For those of us dwelling in the northern regions, winter often signals a hiatus from mountain biking. Trails get blanketed in snow; even when they don’t, they can be too muddy to ride. However, just because the trails need some thawing time doesn’t mean you can’t hone essential mountain biking skills. The good news is that you don’t have to venture far – your driveway is the ideal practice ground.

1. Master the Track Stand

While track stands are more commonly associated with road cyclists and commuters, they are undeniably a valuable skill for mountain biking.

Track stands empower you to balance your mountain bike entirely still without touching a foot to the ground. This skill proves beneficial on various trail features:

• Technical, rocky trails
• Technical climbs
• Tight corners
• Any situation demanding bike adjustments without dismounting

This skill is particularly handy if you ride with clipless pedals and shoes, allowing you to halt, make adjustments, and tackle the next technical trail section. The good news is that learning this skill begins right in your driveway.

2. Front-wheel lift for Climbing

Unless you exclusively ride in bike parks, some climbing is inevitable during your mountain biking adventures. Climbing can be genuinely enjoyable, especially on more technical trails. To conquer challenging ascents with satisfaction, you must grasp some fundamental mountain bike climbing techniques, starting with the front-wheel lift.

The front-wheel lift aids in:

• Surmounting obstacles (rocks, roots, small logs) on flatter trail sections at lower speeds
• Maintaining momentum over obstacles while ascending

Practicing a front-wheel lift at home is straightforward. Curbs serve as ideal “obstacles” and mimic the sensation of tackling a rock shelf on a trail.

3. Get a Grip on the Rear-Wheel Lift

Learning the front-wheel lift is essential, but it’s incomplete without mastering the rear-wheel lift. If you don’t lift the rear wheel correctly, all the momentum you’ve gained through a proper front-wheel lift can be lost when your rear wheel slams into an obstacle.

The rear-wheel lift helps you with the same challenges addressed by the front-wheel lift but for the rear of the mountain bike.

Stick to the same curb you used to practice the front-wheel lift. Instead of allowing the rear tire to roll over the curb as it trails the front wheel, shift your weight forward on the handlebars and endeavor to pull the rear wheel toward you.

4. Try the Stoppie

This one is bound to impress your mountain biking comrades. A stoppie involves grabbing a handful of front brakes, causing your mountain bike to halt with only the front wheel in contact with the ground.

Beyond looking incredibly cool, stoppies serve practical purposes on the trails:

• The front brakes reduce speed, making stoppies crucial for swift stops while maintaining control. However, they necessitate proper technique to avoid going over the handlebars.
• You can reposition yourself on the trail by pivoting on your front tire, particularly useful in tight spots.
• An advanced skill involves swapping out the track stand for tight corners and descending tricky switchbacks using a stoppie.

Any section of driveway or vacant road will suffice for practicing stoppies. When you start, begin conservatively, gradually increasing your speed and reliance on the front brakes as your confidence grows.

5. Navigate Skinnies with Finesse

Skinnies, often fashioned from fallen logs, are wooden structures perfect for mountain biking. The name “skinny” arises from the narrow, challenging nature of these structures.

Once again, your curb alongside the sidewalk is a great venue for practicing skinnies. Set a goal of riding from one driveway to another. If sidewalks and curbs are scarce in your area, 2 x 4 lumber provides an excellent alternative.

Skinnies practice enhances:

• Overall balance
• Confidence when tackling real skinnies on the trails
• Staying on course along narrow trail segments

Your driveway serves as an ideal training ground to nurture these vital mountain biking skills, ensuring you’re well-prepared when the trails beckon once more.

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