your nerve when the trail dips steeply downhill ahead? Are you phased when a steep descent is littered with rocks, roots and steps? Do you find yourself pushing up more hills than you ride?
If this sounds like you then perhaps our Skills Workshop | Mastering Steep Terrain course might be able to help. Our highly experienced mountain bike coaches will take you through the techniques necessary to confidently tackle steep technical terrain in both directions.
After the clinic you'll receive an enormous boost in speed and commitment on steep descents, you'll be able to tackle technical terrain with more confidence than ever before and your climbing will receive a massive upgrade in the range of climbs you can attack.
Huge thanks for the fantastic day I had doing the Mastering Steep Terrain course and the guided ride. I had so much fun and really learnt a lot. I'm sure it will improve my riding massively and make the 3 peaks cyclocross race just a little bit easier and quicker!
Jez - Ottershaw, Surrey
Course outline
The skills taught and practised on this Skills Workshop include:
- Bike Set-up
Pre-ride checks
Bike sett-up
- Mind Skills
Relaxing on the bike and staying loose
Riding within yourself to stay in control
Positive thinking and visualisation
Dismissing distractions to maintain concentration and commitment
Developing confidence through fundamentals instead of luck - Descending Skills
Body position & movement
Choosing a line
Speed control
Steep corners (off camber & switchbacks)
Terrain types (rocks, roots, loose & steps) - Effecive Climbing
Gear selection
Body position & movement
Choosing a line
Power application & conservation
Terrain types (rocks, roots, loose & steps)
Is this course right for me?
Please read the following description. If this sounds like you, then you're perfect for this course:
If you have little or no regular off-road riding experience (less than one year), we strongly suggest that you join a Level 2 Singletrack Fundamentals course and practise regularly for at least a month to consolidate the learnings before booking this course
- You are already confident and competent in all aspects of our Level 2 course - Singletrack Fundamentals
- You regularily ride off road (at least twice a month) on blue and red graded singletrack trails at a trail centres or similar venues
- You have your own mountain bike (we have bikes available to hire if your bike is not available)
- You can already ride confidently on narrow singletrack trails with small rocks, roots and steps
- You participant in formal exercise at least twice a week and at least one of these sessions is technical mountain biking
- You can ride moderately steep terrain at a steady pace
- You can ride for at least three hours comfortably
- You are aged 18 and over unless accompanied by an adult also participating on the course
If this sounds beyond your current skill and fitness level, please choose our Singletrack Fundamentals course instead or have a look at our choosing the right course FAQ page.
Typical programme
Morning or afternoon sessions are available usually keeping to the following programmes:
Morning programme
- 09:15-09:30 Arrival at course venue
- 09:30-09:45 Course commences, introductions and equipment check
- 09:45-13:00 Singletrack skills coaching and practise
- 13:00 Course ends
Afternoon programme
- 13:45-14:00 Arrival at course venue
- 14:00-14:15 Course commences, introductions and equipment check
- 14:15-17:30 Singletrack skills coaching and practise
- 17:30 Course ends