He dropped down the hills on his bicycle. The roads were greasy, so he had to let it go. He felt a pleasure as the machine plunged over the second, steeper drop in the hill… His bicycle seemed to drop beneath him and he loved it.

- D.H. Lawrence, Sons and Lovers

Improve your skills.

It’s not just how strong you are, it’s how you use that strength wisely.

“Free speed” – Want to know how you can get some?

Like all serious sportsmen and women, cyclists happily invest money and time in equipment and supplementary fitness training to improve their on-bike performance or increase their cycling speed. Unfortunately, sportspeople, including cyclists, often fail to invest the same effort and thought into the one free commodity that can drastically enhance both performance and speed: skill and technique. The bottom line is that without a proper understanding and knowledge of the particualr skills and techniques needed to enhance your performance, whether it’s on a judo mat, a swimming pool, or a bike, all the conditioning work you’ve invested in will not be enough.

The effective coaching and learning of riding skills and techniques, such as group-ridig, descending and cornering, will allow all cyclists to perform in a more confident way, leading to a faster, more efficent and ultimately safer, riding style.

Cycling is great fun. No doubt about it, but often riders coming into the sport for the first time can feel over-awed by the well meaning advice and guidance of others. This is why we are running the Skinny Tyres “Improve your Skills Sessions”. They are designed to give you a weekend of riding, brushing up on old skills and learning new skills in a friendly environment. The weekends will be led by British Cycling coaches who will break down the techniques, such as cornering, giving you key coaching points, in a way that increases your confidence. Each weekend will focus on a different area of cycling allowing you to build your skill base.

I can ride fast. Why would I want to learn about techniques?

Quite simply, good technique will allow you to ride faster and more efficently. It will also make riding safer for you and those you are riding with. It’s also just plain old good fun to be able to ride in a group confidently, or descend quickly.

For 2011 we have two weekend sessions that are suitable for all ability of cyclists. If you are new to sportives and are nervous of riding your first event, or you are a seasoned rider and just want to hone your skills, these sessions are for you.

Riding in a group – 6th & 7th August 2011.

Riding in a group is great fun and with some simple coaching it will also increase you overall average speed. More details…

Cornering and descending – 10th & 11th September 2011.

Whatever speed you want to descend at, these sessions will help build your confidence to make it an enjoyable and safe experience. More details…

The price includes:

Group coaching sessions with British Cycling coaches
Advice and guidance about riding position from our SICI qualified bike fitter
All meals and hotel accommodation including use of the hotel leisure facilities
Guided rides in Highland Perthshire to let you put your newly learnt skills into action.