Beginners’ MTB day report

Six riders turned out for Richardsons CC’s first Beginners’ Mountain Bike Day at Dalby on Sunday: Keith, Adam, Matt, Callum, Matt (yes, two Matts) and William. Coaches Mark G, Toby and Tom were on hand to give instructions and I tagged along to take pictures - see the Gallery - and practise trackstands.

We collected the free mountain bikes that the club has access to - for those that needed them - and got busy. Despite a bright morning in Scarborough, it was chilly up in Dalby, with frost still clinging to grass and trees - and a few sections of tarmac, as my Matt found out when he slid off on a corner at the start.

First off were some basic skills, like braking. Then we did a some climbing and descending, for both of which Mark stressed the importance of line choice. A light shower didn’t dampen the mood and when the sun came out we got a perfect rainbow.

More work on line choices took us over that rooty step down through the gap in the wall at the end of the red route, which we followed up with cornering on the berms.

Other Matt joined us at lunchtime. We practised slow-speed bike handling and ‘power assisted front wheel lifts’ - that’s wheelies to you and me. Then we headed uphill to join the end of the red route near where the new red and old red intersect.

There was plenty more riding, with several cyclists tackling trail obstacles they’d balked at before. Keith took a fall that - it turns out - partly tore a tendon (get well soon, Keith!) but apart from that it was all positve. Callum declared that it was ‘the best time he’d ever had on a bike’.

We might do this again when the weather’s a bit warmer in the spring. Thanks to Mark, Toby and Tom for arranging this.

2 Responses to “Beginners’ MTB day report”

1. Mark G says:

   December 16, 2009 at 7:21 pm

   We are hoping to run another day in March date to follow
2. KeithU says:

   December 16, 2009 at 8:13 pm

   Even though you broke me, yes it was a good day and i learnt quite a bit. Thanks to all.