Mountain Bike Skills with Paul Howard of ZEP Techniques
Apr 20, 2020
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In this podcast, Paul Howard discusses the top skill mountain bikers should work on, debunks myths about mountain bike skills, explains the relation between skills and fitness, and talks about the PMBIA's role in coaching. He also touches on the evolution of mountain bike instruction, ZEP Mountain Bike Camps' target audience, and the benefits of mastering fundamental skills in mountain biking.
Prioritize mastering fundamental cornering and pressure control skills over jumping for safe and effective skill progression.
Address common mountain biking myths to improve skill development, focusing on proper front brake usage and body position.
Evolution of mountain bike instruction emphasizes standardized teaching methodologies to enhance lesson quality and riders' learning experiences.
Deep dives
Bike Park vs. Enduro Camps: Developing Core Skills
When riders sign up for Bike Park or Enduro Camps in Whistler, they often seek to enhance jumping skills. However, the coaching approach typically involves evaluating and improving riders' fundamental cornering and pressure control techniques. Emphasizing the importance of mastering these core skills before advancing to jumping helps ensure safety and effective skill progression.
Mountain Biking Myths: Front Brake Instruction and Body Position
Common myths in mountain biking, such as avoiding the use of the front brake for beginners, can hinder skill development. Addressing these misconceptions and focusing on teaching proper front brake usage and body position is vital. Educating riders on beneficial techniques like using the front brake for control and maintaining centered body positions can significantly impact their riding abilities.
Evolution of Instruction: Focus on Teaching Methodologies
Over the past 15 to 20 years, mountain bike instruction has evolved with an emphasis on consistent teaching methodologies. Instructors now prioritize structuring lessons effectively and delivering the right content, ensuring a standardized approach. By focusing on pedagogy and recognizing teaching as a crucial skill, instructors strive to enhance the quality and effectiveness of lessons, encouraging a more systematic and impactful learning experience for riders.
The Evolution of Coaching and Equipment in Mountain Biking
Coaching in mountain biking has evolved alongside bicycle technology, where coaches continuously adapt to new equipment like e-bikes. The industry is focused on enhancing coaching methods and resources to align with technological advancements. For instance, specific e-bike instructor modules have been developed to integrate traditional coaching methods with new bike technologies, emphasizing the importance of staying ahead in coaching practices to improve riders' experiences and skills.
The Interplay Between Skill Development, Fitness, and Instruction in Mountain Biking
The relationship between mountain bike skills, fitness, and instruction is crucial for riders' progress. While physical fitness and dexterity are fundamental for bike control, developing riding skills is equally significant. Riders often tend to attribute challenges to either lack of fitness or skills, highlighting the necessity of balancing both aspects. Effective coaching provides assessment and feedback, accelerating skill development, confidence, and overall riding enjoyment, demonstrating the synergistic nature of fitness and skill development in mountain biking.
Paul Howard has been coaching mountain bikers all around the world for over 20 years now. He’s a co-founder of the Professional Mountain Bike Instructors Association (PMBIA) and is the owner and head coach at ZEP Mountain Bike Camps in Whistler.
In this episode, Paul shares the #1 skill mountain bikers actually need to work on, and how that’s often different from the skills they think need improvement. We talk about mountain bike skills myths, how mountain bike skills and fitness are related, and whether watching videos online can be a substitute for in-person skills coaching. Paul also fills us in on the PMBIA and its role in improving coaching in the mountain bike world.
