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Skills videos and resources to level up your riding

Updated: Dec 7, 2024

We've curated this list of the best videos online to help riders level up their riding skills, learn racing tactics, and maintain their mountain bike. There is something here for everyone, so revisit this page when you're looking to improve a specific skill.




Essential MTB Skills


Dialing in bike fit



Riding body position



Flat cornering, body position in turns


Climbing switchbacks



Line choice


Riding loose terrain


Advanced technical climbing drills


Riding roots


Riding steep descents


Riding rock gardens


Riding drops


What to wear on rides




Racing Tips


XC racing tips


Getting up to race speed


Where to attack / pass in a race


What is a NICA race like?




Mindset


Make the pain cave bigger


Rule of thirds


Not giving up




Nutrition


Performance impact of 100g+ carbs per hour on race day



Race nutrition




Mechanical


Quick bike check


Basic bike maintenance


Wash your bike!


Fix a flat


Carry tools and spares



Being Prepared for Rides


Essential Riding Gear

  • A mountain bike that fits you, and is in good condition

  • Helmet

  • Bike shoes

  • Weather-appropriate riding clothing (no cotton shirts, no jeans, etc.)

  • Eye protection (regular glasses, sunglasses, safety glasses from a hardware store, etc.)

  • Gloves (optional)



Ride nutrition and fuel

  • Water: Bring 500ml (spring) to 1L (summer) water w/ electrolyte mix per hour of ride time in water bottles or hydration pack

  • Fuel: Bring food to keep your energy up — plan for 50-100g of carbohydrates per hour of ride time


Tools

Mountain biking encourages self sufficiency. Every cyclist should be prepared to fix flats and manage basic bike repair on their own. Coaches are here to assist and help develop these skills, but are not carrying enough spare bits for the whole team.

 

  • Multi-Tool (Crank Brothers M19)

  • Pump (Lezyne Pocket Drive Pump - or whatever you can carry or pack)

  • Bacon Strips (Any will do, light and thin rubber “bacon” to plug tubeless tires)

  • Tire Lever (Park Tool TL-4.2C - most will do, though)

  • Spare Tube (any, or Tubolito if you’re fancy)

  • Spare chain lube

  • Something to pack it all in — saddle bag, frame bag, backpack, etc.

  • Extra Bonus Items:

    • Master Link pliers with spare master links (Wolf Tooth Pack Pliers w/ spare master links for your speed drivetrain)

    • Tire Boot (cover large cuts/punctures to protect your tube after a bad flat — Park Tool TB-2)

    • Tire Plugs (Dynaplug Racer, etc.)

    • Spare tubeless valve with spare valve cores (pack ‘em and you’ll never need ‘em)

    • Presta-Shrader adapter (pump up your tires at any gas station with this one weird trick)

    • Zip ties — because you never know


 
 
 

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