Mountain Biking - looking to improve technical

I just got back from a ride, and I am very frustrated. I really want to improve my technical skills, but I am not sure if what I am doing is the best for them. Basically I keep going out a lunch and riding trails with technical terrain that I cannot always handle (I work in the foothills of Colorado). On weekends I try to get up in the mountains as well. Are there any tips that you all have for getting better at this? I'm not bad at it, but I'm definately not as good as I'd like to be.

thanks in advance

David (hosehead)

David, there are a couple different things you can do to improve your skills, but the best is just to ride more. I'm envious you can ride on your lunch break!

Some things you can do include: Learing to hop in place maintaining your balance and eventually learning to turn around in a tight confined area. Learn to track stand. That's where you balance in one spot (like a stoplight). Set up an obstacle and try to turn around it coming as close as you can as slow as you can. Set up two cones and practice figure eights. Ride curbs!

These things will improve your balance and your bike handling skills.

For bunny hopping and jumping, take a 2x4 and lay it flat. Approach it at speed and pull up on the bars and push them forward. At the same time pull your feet back and up to get the rear tire airborne. Once you can miss the 2x4 turn it on it's side and continue, then move up to bigger and bigger obstacles.

For jumping, it's almost the same motion, just off of a lip. Find a BMX track and go practice jump skills and learning how to lean hard into a turn.

L8R

I can bunny hop, trackstand, etc. I can tear up the technical stuff when it's flat. I run into problems when I am on a steep ascent. I should have mentioned that earlier. Doing a bunny hop in my backyard is so different from doing one when I am pointed uphill on a trail

I think I may just start doing harder rides that involve fewer obstacles more often and see how that helps me.

There is no substitute for practice, and, luck for you, practice requires more riding. My suggestions . . .

Ride with a better rider and watch him/her ascend the tough stuff. If you have a chance to attend a NORBA Nationals or World Cup race, go to the hardest part of the course and watch. Prepare to be schooled and amazed. I did this last year at Mt. Snow. On the hardest, gnarliest climb - maybe only 50 meters long - Roland Green gently picked his bike up on to his shoulder and ran up the hill. The day before I rode the same climb in a preride, but he showed me it was more efficient and much faster to hike the bike in that section.

Challenge yourself. Don't avoid the tough stuff, but take it head on and work at it. Eventually you'll figure it out.

When ascending hard uphill grunts - short and steep - moving up in the saddle and pulling hard on the bars with each pedal stroke will transfer your power to the ground with less chance of your tire busting loose.

How's your upper body? The more technical the terrain the more upper body strength is required. Riding will strengthen your upper body, but some push ups or gym work will speed it along.

I have to strongly agree with the upper body strength making a huge difference. I've only been back riding about a month now after not riding for about 3 years. All along I have been weight lifting though. Even on my first couple times on the trails I found myself staying with and even doing better in many technical sections than friends who have continued riding. I'd say I feel better riding now than I did when I used to, and I attribute it to the weight training.

Momentum is your best friend. If you know there are places on the trail that have big nasty rocks or obstacles, save your energy for those. Just before you get to the rock or root or log shift up a couple of gears and git'it. We have some very brutal singletrack climbs out here in CA and that works best for me. Oh and don't always worry so much about the line. You'd be amazed at what you can ride straight up and over !

Wow, great advice. I would agree that it is all about being strong. Once you aren't huffing and/or flailing (big destractions) moving up and over stuff is easy. I still have problems spinning out on roots once in a while, but if you have the juice you can motor on through.

Thanks for the tips everyone!

I was talking to another friend of mine about improving technical and he said the biggest thing for him is confidence. If you're going over a gnarly section and you don't think you'll make it, you probably won't.

These are all great suggestions...

David (aka hosehead)
~go Avs!

I must say hose that, in my experience, tackling intimidating portions of a trail help one gain confidence.

In reading all the advice here, I have a similar question, and forgive me for stealing your thread Hosehead.
but how does one become a beter climber?, on road, things are not so bad, but here in the east there are mountains far and few between.
Any suggestions?