Master the techniques of America's greatest rider.
* Glide over rocks, logs, and ledges
* Attack steep climbs and rapid descents
* Carve through curves and turns
* Train smart, then ride to win
Improve your performance with these tips, techniques, and off-road tales from mountain biking legend Ned Overend.
"At the 1990 world championships in Durango, Colorado, Thomas Frischknecht and I were locked in a dogfight.... At the start of the fourth and final lap was a pitch of rocky, loose trail that went straight up the face of a ski run.... My Swiss rival had been dismounting and running this climb while I stayed on my bike. On previous laps, I'd opened a little gap, so I knew this would be my chance. I attacked when Thomas got off again. He never caught me.... To ride that steep trail, I had to use five climbing techniques. There's no reason why you can't make them part of your arsenal, too."
Still Relevant after all these years 5 out of 5
It is amazing how relevant this book still is. Ned gives riding tips and racing strategies that can be used by bikers of all skill levels. The only changes since the book was written have been in the technology used by 21st century athletes. I have a friend who has been riding mountain bikes for many years and he says he is still learning from this same book. It is only a shame that in all this time no one else has stepped up to publish a more recent version.
Tidbits of useful information 3 out of 5
I bought this book as kind of a manual of how to handle a mountain bike. As such it is not a good book. What you do get is a number of short chapters convering everything from beginners to to racing professional races. Read a chapter and you will pick up some ideas of how to handle your bike. I wish the book was more structured. I've given it three stars because I have not found anything better, but this is really a two star book if that better book is published.
I also bought Mountain Bike Magazine's Complete Guide To Mountain Biking Skills: Expert Tips On Conquering Curves, Corners, Dips, Descents, Hills, Water Hazards, And Other All-Terrain Challenges and I'm giving that book exactly the same review. The coverage is the same.
If you know a better book PLEASE leave a comment.
Must read for new mountain bikers! 5 out of 5
This book is great, I have only had it for a week, but it is an easy read, and not boring. New Overend covers many different aspects of mountain bike technique, and keeps it interesting. This book has helped me with my confidence already. I would suggest this book to anyone who likes mountain biking and would like to learn how to ride better.
Biking skills improved immediately. 5 out of 5
I read the chapters on basic biking skills and immediately I was riding better. I go to Palo Duro Canyon, near Amarillo, Texas, and ride the trails. After reading parts of his book, I was able to get over some of the rough spots that I previously had been walking. It is also much easier to ride the trails because I had been doing many things the hardest way. It is an excellent book!
2 minutes off my daily commute on the first day 5 out of 5
I ride my mountain bike to work through a wildlife management area daily, 8.7 miles. I applied four of his basic lessons with immediate results: pedal in circles, anticipate and single-shift, look farther ahead of you, and lay off the brakes. On my first day after reading Ned's book I cut two minutes off my time.
Mr. Overend's real-race examples of how his technique improved his performance move the rational explanations on in an entertaining way.
