Get Ready for Mountain Biking Season with These Backyard Skills & Drills

Practice these mountain bike skills and drills to prepare for the riding season.

Mountain bike season is just around the corner, and while the trails are still drying out, now is the perfect time to sharpen your mountain biking skills right in your backyard, driveway, the local park or a quiet parking lot. These simple drills will help you get reacquainted with your bike and refresh your skills in addition to working on some new skills.

All you need is a helmet, bike shoes, your mountain bike and a couple of cones or something of the like. Plan for 2-3 sessions a week and aim for 15-30 minutes.

Braking Control

💡 Why? Braking efficiently helps maintain control, ride descents more confidently, and prevent skidding.

• Set up a stoplight drill using 3 cones:

  1. Get ready (first cone)

  2. Slow down (second cone)

  3. Stop (third cone)

• Challenge yourself to stop at the final cone without skidding.

• Make it more challenging by moving the second and third cones closer together, forcing you to use more front brake and better bracing.

Wheel Lifts

💡 Why? Essential for clearing obstacles on the trail and smoothening out your ride.

• Drop a stick and practice lifting your wheels over it:

  • Front wheel lift

  • Rear wheel lift

  • Both wheels together (level lift or bunny hop)

• Scatter some cones and try smashing them with either your front or rear wheel to build precision control and timing.

Trackstands

💡 Why? Improves balance for technical terrain.

• Drop a cone in front of you and use it as a focal point to improve stability while trackstanding.

• Try holding it for longer periods, changing the terrain (i.e. pointing downhill), or sitting versus standing.  

Figure 8’s

💡 Why? Helps with tight cornering and bike handling.

• Start with wide, open figure eights.

• Challenge yourself by creating a perimeter and staying within the boundaries, mimicking a narrow switchback on the trail.

Wheel Weaving

💡 Why? Develops precision and control when maneuvering through tight spaces.

• Set up a zig-zag pattern with cones.

• Guide your front wheel outside each cone while keeping your rear wheel inside.

Rock Dodging

💡 Why? Prepares you for quick line choices on rough trails and avoids hitting obstacles.

• Line up cones in a straight line and weave your wheels around them, dodging imaginary rocks.

• Make sure to practice turning the front wheel in both directions.

Skinnies

💡 Why? Improves balance and bike handling for narrow trail features.

• Ride along a rope, a painted parking lot line or a curb to simulate a skinny feature.

• Keep your vision ahead and your body relaxed.

Dismounts

💡 Why? Helps with controlled stops and safely getting off your bike in tricky terrain.

• Find a hill and practice dismounting both uphill and downhill.

• Remember you're always stepping "uphill" when dismounting.

Obstacle Courses

💡 Why? A fun way to combine all the skills into one challenge.

• Set up a course incorporating all these drills.

• Try completing it as slowly as possible for control or as fast as possible for agility.

Bonus Fun Drills

Want to push yourself even further? Spend a few minutes practicing the following: All you need is a fairly flat and open area:

Wheelies – Great for getting over uphill obstacles.

Manuals – Improve your flow in trail rollers and tight pumps.

Nose pivots – Learn to turn in tight spots.

Bunnyhops – Essential for clearing obstacles.

These simple yet effective drills will make you feel comfortable and confident on your bike before the season even begins. The more you practice now, the smoother your transition to the trails will be. Grab your bike, set up a few cones, and get rolling!

Ready to level up? Be sure to book into one of our upcoming Skills Clinics to further solidify your skills progression.

#ItsAGoodDayToRide