November 21, 2017
When Griff recorded a video of him attempting to clean a difficult boulder and posted it to the Mountain Bike Skills Network (MTBSN) community, the feedback he got jumpstarted his thinking about the importance and attraction of sessioning, something he did constantly in his previous life riding mototrials. It deepened a few days later when he went indoor rock climbing. And by late summer, inspired by a club in the state of Virginia, the MTBSN Sessionistas group was formed.
We want to hear from you! If you have any questions, comments, or ideas for the next episode, contact us at ben@mountainbikeradio.com.
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Video: Sessioning the boulder at Lebanon HIlls MTB Trail
Facebook post with discussion: Sessioning the boulder
Techy Riders Social Club (state of Virginia)
MTBSN Sessionistas - MN, Twin Cities
Standard show links:
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July 14, 2017
The MTB Skills Network Show Page
When Griff repeatedly failed to learn to bunny hop on his own, no matter how many how-to videos he watched, he took an online course. After a 3 month struggle, he’s now a beginner but was amazed at how difficult it was. In this episode, he explains his top 5 reasons why it’s so hard to learn. If your expectations are realistic, you stand a better chance of learning what some say is the most difficult skill in mountain biking: the bunny hop.
We want to hear from you! If you have any questions, comments, or ideas for the next episode, contact us at ben@mountainbikeradio.com.
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MTBSN Community Discussion of bunny hop difficulty:
Ryan Leech’s Membership that includes his courses on Bunny Hops and Manuals (affliliate link):
Wikipedia definition of a bunny hop
Standard show links:
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May 24, 2017
Mtb Skills Network Podcast Show Page
In this episode, Griff explains why learning track stands is so helpful for riding tighter and steeper uphill switchbacks.
Track stands are sometimes considered just a bike trials-type balance maneuver, most often used when waiting the light to change and you want to show off. However, they’re actually a foundational mountain biking skill, appropriate for riders to learn who are at an intermediate-level or above. Tight slow-speed turns become easier once you learn to track stand, as do the the more advanced skills of hopping and rocking.
We want to hear from you! If you have any questions, comments, or ideas for the next episode, contact us at ben@mountainbikeradio.com.
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Video of Griff taking two different lines up a steep, rocky, tight switchback
Ryan Leech’s Baseline Balance Skills Course that includes the Track Stands module (affiliate link)
James Wilson podcast episode: Why the trackstand is an essential skill for every mountain biker
Join the Mountain Bike Skills Network Community Facebook group
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April 5, 2017
What do you do when your rear wheel is about to impact a decent size rock, log, or ledge?
If you're a beginner or intermediate-level rider, you probably rely on some combination of momentum, traction, rear suspension, hope and prayer.
If you've taken an MTB 101 course, your instructor probably taught you how to 'load and explode' followed by a lifting of the rear wheel with a scooping/clawing of the pedal with the rear foot. And you probably never do that type of 'lifting' for good reason.
In this episode, Griff explains why rear wheel unweighting is much more useful than rear wheel lifting. Plus, it's much easier to learn.
We want to hear from you! If you have any questions, comments, or ideas for the next episode, contact us at ben@mountainbikeradio.com.
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I recorded this video of me going over this rock at Lebanon Hills Mountain Biking Trails on a hardtail fat bike about a year ago. As you can see in the stop motion segment, I’m not using a bunny hop.
I’m using a manual to lift my front wheel so it kisses the top of the rock. I then load/compress my weight (not enough, it appears) and then ‘explode’ straight up, unweighting my rear wheel early enough so that it is rising up off the ground as it impacts the rock.
I’m not scooping or clawing or lifting my rear wheel with my trailing right foot at all.
"Using a manual and rear wheel unweighting to get over a big rock"
I made this short video a couple years ago, demonstrating rear wheel unweighting over some small firewood, followed by rear wheel unweighting up a curb, no front wheel braking.
In the last segment, it might look like I’m using a scooping/clawing/lifting technique with my rear foot, toes pointed down. But I’m not. I’m just leaping, with hand pressure on my bars opposed with foot pressure on my pedals.
"Rear wheel unweighting vs rear wheel lift"
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Rear wheel unweighting vs rear wheel lift discussion in MTBSN FB Group
Griff’s affiliate link to Ryan Leech
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March 17, 2017
Mountain Bike Skills Network Show Page
THIS EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY EPIC RIDES
ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Griff is new to Mountain Bike Radio and this episode will introduce him, the new show, and everything he has going on. Griff has a lot of experience teaching and working with people and we’re excited to have him on Mountain Bike Radio to share his knowledge with you. Listen in to this episode to get to know Griff better.
About Griff:
Griff Wigley, AKA Mountain Bike Geezer, aims his show at advanced recreational mountain bikers who want to have more fun while riding more technical trails, terrain, and features with less fear and fewer crashes. He gives you the “What” and the “Why” of a skill and then discusses the “Where” to go to get the “How”. Tune in regularly and you’ll find yourself riding smoother, crashing less, and having more confidence as you take on new trails and challenges on your mountain bike.
We want to hear from you! If you have any questions, comments, or ideas for the next episode, contact us at ben@mountainbikeradio.com.
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Cannon River Offroad Cycling & Trails (CROCT) Website
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Cannon River Offroad Cycling & Trails on Twitter