General Cycling Discussion - How to be a better cyclist?

This is a stupid question probably but I'm pushing 30 and have just got back into cycling. I want to be able to do bike tricks. I just learned to bunny hop, and pretty soon I'm gonna try to hold a wheelie. All this on my MTB. I found the trick to bunny hopping was to put fat tires on and keep the pressure down, and also to kick with my feet correctly. I can get about a foot in the air. I'm not comfortable with it yet but I will be, so that I can hop curbs that I'm riding parallel to and stuff like that. I don't want to be hindered by anything.

What is the best way to develop these skills, other than just doing it over adn over again? There's a skate/bike park a block from my house, but I think I'd look pretty silly, a 300lb 27yol on a MTB out there with all the teenagers on their bmx bikes.

I'm doing some MTB'ing to help build my skills, hopefully that'll help.

Thanks for any suggestions.

EDIT: The reason this came to mind was this thread here:
http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=55671
That dudes wicked bike kung fu saved his life.

Mostly just practicing. There are some links to some trials skills, but I can't remember the link. If you do a search for "Bunny Hopping" you should turn up the link.

It's really just a matter of spending time on your bike. I've been practicing riding "skinnies" for about 6 months by riding curbs w/o sidewalks around my neighborhood. In the beginning, I was happy to ride 10'. Now, I can ride as far as I want and was actually riding some wheelies on the curb.

L8R

http://www.trials-online.com/trials-techniques.php

now that your older you will never get great at it. the fear factor adults have limits the stupid risks kids are willing to do (G) but you can do the simple things. but to do crazy things requires no fear.

Ride Ride Ride


The way I improved the most was two fold. I started riding a fully rigid singlespeed... and prior to that I was riding with guys above my skill level so it really pushed my limits and showed me how to ride.

Thanks guys! Will going to SS make me a better rider? I am seriously considering it for the fact that is so simple. Shifting is getting old.

ride a lot, at least thats what i'm doing, and i'm pushing 50 (better than pushing up daisies, i guess :) )