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back to home page An introduction to Forest Freeride coaching button Guided rides & trips
Mountain Bike Coaching designed to increase confidence, improve your skills and help you become the rider you want to be
Accommodation available here and in the area Frequently asked questions about course requirements Reciprocal links of interest tree lined track
illustrated trees
deserted trails mountain biking in wales

While the physical skills and techniques of riding are very important, it's fair to say the mental ones are even more important … learning to control your mind is pivotal in learning how to control your bike. We'll explain why you get nervous, how your self preservation instinct affects your riding, why you brake at the worst possible moment and the reason most people don't like left hand switchbacks.

At the end of every course each rider will receive a set of course notes. The detailed course notes will assist you to perfect all the techniques when you're back on your local trails.
• Courses for all levels of rider.
• Purpose built training sections and obstacles.
• Low coach/pupil ratio.
• MBLA qualified instructors.
• One to one at no extra cost.
• Secluded, private location.
mountain bike skills
1 day mtb progressive skills
Cost: £75 per person
Whether you been mountain biking for years or have only just started, our One Day Course will get you riding smoother and quicker with more confidence and control. Dates aren't allocated to the courses, so you can choose a date that suits you best. One-to-one coaching is available at no extra cost. If you want to borrow a bike, we don't charge for this but please let us know in advance.

The day starts at 9.30am and finishes approximately 4.30pm. You'll need to bring a packed lunch with you as we aren't near to any shops. If you have any questions or would like to check date availability either ring Stuart on 01650 521301 or email:

Ask a question or book now
Need accommodation?

Make this a present with a gift voucher click here to buy your voucher on-line. Vouchers can be used towards other rides/courses (if you happen to buy the wrong gift).
If you're new to riding then it's important to get off on the right foot, learning the correct techniques now, can save you all kinds of problems in the future. Feeling in control leads to increased confidence, so that's where we'll start. Once you understand the techniques needed to control your bike we'll continue the steady progression, adding different sorts of terrain, obstacles and gradients along the way. By the end of the course you'll be in a position to confidently ride trails that you wouldn't have contemplated the previous day. Some of the areas covered include:

Positioning yourself on the bike.
Braking, how to use them safely and effectively.
How to safely roll obstacles, steps, small drops, etc.
Off road climbing techniques.
Low speed control.
If you've been mountain biking for a while with no formal coaching, then there's every chance you've developed some bad habits. Most are fairly easy to correct once they've been identified and once corrected can make a massive difference to your riding. The progression from this is to then focus on the areas you want to improve (the morning session may have improved some already). Maybe it's switchback climbs, manualing drops or perhaps you can't seem to find grip in off camber corners? Whatever it is, we won't just show you how to do something, we'll also explain why, so you'll be less likely to develop any new bad habits in the future! Some of the areas covered include:

Speed perception.
Line choice and reading the trail.
High speed corning ... finding grip.
Obstacles at speed, drops, steps, etc.
Switchbacks ... up and down.
Removing the fear and learning to focus.
mtb tuition
2 day mtb coaching courses
Cost: £135 per person
This course is a great opportunity to develop your riding no matter what level you're at.

For beginners, two days training and practicing will really help you to learn new techniques and improve your confidence. Starting from the 'ground up' we'll gradually build your riding skills and your understanding in controlled, progressive steps.

For those of you with more experience, a two day course is the perfect way to gain an in-depth understanding of both the physical and mental techniques required to help make you the rider you want to be. Each day starts at 9.30am with a 4.30pm finish on day one and 3.30pm on day two. If you want to borrow a bike, we don't charge for this but please let us know in advance.

Dates aren't allocated to the courses, so you can choose a date that suits you best. One-to-one coaching is available at no extra cost. If you have any questions or would like to check date availability either ring Stuart on 01650 521301 or email:


Ask a question or book now

Need accommodation?

Make this a present with a gift voucher click here to buy your voucher on-line. Vouchers can be used towards other rides/courses (if you happen to buy the wrong gift).
Two days allows us to cover every facet of riding in real detail. There's a gentle progression through the course, with each new skill or technique sitting firmly on the foundations set by previous ones. We'll start with the fundamentals, after all it's these that underpin everything else. With the 'core' elements honed, we'll start to progress through the numerous skills and techniques. Our purpose built trail sections and individual obstacles not only allow us to move quickly between different scenarios but also revisit any easily, so you spend less time pedalling and more time learning. Some of the areas covered include:

Braking techniques and speed control ... using the brakes to your advantage.
Dealing with speed and your perception of it.
Trail obstacles at low and high speed ... how to clear the stuff that gets in your way.
Drops and jumps ... perfect your technique and reduce the fear.
Cornering, low and high speed, switchbacks, etc. How to maximise grip and correct line choice.
Learn how to read the trail, anticipate obstacles and position yourself on the ground.
Body position and its effect on your riding ... learn to 'ride light'.
Dispelling the mountain bike myths.
ladies only mountain biking
female mtb courses
Cost: £135 per person
Girls Only Weekends are designed for women with some mountain bike experience who want to build their confidence without encountering the 'willy waving bravado' sometimes found on male orientated courses.

We meet lots of women who's confidence starts to dwindle when things get steep and technical or their wheels leave the ground. For this, our Girls Only Weekends are the perfect antidote. We'll obviously teach you the physical skills and techniques required to control your bike in any situation but we'll also explain the mental aspects that'll help you beat the 'fear'. Is your bum oddly drawn towards the saddle on the approach to a drop or step? Do you believe that the second you stop braking your bike will turn into a run away freight train? Do you dread that bit of trail with the tight downhill corner?

If you want to borrow a bike, we don't charge for this but please let us know in advance.


Ask a question or book now

Need accommodation?

Make this a present with a gift voucher click here to buy your voucher on-line. Vouchers can be used towards other rides/courses (if you happen to buy the wrong gift).
Some of the areas covered include:
Body position and bike dynamics ... what effect do you have on the bike and what should you do about it.
Braking ... properly not continually :-)
Confidence at speed ... learn how to alter your perception of speed and ride faster (and safer).
Dealing with low and high speed trail obstacles ... how to get over, through and up things.
Cornering techniques ... from a low speed switchback to fast flat corners and everything in-between.
Getting your wheels off the ground ... and back down in one piece.
Drops, steps and jumps ... how to confidently ride the scary parts.
Technical climbing techniques.
COURSE DATES

Weekends in 2016:
Feb 20/21
Mar 12/13
Apr 23/24
May 28/29
Jun 4/5
Jul 9/10
Aug 6/7
Sep 17/18
Oct 22/23
Nov 5/6
learn all aspects to mtb
mtb maintenance courses
navigation for mountain bikers
If you don't know a bottom bracket from a headset then we can help. We're going to be running one day Mountain Bike Maintenance Courses throughout the year. All the basics will be covered and a few not so basics too.

We'll look at everything required to enable you to look after your bike whether at home or on the trail. Or even build up your dream bike from a bare frame. Apart from the satisfaction of doing your own maintenance and repairs you'll also save yourself a fair sum of money by not having to take your pride and joy to the bike shop every other week. We understand that not everyone has access to every bike specific tool ever made so we'll also explain how to improvise in certain situations. The course is designed to be very much hands on so feel free to bring your own bike even if it's a collection of parts for assembly. You may as well start as you mean to carry on!
Cost: £80 per person

Areas covered include:
Gear adjustment and servicing.
Replacing cables.
Headset overhaul/adjustment.
Disc and V brake servicing.
Wheel truing.
Puncture repairs / tyre repairs.
Understanding suspension.
Get you home fixes.

Dates aren't allocated to the courses, so you can choose a date that suits you best. If you have any questions or would like to check date availability either ring Stuart on 01650 521301 or email:

Ask a question or book now

Need accommodation?

Make this a present with a gift voucher click here to buy your voucher on-line. Vouchers can be used towards other rides/courses (if you happen to buy the wrong gift).
If you've ever wanted to plan your own mountain bike route or fancied a ride into the wilds for an epic adventure, then this course could be just what you need. We'll show you everything needed to get yourself from A to B and very importantly, back again.

Throughout the morning you'll learn the skills required to plan a route, find the hidden trails on your doorstep, relocate when you get lost and gain the confidence to just get out on your bike and explore. During the afternoon you'll get the opportunity to devise a route, compile a route card, work out how long the ride should take and what we might encounter on the way. Then there's only one thing left to do ... put it into practice with a ride into the hills! We'll provide maps, route cards, compass, romer etc on the day.
Cost: £65 per person

Dates aren't allocated to the courses, so you can choose a date that suits you best. If you have any questions or would like to check date availability either ring Stuart on 01650 521301 or email:

Ask a question or book now
Need accommodation?

Make this a present with a gift voucher click here to buy your voucher on-line. Vouchers can be used towards other rides/courses (if you happen to buy the wrong gift).
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Forest Freeride, Ceulan, Pennant, Llanbrynmair, Powys SY19 7BH
Telephone: 01650 521301
Email: [email protected]

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