FAQ's

We’ve compiled a list of questions we get asked most often.
Still not finding the answer you’re looking for? Contact us directly.

• Why would I need a MTB skills day when I have a friend/spouse that can teach me?

Breaks down the skills and explains what, why and how to do them

Builds up your confidence through progressions as you start to get it

Knows what to teach, in what order, and how to explain it different ways

Knows what to look for if you’re not getting it

Are patient and understanding of the learning process (you pay us to be!!!)

You could try to learn mountain biking skills from a friend, but just because someone is a better MTB rider than you doesn’t mean they’ll be a very good teacher of mountain biking. In fact the more naturally talented they are the less likely they are to be able to teach you. The more instinctive a rider is, the worth coach he is likely to be.

And if you’re married, and want to stay that way, you probably shouldn’t ask your spouse to teach you. It doesn’t usually work out so well.

Thinking of trying to teach your children?  Especially if they’re teenagers, chances are they think you don’t know anything about anything before you even begin.

So cut down on your learning curve, keep your relationships intact, hire Stockholm Bike Skills (or any other good professional mountain bike coach for what matters) and you’ll become a better MTB rider!

• Won't I become a better rider if I just ride more?

Honestly, it drives me crazy when I hear people say, “You just need to ride more!”. When something is not working, more of the same has hardly ever be the answer.

Yes, just riding more can help improve your endurance, but if that’s all it took to improve the many skills you need, everyone who had the time to ride would be an awesome mountain biker.

Want the truth?  Mountain biking skills aren’t always that intuitive, most are actually very counter intuitive.

And if you keep practicing bad technique, well, you’re just going to build muscle memory in bad form that you’ll have to fix later if you want to become a better MTB rider.

• I have never ridden a bike off road before and I feel a little concerned that I may not have the ability?

 This is a common concern, but the vast majority of participants leave the course with a feeling of self-achievement and a new appetite for Mountain biking. Don't forget that the beginner's course is aimed at newcomers to Mountain biking, so relax and have fun.

• What if I find some of the tasks on the course too difficult or intimidating?

Obviously we want you to get the best from the courses, which have been structured to promote enjoyment and learning. The coach would to the best of his ability, assess your suitability to carry out any given task and would not advise you to proceed, if he felt that there was an unacceptable level of risk. If for any reason you did not feel comfortable in carrying out any of the tasks, then please don't, its your day, have fun :-)

• I am worried that I am not fit enough and won't keep up?

Like any form of sport, the fitter you are the more you will enjoy it, although you don't need to be an athlete. And no-one gets left behind, and there are plenty of opportunities to get your breath back during the day. 

Please refer to individual course details for an indication of the required level of fitness. If you are unsure of your fitness levels please contact us, we will be more than happy to offer sound advice.

• Vad behöver jag ta med mig till en kurs?

  • En väl fungerande MTB (en hybrid/comfort cykel är INTE en MTB)
  • En hjälm med bra passform (ett måste för att få delta)
  • Handskar och glasögon liksom knä-, vad- och armbågsskydd är bra att ha.
  • Kläder enligt väder
  • Släta pedaler är att föredra för kurser och turer
  • Skor som fungerar till dina pedaler
  • Mat: Hydration pack eller vattenflaskor och fika (och lunch för längre kurser)
  • Baskit med verktyg, tom slang och pump (vi kan oftast hjälpa er om ni inte har dessa saker)
  • Tissues, mobiltelefon och annat som du tror dig behöva en dag ute i naturen.
  • Rätt attityd!

• Why do we strongly recommend flat pedals for skills days and ride?

it is a recommendation, if you feel confident riding clipped in, not a problem. However let us count the reasons why flats pedals are better on a skills day:

1. We do a lot of slow-speed maneuvering drills and this affects balance.  Over the years I’ve witnessed so many clinic participants become distracted because they’re anxious about being able to get out of their clipless pedal system in time to avoid tipping over.  This distraction negatively affects their ability to learn.  And if they do tip over and get hurt (physically or ego), it’s not a very positive learning experience.
2. In order to develop certain skills properly you cannot depend on being attached to your bike.  You’re welcome to go back to clipless pedals once you’ve learned the techniques and proven to yourself that you can do the skills properly on flats.  In fact, once you learn the proper techniques on flats, you can transfer those skills to riding clipped in and you’ll ride even better than before, as long as you don’t revert to cheating and pulling up on your pedals because you’re attached to them.
3. The larger flat pedal surface is an advantage because you can place your feet a little further forward so your feet have a better platform and support.  This foot position enables the body to put more power to the pedals because the body can move in a more natural movement pattern.  Need more convincing?  Think about how much weight you can squat/deadlift (or how much power you can generate) by standing on the balls of your feet compared to having your feet flat on the floor.  If you just tried it you likely found that you’re not very balanced and wouldn’t be able to push anywhere near the weight as being flat footed.

• Foul weather policy?

We try to hold the skills days & rides rain or shine, snow etc... . It is the coach’s discretion to continue camp or not. But short of safety issues, it is happening. Mountain biking is a all weather activity...

• Do you offer any discounts?

To keep prices low, we aren’t able to offer discounts. Look at the investment in a skills day as a preventative cost saving measure. Think of all the expensive crashes you won’t have because you took the camp and did your drills!

• Cancellation Policy?

We hope you don’t have to cancel, but if you do, here’s the policy…

Full payment will be charged to your credit card upon registration for your skills day or ride. Cancellations made 30 days or more prior to the start date of the skills day or ride will be offered a full refund less a 50 kr administrative fee. Cancellations made 15-29 days prior to the start date of the skills day or ride will be offered a 50% refund. Cancellations within 14 days of the skills day or ride start date will not be offered a refund.

MTB Skills Training reserves the right to cancel activities due any events beyond our control but we will never cancel for low booking level. In the unfortunate case when we are to cancel a skills day or ride, alternate dates will be arranged in this case or a full refund will be provided.

• What about children?

We can accommodated teen from 15 years old with a parent or guardian so it is absolutely ok to book yourself with one or more of your teenager(s).

• Is there any difference in skills coached in the women only days?

No, same curriculum, same skills. Because women have a lot more self preservation than men we do cover fear, how to reduce it and work with it and the mental side more in women’s skills days but will do the same in normal skills days if needed. Just less perceive pressure. 

• Is my bike good enough?

For green and blue graded skills days and rides, you will need a reliable and well serviced mountain bikes (hybrid bikes are NOT mountain bikes), but you don’t have to spend a fortune, we always say it’s 80% rider skill, 20% bike quality. Full suspension, hardtail or even rigid bikes are fine.

For red and black graded skills days: if you reconsidering booking one, you do know the answer to that question...