- Are you terrified of progressing your skills
because the fear of crashing takes over?
Well that can be a big problem so let's try and solve it.
(dramatic music)
It isn't uncommon for mountain biking to scare you,
in fact it's almost a certainty
that at some point you're going to reach a level
that you start to realize the trails you're riding
and the things you could attempt could be really dangerous,
that is just a fact of riding at the end of the day.
You're putting yourself in harm's way on purpose.
Actually, when you stay like that
mountain biking does sound like a really bad idea.
However putting yourself in harm's way
is really the only way to progress
so let's face your fears and get you en route
to a level up in bike-riding skills
First things first, literally sometimes it's easy to imagine
how big a drop or how long a jump you could do.
Once you've learned it that is.
Now although this visualization could
in one sense be great motivation,
it could also be a scary thought
about something you can't actually do yet.
So try to think about the small improvements
and the smaller versions of the moves in riding
that seem within reach.
It all has to feel within your capabilities, visualize yes,
but most importantly it needs to feel exciting
and within reach, not terrifying.
This seems so obvious and a no-brainer
but I'm emphasizing something more
than just wearing a helmet,
when I say pad up I really mean it.
Go on full-bore with it, shin guards, knee pads, gloves,
elbow pads, neck collars, shoulder and back protection too.
Throw the kitchen sink and keep yourself safe
as you try to progress.
Put that armor on!
Once you have that armor on
you'll have something of a superhero feeling about you.
This stuff really works
and it works when your skills have let you down.
That superhero effect
is also a fabulous version of fake confidence
that will also mean you can attack the riding
with an attitude that also helps you keep safe.
Knowing that, feeling that will keep you relaxed
and further add to your chances of pulling that move off
and landing that jump.
Run drills and practice the basics.
Running through basic skills is something
that needs discipline
but it can pay off in dividends.
No matter what skill you're trying to learn or progress,
they'll be basics that you must have mastered
before they're possible and I'm talking real basics here,
think about riding like figure eight turns
or balance skills like riding along double yellow lines.
Track standing, thrashing your local pump track
or climbing drills, all the elements of riding
will build confidence
and help you navigate the hump in the road
that holds you back,
your confidence is going to push you on.
Peer pressure is a motivator,
yep, peer pressure can be useful.
One thing I've always loved about discussing my riding
with others is how once you put it out there,
then those friends you've told
don't let you forget about it.
Now that can be helpful
and pressure is always nudging you along,
I won't lie though, it can feel uncomfortable
so it helps some but might not be for everyone.
What peer pressure can do
is build adrenaline and inspire.
Riding with those guys and girls
who have a little bit more skill than you
will place you in the front line
and see them now the lines that are in your future.
You can get confident at crashing as well as at riding.
Let's say you want to develop your jumping or tricks,
then use facilities like skate parks.
These places are fabulous for fast-tracking your skills.
One of the biggest advances in the training process
of extreme sports athletes over the last 20 or 30 years
has been the prevalence of foam pits and airbags.
These jump facilities have been extensively used
by the professionals for many years
but these days they're also a really fun
and accessible facility for all.
So hunt down your nearest and go and take the plunge,
you'll be amazed at the progress and confidence you gain
by crashing and experimenting with a degree of safety.
I say a degree of safety, you can still get hurt
Follow me in bro!
Another great way to use the power of those riding friends
and make advances and conquer your fear.
All you need to do is persuade that fellow rider
who has more experience and skill than you,
is to toe you into a few lines or jumps,
the ones you want to master.
The difference this will make
to your chances of success is huge.
It can take real determination
to conquer a jump for the first time
but when you're following another rider
into the jump at the right speed and with something
of this we're-in-it-together vibe going on,
well the difference just can't be overstated.
You can still pull out of course, no stress,
but even at that point
you're going to have a better understanding
of the speeds you need or don't need.
Of all the things I'm suggesting in this video,
this is the one I'd really recommend trying to access
because it's something
that even the pro riders do regularly.
Not even the top riders take it for granted
that they know the right approach.
They will often turn to another's experience
for some safe guidance.
What do you think?
Have I helped solve the fear-factor problem for you?
Let me know in the comment section down below.
Maybe there are some suggestions
you'd like to add down there
that could help a fellow viewer or rider
who's struggling with this problem,
if so add that comment
so they can learn even more from this video.
Thanks so much for watching.
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