In fact, since I started to train world cup racers and writing for magazines and websites, I’ve had riders everywhere I go tell me that they have heard about me and my program.

I guess the only thing that really separates me from every other regular mountain biker out there is that I have a passion for strength and conditioning and just happen to have a talent for writing about how to apply it to our unique sport. I know from experience how strength and conditioning can help you climb faster, descend with more confidence and basically rip the trail up as hard and as fast as you dare. Plus, it keeps you from being too sore to ride again the next day!

Ever since I bought my first mountain bike in 2000 (a Marin Nail Trail) when I was living in Santa Barbara, CA I have been hooked on mountain biking. Even though I bought my first bike to commute to work (I thought road bikes looked too weenie for me) I quickly found out that pedaling up and ripping back down fire roads and trails was more fun than I ever imagined.

A few months after starting to ride I realized I wanted to be the best rider I could; not to race but simply to have as much fun as possible. I ended up getting hit by a car on that first bike (I was on my way to the gym, actually) and I took all the money I got in the settlement and blew it on a new Marin Mount Vision full suspension bike. It was “found money” anyways and I figured the mountain biking gods had sent it my way to help me get that new bike I was lusting after!

I also started to experiment with different strength training strategies to help me on the trail. Since I had a track background I was well aware that strength training was the key to maximizing your potential in any sport and I knew that my new sport was no different. However, when I looked for programs I quickly realized that no one had really developed a true strength training system for mountain bikers.

Sure, there were some programs and books out there but they were all heavily based on road cycling type cardio training with some token leg presses thrown in for “strength training”. I knew that this was not the best way to train for the unique physical demands of my new sport and so I started to come up with my own programs.

As my strength and conditioning program got more refined I realized that I had gone from an average rider to a pretty good rider. I could climb things that other people who had been better than me still couldn’t, I could clear technical downhill sections that used to toss me every time and I was no longer the last guy in the group.

I was also not nearly as sore the day after a long ride, something that had plagued me when I first started. Is there anything worse than not being able to get out and ride on a beautiful day because your back or knees hurt too much from the previous day’s ride?

Since then I have helped hundreds of riders around the world get faster, ride longer and enjoy the trail more. From World Cup racers and National Champions to weekend warriors, from Downhillers to Marathon racers, I am proud to say that everyone who has tried my programs has seen noticeable improvements in their riding.

Now, this is the point where I also need to explain something that may sound a bit funny coming from a strength training professional – I do not like to spend hours in the gym. In fact, if I could take a pill and get the same benefits I would – I would much rather be out on the trail with my mutt Aka or hanging out with my wife and our kids Shilo and Z (yeah, that’s his full first name)

I want to Help you be a Better Rider – Period

I know that if you use the information you’ll find on this blog you will do just that. I also know that once you see what this free info will do for you then you will be more likely to check out one of my more in depth programs; but even if you don’t that’s alright. Just knowing that I am helping advance our sport into the 21st Century in enough.

So check back often since the revolution never stops! I’ll be posting new articles, videos and podcasts every week, making this THE mountain bike training website. And let me know if you don’t see something addressed on here that you want to know more about – I rely on you guys to let me know what is on your mind and what you want to improve with your riding.