Private Beginners MTB Course

Comfortable riding on flatter terrain and ready to take the next step? The Private Beginners Course is where we start turning your core riding foundations into real trail skills.

We build on your balance, body position and basic bike control, then introduce more dynamic techniques such as pumping, wheel lifts and controlled drops.

Because this is private coaching, the course progresses around your ability and confidence rather than following a rigid group timetable.

Time to turn the Stoke-O-Meter up

By this stage you should be comfortable balancing your bike and riding confidently on flat or smoother terrain.

Now we start introducing the movements that allow you to deal with more varied trail features while keeping the bike controlled underneath you.

Move with the bike

Learn to use your arms and legs dynamically rather than staying stiff and simply reacting to the trail.

Create flow

Start understanding how to use the shape of the trail to maintain momentum and generate speed.

Clear obstacles

Learn front and rear wheel lift techniques that make trail obstacles much easier to manage.

Progress safely

We only move onto drops and more challenging features when your technique and confidence are ready.

What will we work on?

Foundation Recap

We start by revisiting your key Intro Course skills.

This gives you a useful refresher, acts as a warm-up and lets your coach see how your riding has developed.

Body position
Balance
Bike and body separation
Braking control
Basic trail position

Pump It

Pumping is one of the most useful techniques you can learn early in your MTB progression.

It teaches you how to work with the terrain rather than simply rolling passively over it.

Loading the bike
Unweighting the bike
Using arms and legs independently
Understanding trail flow
Generating speed without pedalling

Front Wheel Lifts

Learning to lift the front wheel allows you to deal with roots, rocks, trail edges and other obstacles more confidently.

Weight shift
Timing
Using movement rather than strength
Keeping the bike controlled
Applying the technique on trail

Rear Wheel Lifts

Rear wheel control helps you become more dynamic and gives you another tool for dealing with obstacles and technical terrain.

Unweighting the rear wheel
Foot pressure
Body movement
Timing
Combining front and rear movements

Drop Technique

Once your foundations are working well, we can introduce small drops in a controlled and progressive way.

Approach position
Looking beyond the feature
Front wheel control
Landing position
Building confidence progressively

Beginner-course drops will be no higher than approximately 2ft and will only be introduced when your coach feels you are ready.

Trail Application

Learning a technique in isolation is only part of the process. We also help you understand when and where to use it on the trail.

Reading terrain
Choosing the right technique
Looking ahead
Connecting trail features
Building confidence through repetition

You don't need to be strong to lift your bike

One of the most common things we hear is:

"I don't think I'm strong enough to lift the bike."

The good news is that wheel lifts are much more about technique, timing and body movement than brute strength.

Learning to use your weight correctly makes the bike feel dramatically easier to move and gives you more confidence when obstacles appear on the trail.

Get the bike working with you

Before we start coaching, we will look over your bike and make small setup suggestions where required.

Things like tyre pressure, suspension, brake lever position and cockpit setup can make a noticeable difference to how stable and confident you feel.

Want your bike dialled before your coaching day?

Our SkillsLoop Bike Setup Tool gives you personalised starting points based on you, your bike and the way you ride.

It covers tyre pressures, suspension settings, cockpit setup, bar width, brake lever positioning and more.

Arrive with your bike closer to where it needs to be and spend more of your coaching time concentrating on your riding.

Try the Bike Setup Tool

Is the Beginners Course right for me?

This course could be a good fit if you:

Have completed the SkillsLoop Introduction Course
Are already comfortable riding on flatter terrain
Understand basic body position and balance
Want to start becoming more dynamic on the bike
Want to learn front and rear wheel lifts
Want to improve your pumping technique
Want to start progressing towards small drops
Feel ready to move onto more varied trail terrain

If you are completely new to mountain biking or still feel uncomfortable balancing and braking on smoother terrain, our Introduction Course may be the better starting point.

Progression without pressure

Private coaching means we can build the session around you.

If pumping takes a little longer to click, we can spend more time on it. If your wheel lifts are progressing quickly, we can move things forward.

Your safety comes first.

Drops will only be introduced when your coach feels your technique, control and confidence are ready.

Progression is never about forcing you onto a feature simply because it is listed in the course description.

Half day or full day?

Half Day

A focused session covering your main progression areas and ideal if you want to concentrate on a smaller number of techniques.

10:00am – 1:00pm

Full Day

More time to explore each technique in detail and apply your new skills across more trail terrain.

10:00am – 3:00pm

Includes a short break.

Which should I choose?

A half day works well if you already know which areas you want to improve. A full day gives us more time for technique development, repetition and trail-based practice without rushing.

Course details

Price

Private Beginners Courses start from £145.

Final price depends on the course length and number of riders selected.

Group size

Maximum group size is 6 riders.

Minimum age

Minimum age is 18, unless accompanied by an adult.

Site charges

Course prices include applicable site permission charges.

Want your own course edit?

Your own course edit is available as an optional extra.

Select the course edit option from the product options when booking.

Before you book

Please select the correct course length and number of riders before adding your booking to the basket.
All riders must bring a suitable mountain bike and helmet.
Please make yourself aware of our Terms & Conditions before booking.
SkillsLoop operates a no-refunds policy, with a 12-month voucher code offered where applicable.
Photos and videos may be taken for coaching and social media purposes.
If you would prefer not to be photographed or filmed, please tell your coach on the day.

Ready for the next step?

The Beginners Course is about taking the foundations you already have and starting to unlock what your mountain bike can really do.

Learn to move more freely, create flow, clear obstacles and approach new trail features with stronger technique and more confidence.

Contact SkillsLoop

Email: info@skillsloop.com
Tel: 07429325729
Facebook: SkillsLoop