Andy Barlow – MBR

How to bunny hop a mountain bike

Andy Barlow — Sun, 02 Jul 2023 07:37:39 +0000

As well as looking pretty damn cool, the bunny hop is the Swiss Army Knife of mountain bike manoeuvres. It’s not how high you can hop but how you’re getting off the ground that really counts.

Learning how to bunny hop and quickly create lift will allow you to smooth out trails by using obstacles to your advantage, as well as impressing mates.

Here’s how to brake better and go faster

Andy Barlow — Sat, 01 Jul 2023 08:00:52 +0000

Braking isn't just about stopping - the right braking technique will actually mean you end up going faster overall on the trail, with more confidence and control

Knowing when to brake can give you the control to go faster. We uncover the science behind braking. Here's how to brake better.

How to get the most out of your visit to a bike park

Andy Barlow — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 16:15:32 +0000

Looking forward to uplifts, table tops, jumps, berms and turns galore? Make the most of your visit, perfect these skills, and elevate your ride level.

Once the preserve of downhillers, now trail riders are filling the minibuses, drawn by the promise of a month's worth of descending in just one day.

Be a better rider: how to choose the best line

Andy Barlow — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 14:07:10 +0000

How to plan ahead on the trails and pick the savviest lines. Ride smarter.

How to plan ahead on the trails and pick the savviest lines. Ride smarter.

E-bike skills every electric mountain bike rider should master

Andy Barlow — Tue, 23 May 2023 06:03:30 +0000

Andy Barlow from Dirt School takes those essential mountian bike tips that make for a smooth ride, and translates them across to electric mountain bikes, explaining the tweaks that make them work

Whether you’re new to e-bikes or you’ve been riding them since the year dot, getting the best skills advice on …Continue reading »

Essential electric mountain bike skills – the basics

Andy Barlow — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 05:22:21 +0000

Make the most of your e-bike by mastering a few key skills - then reap the rewards with easier climbs, better handling, longer rides and a whole lot more fun

There’s no denying that you can do more on an e-bike. The more people who try them the more people …Continue reading »

Learn how to master the wheelie with Andy Barlow from Dirt School

Andy Barlow — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 06:28:37 +0000

The wheelie is a classic bike skill, and it's not just cool - it's great for handling all sorts of technical terrain.

Try to keep the pedal strokes going as the forward momentum will help you balance

The wheelie is one of the most iconic bike tricks, and while it’s obviously a lot of fun and always …Continue reading »

How to endo on a mountain bike

Andy Barlow — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 06:18:46 +0000

The endo: a classic mountain bike move that's as practical as it is stylish. Master it, and you'll master steep terrain and navigating hairpin bends.

The endo doesn’t just look cool; it’s a next-level skill that has lots of applications. Use it to navigate tight …Continue reading »

How to ride down steep descents on a mountain bike

Andy Barlow — Sat, 28 Jan 2023 08:33:02 +0000

Looking to boost your confidence and control when the terrain heads down and starts to get steep? Andy Barlow from Dirt School breaks down the essential techniques you need to master gravity.

Riding on steep and technical trails is always a combination of managing grip, body position, balance and confidence…all of which …Continue reading »

Why track stands are useful and how to do them

Andy Barlow — Mon, 02 Jan 2023 10:49:29 +0000

Learn to track stand on your mountain bike and you’ll improve your range of motion, balance, confidence, and control

Looking at a fixed point on the ground is a great way of keeping your balance under control

It takes time, humility and lot of determination to really get your head around track stands, but the satisfaction of finally getting them is addictive.

How to ride smooth and clean on steep, technical, slippery trails

Andy Barlow — Sat, 19 Nov 2022 08:07:28 +0000

When the trails get wet, loose and rooty and grip is in short supply, it's important to clean up your technique, find traction where you can, and a smooth everything out.

Manualling off fast drops will keep your front end high and mean that both of your wheels can come down smoothly at the same time

Autumn is here. The trails are wetter, roots and rocks seem to be everywhere, and the ground that once provided …Continue reading »

How to ride wet roots and slippery trails on a mountain bike

Andy Barlow — Sat, 24 Sep 2022 05:00:59 +0000

Andy Barlow from Dirt School explains how to handle wet roots and slipper trails, from bike set up to body position and technique.

There are loads of things that will help you handle all that extra movement of natural trail in winter.

When the rains come and the trails are slick with mud and strewn with wet roots, it’s worth spending some …Continue reading »

Common mistakes road cyclists make when switching to mountain bikes

Andy Barlow — Sun, 05 Jun 2022 13:30:28 +0000

Looking to developing your road bike handling skills? These are the common mistakes you'll want to avoid, with advice from expert MTB coaches

Get lower than you thought possible and make space to move on the bike.

Ex-pro road rider James McCallum learns to take the rough with the smooth by controlling his body position.

How to ride faster without taking more risks

Andy Barlow — Tue, 21 Dec 2021 09:00:32 +0000

Let’s look at a game plan that will allow you to carry speed and set quicker times without increasing the chances of crashing.

Building speed

Let’s look at a game plan that will allow you to carry speed and set quicker times without exposing you to more risk.

How to maximise stability when push comes to shove on singletrack

Andy Barlow — Wed, 08 Dec 2021 09:00:15 +0000

If the secret in going fast is being a confident rider, then the secret to confidence is control.

Be stable

If the secret in going fast is being a confident rider, then the secret to confidence is control.

How to find your flow when mountain biking

Andy Barlow — Thu, 04 Nov 2021 14:22:48 +0000

Andy Barlow from Dirt School shows us how to get there, with some some deliberate techniques and skills to focus on. Follow his expert advice to effortlessly trickle down your local trails.

How to find your flow

Andy Barlow from Dirt School shows us how to get there, with some some deliberate techniques and skills to focus on. Follow his expert advice to effortlessly trickle down your local trails.

Hone your trail-riding by getting specific and setting targets

Andy Barlow — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 11:56:23 +0000

Get some goals!

With summer just round the corner and dry trails on the horizon again, make the best possible use of your time by setting some deliberate goals and making good progress.

How to get your mind and body back up to speed post-lockdown

Andy Barlow — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 08:00:24 +0000

As restrictions start to lift we're all looking forward to being able to ride our bikes a little further from our homes and visit some of our favourite riding spots once again.

As restrictions start to lift we're all looking forward to being able to ride our bikes a little further from our homes and visit some of our favourite riding spots once again.

How to manual a mountain bike

Andy Barlow — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 11:27:49 +0000

We’re going to break down the manual into its component parts and look at where it fits into the rest of your riding. Get it right and improve across the board.

What looks at first like the wheelie's cooler cousin is in fact one of mtb's foundational skills - read this guide to learn how to manual a mountain bike.

Mountain bikes have changed but outdated advice lives on

Andy Barlow — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 16:02:28 +0000

We reassess yesterday’s received wisdom to make sure it works for you on the trails today.

We reassess yesterday’s received wisdom to make sure it works for you on the trails today.

The five most frequently asked questions to a MTB skills coach

Andy Barlow — Mon, 11 Jan 2021 17:45:48 +0000

What are the most frequently asked questions on a skills day? We asked Dirt School’s Andy Barlow.

For maximum points in the air you need to be a frequent flyer

What are the most frequently asked questions on a skills day? We asked Dirt School’s Andy Barlow.

MTB history lesson: how DH racing technique has changed since the 90s

Andy Barlow — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 10:24:09 +0000

Learn from the pros and boost your technique with our MTB history class

Josh Bryceland performs at the UCI DH World Tour in Lourdes on April 10th, 2016 // Bartek Wolinski/Red Bull Content Pool // AP-1MYTF952S1W11 // Usage for editorial use only //

Taking a look at how mountain bike technique has evolved over decades, from the sat-down pedalling style of the 90s to the stable upper body of today.

How to get down steep stuff

Andy Barlow — Thu, 25 Jun 2020 10:05:43 +0000

How to tame steep trails

Don’t be intimidated by steep trails; learn the skills to handle even the gnarliest of tracks with control and confidence.

12 ways to get faster on your mountain bike

Andy Barlow — Mon, 08 Jun 2020 14:17:16 +0000

Going fast isn’t as risky as you think

Keeping it low-key by selecting the right line and timing your attack will boost your control and leave the showboaters for dead.

More bike skills you can practice in your garden

Andy Barlow — Fri, 27 Mar 2020 12:04:50 +0000

Endos and roll-backs can prove seriously useful when you get back on the trails

02. Let the rear wheel swing outward and round, help it with your legs too. Turn the bars as you and your rear end are swinging round

Spending time learning how to play on your bike will mean that, once you're out on the trails, you have better familiarity and more control.

Do you need to re-learn how to ride on a modern mountain bike?

Andy Barlow — Fri, 21 Feb 2020 13:10:39 +0000

Exploit the latest developments in bikes and trails by learning a new way of riding

To exploit today’s amazing mountain bikes, and adapt to seemingly ever more challenging terrain, new skills and techniques have to be developed.

Wheelies, back hops and cutties are fun but also improve your trailcraft

Andy Barlow — Tue, 04 Feb 2020 10:54:50 +0000

Car park skills!

Wheelies, back hops and cutties are fun but will also improve your trailcraft, so stop being self-conscious and upgrade your skills by relearning how to play.

MTBing saves lives: how more and more of us are finding solace in the singletrack

Andy Barlow — Wed, 29 Jan 2020 12:29:15 +0000

Should we consider a ride with some old buddies a crucial part of our mental health?

Andy Barlow from Dirt School breaks down a few different clients that he’s worked with over the years and how mountain biking ties them all together.

Why do so many of us struggle when it gets steep and rough?

Andy Barlow — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 11:20:13 +0000

Natural progression

Time invested in perfecting your position and braking at the right time reaps dividends when the terrain gets rowdy.

You’ve been braking incorrectly all this time and now it’s time to sort it out

Andy Barlow — Thu, 05 Dec 2019 13:08:16 +0000

Braking bad habits

Braking is about so much more than just stopiing, or taking the fear out of speed. Use your brakes with skill and style and you'll be faster and safer.