Private Lessons on Black Diamond Rated Trails at Kanuga

Top Rated Coach Josh Whitmore demonstrates a technique on trail during aMountain biking class on black rated trails
A dirt trail in a forest with tree roots and brown soil, surrounded by tall trees with dark trunks and a blue sky visible through the branches.
Logo with white pine trees, a yellow sun, and the text 'KANUGA RIDE REVEL' in yellow and white.

Mountain Bike Private Lesson for Advanced Level Trail Riding at Kanuga

Choose this lesson if you want to work on trail riding skills on Black and Double-Black (advanced) rated “tech” trails that don’t involve jumping at Ride Kanuga Bike Park. The focus of these lessons is helping you progress your ability by intentional skill application. Tackle bigger terrain with more confidence!

Example Lessons:

  • Strategies for tackling advanced obstacles including rocks, roots, berms, rollers, steps, drops, slow tight turns, on black and double-black rated trails.

  • Refinement of body position to stay centered and have better range of motion and traction

  • Being more aggressive and pro-active in difficult terrain

  • Carrying or generating speed for faster segment times

  • Weighting and unweighting the bike for features

  • Better braking for increased control, stability, and traction

  • Better cornering through body position, braking, line choice, rotation, etc.

  • Coaching and feedback for individual obstacles and features

  • Gravity racing strategy and techniques to go faster and conserve energy

  • This lesson is for more advanced riders who are already comfortable or want to become comfortable on Black (advanced) rated trails that don’t involve jumping. Riders should already have a functional understanding of fundamentals and want to work higher level technique with an experienced coach.

    • This lesson requires the instructor to be a certified “Level 2 Instructor” (or above) through the GSMBC or PMBIA. This means they have gone through specific training and evaluation on teaching advanced level riders in advanced level terrain.

    • Certifications ensure instructors follow proven teaching techniques, excellent risk management, and ability to offer accurate feedback to help you progress in a safe, intentional, and controlled way.

    • You can choose between our Head Coach - Josh Whitmore or other certified instructors in the availability calendars below.

    • We’ll start by listening to your specific goals, do a skills assessment to understand your current ability, then design a custom lesson that will help you reach your goals.

    • Depending on your starting ability, we may spend some time in the grass field working on basics, but aim to get practicing on trails quickly.

    • We also spend a lot of time practicing on the blue trails at Ride Kanuga like Rhodo Rukus and GNCC. We can also use any of the black rated trails like Hemplock Epoch, Paint it Black, or Natural Selection.

    • Expect LOTS of practice time, drills, and plenty of feedback/video analysis to help you progress.

  • In additional to the cost of instruction, you'll need to purchase a day pass or membership to Ride Kanuga separately at their website www.ridekanuga.com or in person when you arrive at our Adventure Center.

  • Required equipment for this lesson:

    • Day-pass or membership to Ride Kanuga. If you don't already have one, purchase separately at www.ridekanuga.com or in person at the Adventure Shop when you arrive.

    • A bicycle in good working order. You can bring your own bike (regular mountain bike or eBike) or rent an eBike separately from the shop at Ride Kanuga.

    • Helmets are required

    • Water and food to last the duration of your lesson

    • Closed toe shoes (no sandals, flip-flops, or crocs)

    Optional (but highly recommended) equipment:

    • Knee Pads

    • Gloves

Lesson Duration: 2hr, 3hr, or 4hr, you choose!

Head Coach / Owner - Josh Whitmore
GSMBC Certified Level 4 “Expert Coach” (one of only 4 to achieve this certification in the USA)

Coach - Emily Cox
GSMBC Certified Level 2 “Air Instructor”

Coach - Tiffany Litsey
GSMBC Certified Level 2 “Air Instructor”

Coach - Whitney Houck
GSMBC Certified Level 2 “Air Instructor”

Meeting Location:

Ride Kanuga Bike Park
1249 Kanuga Lake Road
Hendersonville, NC 28739

 

Questions? email info@mtbskillsfactory.com or call/text 828.222.0890

Cancellation Policy: You can cancel at any time for any reason for a full refund (minus our credit card and processing fees - 5%) up until the day before your lesson. If you cancel ON the day of your lesson, we keep the deposit. You can also reschedule your lesson for no additional cost up until the day before your lesson.

A large, hollowed-out dirt berm in a wooded area, with trees and fallen leaves around it.