Why a MTB skills course?

I was looking through Singletrackworld’s archived polls, for some research into who it actually is that rides these mountain bikes…

I came across this one:

Have you taken any form of mountain bike skills instruction?

• No, but I keep meaning to get some. (30%, 100 Votes)
• Yes, I’ve been on a skills course. (26%, 87 Votes)
• No. Don’t need any. I’m completely self-taught! (18%, 61 Votes)
• Yes, I’ve been on several courses (7%, 25 Votes)
• Yes, I’ve had some informal instruction from good riders (7%, 23 Votes)
• Some other answer (6%, 21 Votes)
• Yes, I’ve been on SMBLA/ML courses (3%, 11 Votes)
• Yes, and now I’m an instructor (3%, 9 Votes)

Total Voters: 337
Start Date: April 29, 2013 @ 12:13 pm

So, a fair number from this group think a course would be a great idea but haven’t got round to it. A significant number are self taught and don’t feel the need. Some have been taught informally by other riders.

In my experience, one thing that these 3 groups have in common after actually doing course is a sense of surprise as to what else was possible

Before doing a course, some people underestimate themselves, some people are relying on ‘bravery’, some people make it around their preferred grade of trail but just feel there’s a certain something missing.

A course or maybe 2 gives you a complete set of ‘tools’ which may otherwise take years to collect, or may never arrive at all. It also gives you confidence & consistency in the skills you already have, by letting you understand exactly how they work & how to refine them.

Some of the ‘self taught & fine with it’ group only arrive on a course because a concerned relative has made them do it or a mate is going & needs some moral support. In my experience these are the ones that are most taken aback by some decent instruction, maybe because they have a good foundation that’s ready for all the finishing touches to be put in place.

If you want to take the plunge, there are always 1:1 & 1:2 days available and in April 2015 there are 2 group courses, a foundation course & a next level course. They’re starting to book now, so don’t leave it too late! Take a look at the comments people have left, as there’ll likely be comments from someone who’s your type of rider somewhere in the list