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Mountain Bike Skills :: Intermediate/Advanced

2,173 REVIEWS – 5 STAR RATING ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

So you’re a competent mountain biker or XC racer and can ride most technical terrain with confidence. So why can’t you go as fast as your friends?

The answer is that you probably haven’t yet found your flow.  You’ve probably reached a plateau in your mountain biking and perhaps can’t ride faster on technical terrain without fear of crashing?

Or, maybe you’ve tried a few trails, but lacked the confidence to hit technical sections as hard as you would like?

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While we don’t require it, we highly recommend you take our Fundamentals clinic before signing up for our Intermediate/Advanced clinic.  The Fundamentals clinics will not only teach you the core, “must-have” skills required to be a more advanced rider, but give our instructors an opportunity to critique your riding.  We’ll point out any bad habits and recommend homework to best prepare you to take your riding to the next level.

The Int/Adv clinic builds upon your fundamentals and give you a full toolbox of mountain bike skills that you can apply to any terrain, in any location, and any in conditions; be it a gnarly back country trail or our local race course.  This full day clinic also looks closely at the key elements to finding your flow and builds upon your fundamentals to improve your trail speed and energy management.

Following training you will see an immediate improvement in your riding and a boost in your confidence on technical trails.  You will be able to tackle rougher terrain and trickier corners with greater control and negotiate bigger trail obstacles and moderate drops with confidence and commitment.  You will also gain a boost in speed and commitment on fast flowing single track, switchbacks, berms; all of which achieved with far less pedaling by using the topography of the trail to retain, and even, increase speed.

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Course outline

The skills taught and practiced on the Mountain Bike Skills :: Intermediate/Advanced course include:

  • Mind skills
  • Mastering manual front-wheel lifts
  • Manual dropping roots & steps
  • Cornering with speed & confidence
  • Reading & breaking down the trail
  • Introduction to energy management & flow
  • Linking trail sections for flow
  • Attacking flat corners
  • Flat and cambered corners
  • Bermed corners; lines and pumping
  • Switchbacks
  • Maximizing grip and traction with pumping
  • Learning to pump for speed & air

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Typical Schedule

Although the course is flexible it will usually keep to the following program:

  • 07:45-08:00 Arrival at course venue
  • 8:00-8:30 Course commences, introductions and equipment check
  • 8:30-8:45 Warm-up ride to skills area
  • 8:45-11:00 Accelerated review of Fundamentals with Int/Advanced progressions
  • 11:00-12:00 Practice progression in practice area.
  • 12:00-1:00 Lunch Break (bring your own, or we’ll pick a place nearby).
  • 1:00- 4:00 Hit the trails, practice everything you’ve learned on the trails.
  • 4:00 – 4:15 Recap, review of skills learned, questions.

 

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Sign up for an upcoming course here.. Register Today!

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I felt so confident that I recently signed up for the Catalina MTB Gran Fondo!

I participated in the beginner skill clinic at Malibu Creek last Saturday, because I'm truly a beginner who couldn't stop...
Ninja Mountain Bike Skills
5
2014-03-19T14:28:10-07:00
I participated in the beginner skill clinic at Malibu Creek last Saturday, because I'm truly a beginner who couldn't stop falling down during each mtb ride. The class was small and super fun...and the instructors (Richard and Kris) were informative and dynamic. The clinic was small enough for each member to practice each learned skill and receive immediate feedback. I learned many new skills on that day and felt much more confident with my bike-body connection. I felt so confident that I recently signed up for the Catalina MTB Gran Fondo...the 55 mile route! Woohooo!! The next day, as I was road biking (training for the Solvang Double Century), I dodged a bullet on the Snake/Mulholland by applying my learned mtb skills--a long towing truck went over almost half of our lane on a blind turn as we were descending. Instead of fixating on the truck, I remembered the importance of looking for a clear path and keeping my eyes on where I want to go....Now I understand what people meant when they said that mtb will help improve my road riding skills too! I'm grateful for the opportunity to learn, and I look forward to the next clinic! ~ Uyen N.  

Great clinic. I learned really useful skills.

Great clinic. I learned really useful skills… I’m ready for another clinic with more challenging terrain. ~Beatrice D.  
Ninja Mountain Bike Skills
5
2014-03-19T14:45:33-07:00
Great clinic. I learned really useful skills… I’m ready for another clinic with more challenging terrain. ~Beatrice D.  

I was so happy I could transfer what I learned in Sedona to my own trails.

I just rode on my local trails today after taking the Ninja clinic in Sedona. I was so happy I...
Ninja Mountain Bike Skills
5
2017-05-04T08:11:50-07:00
I just rode on my local trails today after taking the Ninja clinic in Sedona. I was so happy I could transfer what I learned in Sedona to my own trails. There is one drop and one off camber downhill section I never have had the courage or skill to ride until today. It was so fun to ride them and not get off and walk. Richard La China and Courtney Cowan were fantastic instructors. Not only did I up my technical skills in Sedona it was also a ton of fun! ~Patty Elliott

The clinic with Aaron was great!

Took the mini clinic on jumping skills because I can't resist the urge to get in the air even though...
Ninja Mountain Bike Skills
5
2017-06-05T14:29:02-07:00
Took the mini clinic on jumping skills because I can't resist the urge to get in the air even though I always knew I didn't really understand the mechanics of it, so it was a kind of "huck and hope" affair.  The result was that I didn't land about 1 in 5 attempts.  The clinic with Aaron was great!  He explained the mechanics of how the bike is handled coming into, through and out of the jump and starts with individual small skills progressing step by step in a very manageable way (even for me, and I started this stuff at 45 and I'm not very coordinated).  What I feel sets Aaron apart is his ability to communicate his explanations and demonstrate movements in a way that makes them easy  to learn even for someone with little experience.  He is also very patient and encouraging, which helps when one is starting out and struggling a little with some movements.  I definitely intend to do more clinics with Ninja MBS.  I feel like it will save me a lot of time and frustration as well as possibly a lot of money in medical bills! ~Jill M.

I would encourage anyone of any ability to take a class with these guys.

I recently attended one of the Intermediate/Advanced Efficiency and Flow clinics. Even though I have been riding for many years...
Ninja Mountain Bike Skills
5
2014-03-19T14:31:08-07:00
I recently attended one of the Intermediate/Advanced Efficiency and Flow clinics. Even though I have been riding for many years I learned a lot from this clinic. The techniques covered ranged from reviewing basic skills such as basic body position to practicing more advanced techniques like switchbacks, bunny hops, and cornering. I was able to recognize, get instruction, and practice some skills where I was weak and instantly improve them. Even skills I thought I was pretty good at I was able to pick up useful tips. I also realized that deliberate skills practice is not something I incorporate into my riding, but now that I understand what I should be doing I will make sure to add this in! After taking the course my comfort on the bike has improved and I am more aware of my body position and movement of the bike. I would encourage anyone of any ability to take a class with these guys. The instructors are knowledgeable and easy to work with. There is a lot of one on one help and they will make sure you understand the skills being taught and are able to perform them successfully. Plus the clinic was lots of fun! I highly recommend and hope to work with these guys again soon. ~ Michelle A.  

Can’t wait for the next one!

Although I’ve ridden a fair amount, I’ve never bothered to learn much technique so this was a great class that...
Ninja Mountain Bike Skills
5
2014-03-19T14:46:15-07:00
Although I’ve ridden a fair amount, I’ve never bothered to learn much technique so this was a great class that showed the basics. Can’t wait for the next one! ~ Greg M.  

The course was very fluid, engaging, and I would highly recommend it.

I took the intermediate/advanced course in Balboa Park after having ridden for just over 2 years on my own. It...
Ninja Mountain Bike Skills
5
2017-05-04T08:13:50-07:00
I took the intermediate/advanced course in Balboa Park after having ridden for just over 2 years on my own. It covered a wide breadth of skills, some of which I already felt aquatinted with and others I had little to no experience with. I found all of the material useful. I was able to improve skills I already had and was able to learn new skills. I also feel confident leaving the course that the instructors have provided all of the information for me to practice and improve outside of the course setting. The environment of Balboa Park was perfect for learning and sessioning the skills covered. The instructors were friendly, fun, and attentive to all of the participants. They spent more or less time on certain skills based on how the entire group was grasping them. They also gave individualized attention to participants that required more help with technique. The course was very fluid, engaging, and I would highly recommend it. ~Alexandra Rose Brysiewicz
5
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Ninja Mountain Bike Skills