Top Riding Tips from Bob & Ally:

MTB Batteries new 'Lumenator' 2LED Light test

Thu, 4 Oct 2012 15:36:08 +0100

We have been using ‘Smudges’ lights for a while now and we had an ace winter’s riding last year using both the original 1,000 lumen V1’s and then some of the newer V2 lights. For this winter he asked us to test the new 2,000 lumen ‘Lumenator’ 2LED light so here are our thoughts on them for you.

(If you don’t have the time to read all this then scroll down the page and just watch the video!)

We really liked the old V1 & V2 1 LED lights, they were cheap as chips, reliable and seamed to work as well as lights costing twice as much last year so this was going to be a tough one, they were compact gave us no trouble all winter and while some people did not like the more focused beam on them for the price they were really great lights and totally capable for all conditions and rides. We rode with the ideal set up of a low power set on the bars to light up the trail and another unit on the helmet so we could look down the trail to the next feature or braking point.

Clean your bike!

Tue, 19 Jun 2012 19:41:06 +0100

Your investment in your bike is kind wasted if you don’t look after it! Keeping it clean and free from muck and corrosion is pretty important as well as letting it function properly and also helps reduce the maintenance costs too. So here are some ‘Top Tips’ on how to look after it and keep it all in good order from our friend Jon from Fenwick’s, they know a thing or two about cleaning stuff!

Midweek skills tips No4: Stop Braking!

Fri, 11 May 2012 11:11:52 +0100

Braking is obviously a key riding skills but one we are all guilty of overdoing...allot! Especially when the trail get slippery, slidey, steep or technical. if you can control your braking, use good technique and just keep the bike moving you will be surprised at what you can get down. This will also build your confidence too. More speed can come later on when everything is together and we have started to flow with the trail!

Check out the vid here:

It’s hard to put all this together but it take time to build your confidence. If you would like any help with your riding or fancy doing a course with us contact us by clicking on the logo below:

Or give us a call: Mob: 07798662698 Office: 01978790155

Bob & Ally

Midweek Skills Tips No3: Use Pump Tracks

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:35:45 +0100

Pump tracks are getting everywhere and are great fun and importantly help you develop some really good skills that you can use riding no matter what your in to, XC,DH jump or just messing about with your mates. Developing good skills on a pump track will not only benefit your all round riding. You will get a great work out too!

Your bike is not that important, the least suspension the better really, hardtails are ace on them! Just drop your seat down, stand up and develop those Pumping skills!

They are also pretty much self limiting places too which makes them fantastic for younger riders. If you can get over the kids showing you up most of the time when you first get on there a few hrs spend on a pump track every now and again will really improve your ability to pump and soak up features on any trail.
So what are you waiting for an invitation? Get out there and have some fun!

These videos are really aimed to be used as a reminder for people who have been on courses with us. However if you would more information or to arrange some coaching for you or some friends just contact us via e-mail here:

Or give us a call: Mob: 07798662698 Office: 01978790155

Bob & Ally

Midweek skills tips No2: Manual Wheel Lifts

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 07:22:04 +0100

Lifting the front wheel up on to or over an obstacle on the trail is an essential skills for any style of riding. However most people still just try and ‘pull’ or ‘lift’ the front of the bike which leads to the wheel turning in the air or them pulling their body forward setting up for a great over the bars superman moment!

There are a couple of different ways to get the front wheel up or over something but if you practice and develop a good Manual wheel lift it will quickly lead in to nice smooth Bunnyhops, Jumping and good Drop off technique. So check out our quick tips here:

These videos are really aimed to be used as a reminder for people who have been on courses with us. However if you would more information or to arrange some coaching for you or some friends just contact us via e mail here:

Or give us a call: Mob: 07798662698 Office: 01978790155

Bob & Ally

Midweek Skills Tips No1: Cornering

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 23:04:32 +0100

Summer is here and were all getting out on our bikes more so no matter what your style of riding XC, DH or just messing about on your bikes we thought we would give you some top tips and handy hints on some real key skills. Cause were nice like that!

So here is the first of this summers weekly ‘Skills Tips’ from us. looking at cornering, a real simple skill but one that allot of people don’t understand or fail to do. Check out the video here, it won’t replace good coaching however it will help, enjoy:

If you have any questions or need any help with this just pop us an e-mail, click on the Campbell Coaching logo here:

Don’t forget to pop back next week and check out how to lift the wheel over a trail obstacle.
Happy riding!

Bob & Ally

Trail ‘Top Tips’ on the Coed y Brenin False Teeth Black section

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:18:48 +0000

Some of the new Forestry Commission Wales funded trail developments at Coed y Brenin are really fun sections of trail and the False Teeth Black section is no exception. However if your not using the right riding skills for this Black graded section there are defiantly a few features there that could catch you out!

Check out our latest Trail ‘Top Tip’ video here to see our take on riding this section smoother, with more flow, confidence and importantly how to keep out of trouble on it!

New Years Resolutions

Tue, 3 Jan 2012 12:26:38 +0000

1. Lose weight & get fitter
2. Get out on my bike more
3. Improve my riding and confidence
4. Spend more time with family and friends
5. Get my work and private life in ‘balance’

So we thought we would give you our ‘top tips’ on trying to help you actually achieve your New Years resolution this year!

1. LOSE WEIGHT & GET FITTER: This one is actually easy, you just have to ‘burn’ more calories than you take in, it really is that simple! Eat less or if you don’t want to do that then exercise more, if you do both it will happen quicker! Like many things in life the answer is often simple and all about a balance rather than a radical change. Walk to the shops, ride your bike to work, get up early at the WE and do something physical rather than lying in bed thinking about it. Eat healthy will obviously really help too!

1. GET OUT ON MY BIKE MORE: So just do it, get organised and actually plan it. Can you ride to work or get up early on your day off to fit a ride in before the other stuff you need to do? Have you tried night riding? (Check out our guide to NIGHT RIDING )

1. IMPROVE MY RIDING AND CONFIDENCE: We all have a huge potential in us a riders and also in other areas of our life’s, you just need to develop this hidden potential without any interference from your own mind, “I can’t do it” or “I always get it wrong” are common phrase’s we hear but it just means is that you have not learned to do it or developed your confidence.....yet. We can defiantly help you find the emerging rider that is within YOU, ofter this also can have a positive affect on other areas of your life too, great eh!

1. SPEND MORE TIME WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS: Modern life pulls us in so many directions it can be hard to sometimes prioritise the things that are actually important. Our family and friends are often the very foundation of our life and brining them up the long list of ‘things to do’ will enhance many things. So why not arrange a ride or walk with them but then throw in a secret picnic to to make it extra special. Go for a walk on a beach or all go and try something new? (If you fancy checking out our family MTB session’s click on the photo on the Left below)

1. GET YOUR WORK AND PRIVATE LIFE IN ‘BALANCE’: Generally try to work a bit less and enjoy your life more, easier said than done we agree, however it can be done. Got a huge problem at work? take a day off and go for a ride or do something different. Ofter the solution will pop in to your head when your not focussed on it and things will all make sense. Got too much responsibility then pass some of it on and delegate work so you can all work ‘smarter’ and actually do the work you are supposed to be doing rather than everyone else's just because you don’t think they will do it to your standard, tough it will still get done and you will have more time for hobbies, friend and family and a social life.

At the end of the day it’s all really boils down to motivation, you can achieve amazing things you did not think were possible if you just shed all your excuses and mental ‘I can’t do it’ thoughts behind you and get on with it. Set a long term ‘dream goal’ and then brake it down in to much easier steps that you can realistically achieve and tick them off, what are you doing today to achieve your long term goal?

Write it all down and this will help you keep motivated and also focus you too. Some of the key things that your dream goal needs to include to keep you really motivated are:

Challenge, Curiosity, Control, Fantasy, Competition, Cooperation and Recognition

So there you have it, our Top Tips to the most common resolutions we come across. Might all sound very simple you say? well, ofter it is once you strip away all the clutter around it and actually focus on what you really want to do it is. If you want any help to actually achieve your resolutions this year or help in goal setting or training drop us an e-mail by clicking the logo here:

Bob

10 Top Tips for MTB Night Riding

Tue, 6 Dec 2011 08:39:25 +0000

If you have not been out on your bike at night yet you really should try it! Night riding is great fun and brings lots of benefits, not least of all is just getting more bike time over the long dark winter months! (which is enough reason on it’s own really) However if you spend a bit of time on the bike over the winter you are going to have some more advantages in the the spring too. You will be fitter, sharper and stronger on your bike which is only going to be a real bonus to your enjoyment next year and if you do it right you will actually also improve some of your ‘Core’ riding skills too and with the price of decent MTB lights now quite reasonable there is no excuse for not getting out there and having some winter fun!

the Adam & Eve trail at Coed y Brenin

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 21:40:03 +0100

The new Adam & Eve trail section at Coed y Brenin is a really fun and funky new addition to the forest and it’s quite different from most of the other sections of trail there too. Fast ‘S’ bends, cool table’s and a step up hip as well as a host of other fun features make up this 300 + meter section of trail. Check out our quick video here for some top tips on how to get the most out of it:

Be a Better rider Part 4 - Heels

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 17:30:34 +0000

We where asked by Singletrack to help them with Part 4 heels, Be A Better Rider in there coaching Section.
Once you’ve watched have a look at the other coaching tips!
We cover all the Tips that feature in Singletrack and more in depth on our course’s.