Learning how to bunny hop and quickly create lift will allow you to smooth out trails by using obstacles to your advantage, as well as impressing mates.
Andy Barlow
Follow Andy Barlow
How to choose the best line
How to plan ahead on the trails and pick the savviest lines. Ride smarter.
Mountain bikes have changed but outdated advice lives on
We reassess yesterday’s received wisdom to make sure it works for you on the trails today.
The five most frequently asked questions to a MTB skills coach
What are the most frequently asked questions on a skills day? We asked Dirt School’s Andy Barlow.
MTB history lesson: how DH racing technique has changed since the 90s
Taking a look at how mountain bike technique has evolved over decades, from the sat-down pedalling style of the 90s to the stable upper body of today.
How to get down steep stuff
Don’t be intimidated by steep trails; learn the skills to handle even the gnarliest of tracks with control and confidence.
12 ways to get faster on your mountain bike
Keeping it low-key by selecting the right line and timing your attack will boost your control and leave the showboaters for dead.
More bike skills you can practice in your garden
Spending time learning how to play on your bike will mean that, once you're out on the trails, you have better familiarity and more control.
Why track stands are useful and how to do them
It takes time, humility and lot of determination to really get your head around track stands, but the satisfaction of finally getting them is addictive.
Do you need to re-learn how to ride on a modern mountain bike?
To exploit today’s amazing mountain bikes, and adapt to seemingly ever more challenging terrain, new skills and techniques have to be developed.
Wheelies, back hops and cutties are fun but also improve your trailcraft
Wheelies, back hops and cutties are fun but will also improve your trailcraft, so stop being self-conscious and upgrade your skills by relearning how to play.
MTBing saves lives: how more and more of us are finding solace in the singletrack
Andy Barlow from Dirt School breaks down a few different clients that he’s worked with over the years and how mountain biking ties them all together.
Why do so many of us struggle when it gets steep and rough?
Time invested in perfecting your position and braking at the right time reaps dividends when the terrain gets rowdy.
You’ve been braking incorrectly all this time and now it’s time to sort it out
Braking is about so much more than just stopiing, or taking the fear out of speed. Use your brakes with skill and style and you'll be faster and safer.
How to corner on a mountain bike
Cornering can be one of the most satisfying experiences you can have. How can you improve your game plan so that you can ensure you always get it right?
What most mountain bikers are really scared of: gap jumps and doubles
From rooty sections to fallen trees, depressions to drainage ditches - here's how to jump gaps with confidence.
How to jump on a mountain bike
With the correct knowledge and the right approach anyone can get air. There’s no trick to jumping, anyone can go big with the proper technique.
Liven up your riding and expand your skills by trying out another bike discipline
Perhaps a bit of time spent in a different direction is what you need to keep things fresh. Here are five different types of bike you should think about.
How to get your mojo back when returning to riding after a crash
How to get your mojo and your moves back when you return to riding. Set yourself up to feel positive, confident and make the best use of your time.
How to manual a mountain bike
What looks at first like the wheelie's cooler cousin is in fact one of mtb's foundational skills - read this guide to learn how to manual a mountain bike.