Mountain Biking 101 by HowExpert — Udemy Review & Syllabus

Mountain Biking 101 is your ultimate beginner’s guide to the world of off-road biking. In this course, you will be looking closely at everything you need to know to get started on your mountain biking journey. You will learn the very basics of training, riding techniques, and planning.

Here's what you will learn inside the course:

Basic bike handling, how to maneuver your bike over different surfaces, and the importance of shifting your weight. You will understand where and why you should shift your weight and the consequences by failing to do so.
The difference between the sub-disciplines, and you understand how to train for each one of them. You also understand the difference between the bike types and you know the different bike characteristics.
How to change brake pads, and how to change the inner tube. You are also aware of which tools to bring on your rides.
How to build a training program, and you know how to balance between hard efforts and recovery sessions.
How to use online tools, and how to plan your routes. You are also aware of how to combine several tools to build the best route as possible.
How to approach scary terrain, and you know how to break it down. You can spot the difference between the terrain of higher difficulty and terrain within your skillset.
How to achieve flow, and you understand the correlation between speed and flow. You are also capable of using techniques like pumping and bunny jumps to achieve or maintain flow.
You know what it takes to progress further, and you know the importance of listening to your body. You are capable of making wise choices about your health and training.
You are aware of racing categories, and you know about the different skill levels at each one of them. You also know how to approach a race and what to expect.
You understand how to balance your training, and how to structure a program avoiding you from burning out.

These are all elements of high importance in your pursuit of progression within the sport of mountain biking and are all subjects you are learning more about in the course.

About the Expert

Henrik Gulsrud is a Norwegian filmmaker and mountain biker with over 10 years of experience within the sport. Henrik was originally a road cyclist but turned towards the off-road scene about three years ago and never looked back. During his most active years, Henrik raced in the elite category nationally and abroad. Henrik started young, traveling the country with his father to participate in the national racing scene.

Henrik attended the University of Stavanger in 2017, majoring in media and television production. During these three years, Henrik worked exclusively on sports productions and shot a documentary about injuries in cycling, called Akilles.

Henrik is currently a freelancer, working with clients within the sports industry, also producing folders of stock footage based around action sports.

What's inside

Learning objective

Mountain biking

Syllabus

Mountain Biking 101

About the Expert

Part 1 - Your First Ride

Part 2 - A Closer Introduction To The Necessary Tools And Knowledge

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Breaks down various aspects of mountain biking, laying a solid foundation for beginners

Provides comprehensive information on bike handling, terrain navigation, training techniques, and more

Instructor Henrik Gulsrud, a seasoned mountain biker and filmmaker, brings valuable insights and expertise

Covers essential aspects of planning routes, using online tools, and approaching challenging terrain

Emphasizes the importance of training structure, recovery, and balancing personal limits

Requires students to have access to a mountain bike and basic riding skills for effective learning

Reviews summary

Foundational mountain biking guide

According to students, Mountain Biking 101 provides a solid foundation for absolute beginners looking to enter the sport. Learners frequently praise the clear explanations and the instructor's evident passion and experience. The course is particularly strong in covering basic bike handling techniques, essential maintenance like changing brake pads, and foundational knowledge for planning routes and training. Some students found certain topics could benefit from more extensive practical demonstrations, suggesting it's best for theoretical grounding before hands-on application. Overall, it's considered a highly accessible entry point for new riders.

Content is most valuable for absolute beginners, less for experienced riders.

"As someone with a little experience already, I found much of this course was a refresher for me."

"This course is definitely '101' – don't expect advanced downhill or technical trail riding techniques here."

"Good for total newbies, but if you've already ridden a bit, you might want something more advanced to push your skills."

Covers essential bike handling, maintenance, and route planning.

"Learning how to shift weight and handle my bike better was a game-changer for me on the trails."

"The sections on changing brake pads and tubes are incredibly useful for trailside repairs; I feel prepared now."

"I found the route planning tools and advice really helped me organize my rides and explore new areas safely."

Instructor's experience and clear communication are valued.

"Henrik's passion for the sport really comes through; his explanations are easy to follow and engaging."

"The instructor's real-world experience adds so much credibility to the lessons and tips."

"I appreciated how clearly he broke down complex concepts into understandable, bite-sized steps."

Offers a comprehensive and accessible introduction for new riders.

"This course was perfect for someone like me who knew absolutely nothing about mountain biking."

"I finally feel confident tackling basic trails after completing this program. It's truly '101'!"

"It provided all the fundamental knowledge I needed to start my mountain biking journey and feel safe."

Could benefit from more on-bike, real-world demonstrations.

"I wish there were more actual riding clips to illustrate the techniques discussed, especially for handling scary terrain."

"While the explanations are good, seeing some of the skills demonstrated more extensively on a trail would be amazing."

"Some of the complex riding techniques would be clearer with more hands-on video examples rather than just verbal instruction."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Mountain Biking 101 with these activities:

Build a small obstacle course

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Building a small obstacle course will help you practice your mountain biking skills in a safe and controlled environment.

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