Private Lessons at Old Fort Gateway Trail System
Choose this lesson if you want to work on trail riding skills on beginner to intermediate rated trails or any specific trails or features in Old Fort Area. The focus of these lessons is helping you progress your ability by intentional skill application. Move from being a passive and defensive rider to being a proactive and intentional rider!
Example Lessons:
Strategies for tackling obstacles including rocks, roots, berms, rollers, steps, roll-down drops, slow tight turns.
Body position techniques for downhill and climbing
Better braking including ratio of front vs rear, when, and how much
Maintaining an efficient cadence
Have better terrain awareness through strategic data collection and decision making
Better cornering through body position, braking, line choice, rotation, etc.
How to tackle slow roll-down drops
Wheel lift techniques for front and rear wheel
Coaching and feedback for individual obstacles and features
Familiarization and coaching for trails that appear in popular race events like ORAMM, Jerdon Mtn Challenge, Old Fort 50, etc.
Mountain Bike Private Lessons for Beginner to Intermediate Level Trail Riding at the Old Fort Gateway Trail System and surrounding trails including Kitsuma, Heartbreak Ridge, and Star Gap.
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All level riders can take this lesson.
Someone who has never ridden a mountain bike before will benefit greatly from getting started the right way.
People who have already been riding a while but feel like they have hit a plateau in their ability will enjoy having intentional skills to apply at specific places.
Even advanced riders will benefit from a makeover of their fundamentals on intermediate level terrain.
Riders wanting to get familiar with trails used in popular events such as ORAMM, Jerdon Mtn Challenge, Old Fort 50, etc.
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This lesson requires the instructor to be at least a certified “Level 1 Instructor” through the GSMBC or PMBIA. This means they have gone through specific training and evaluation on teaching beginner to intermediate level riders on green to blue rated trails.
Level 2-4 instructors can also teach this lesson.
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.
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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 an open area to work on basics, but aim to get practicing on trails quickly!
Expect LOTS of practice time, drills, and plenty of feedback/video analysis to help you progress.
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Required equipment for this lesson:
A bicycle in good working order. E-Bikes are not permitted in the National Forest around Old Fort.
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: You can choose 2hr, 3hr or 4hr duration for this lesson.
Head Coach / Owner - Josh Whitmore
GSMBC Certified Level 4 “Expert Coach” (one of only 4 to achieve this certification in the USA)
Coach - Whitney Houck
GSMBC Certified Level 2 “Air Instructor”
Meeting Location:
Old Fort Gateway Trailhead (unless otherwise communicated by your instructor)
1501 State Rd 1227, Old Fort, NC 28762
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.
