Basics With Blake | Core Mountain Bike Skills

[@gmbn]

Where do you practice these skills?

[@adithyasrikar6855]

In my apartment..

[@prodhrd]

My aparmet complex's parking area

[@tomwallhead6950]

In my head on my imaginary bike

[@cheesypooo6838]

On the streets on my way to and from work!

[@josh_0263]

Surrey Hills

[@leofinalizacao]

Met Blake in Peaslake , Surrey Hills, UK whilst shooting this video for GMBN. He’s one of the nicest guys in the MTB scene, exactly the same dude off camera. Legend.

[@markwilson7013]

@@paddor Yeah, he was in the woods when a stick hit him on the head 😂

[@juluisreyes9094]

When he's glad he speaks in falsetto voice

[@bobbyhempel1513]

He really seems like he could be that kind of guy too I would love to meet him one day it would be awesome to ride with him though he would leave me in his dust every time I'm sure.

[@RalphBrooker-gn9iv]

Peaslake ❤️. Used to drive up from South coast every weekend our day off. Golden Birdie, Yoghurt pots. Something to eat the Peaslakz store. Miss that

[@mreggbird]

0:00 he called me beautiful. I needed that today. thanks

[@drive7]

Blake's a great communicator. His tone and attitude are relatable and fun, and that makes his videos really engaging. Absolutely killing it.

[@GDoggProductions]

i tottally agreee with this

[@bikemob4616]

51 years old and I still do the no handed flying at least once a week. Always brings a smile to my face 😀

[@tyrellchibvongodze3566]

just got back onto biking at 48 since high school and that is one thing I was looking forward to and enjoying

[@Xeniumnebula]

That's impressive I can't even do that

[@dropclutch1]

Brings me back to the days when I was a complete newbie. I remember how impossible some of these basic skills seemed. Keep at it newbies, you will get it!

[@ritwikreddy5670]

The only hard thing for me was wheelie. But that was because my bike wasn't mtb and there were no shocks. Wheelie becomes a lot easier if you have loose shocks.

[@nickfreeman7285]

The one thing I could never do, was get the rear wheel off the ground, I couldn't ever do it, front wheel was easy, leaning the bike was easy etc but I could never get the rear wheel to move at all

[@dropclutch1]

@@nickfreeman7285 It's all about the weight shift. If you throw your weight over the bars and push on them while unweighting your feet the back has to come up.

[@sherules5005]

Thanks 👍🏾😸🙏🏾. I know how to ride but I have little confidence in areas with human/ vehicle traffic

[@ronaldhuckall752]

U r my absolute fav mtn rider ever👌👌👌 keep up the amazing work

[@michaelmcgill2581]

27/ 29 yess mate. Blake when u doin a meet n greet. Do one in Scotland

[@rbid]

Fantastic video, will help all beginners and old dogs that did not learn to ride and ride with bad habits. In the group I ride I try to change the bad habits of the older riders with no success. This video will help a lot. Greetings from the galilee

[@blas8106]

Tremenda data que has tirado crack

[@tobiasmller5995]

Warning ⚠️: before attempting these tricks remember to learn to ride a your bike first

[@londonspade5896]

ahhh thanks, I knew I was doing something wrong

[@jaydnh.9530]

I didn’t know you needed a bike for these?

[@amusingkiwi9586]

Ohhhh see... i thought a loaf of bread would give me the same results, thanks man

[@danmac6185]

Now if only I knew what a your bike was 🤔

[@user-mm5vv6zg4u]

Didn't know that i need bike for these,. Thanks, been riding my gf learning these tricks.

[@neemmol7734]

Blake and Ashton Martyn is my favorite of the GMBN crew. Lot's of love for you guys.

[@PersistentMeow]

Trying to get my friend who is my age into mountain biking. He does skiing but doesn’t do mountain biking. I think he’ll have a ton of fun, and I sent him this in the hope he can get some important abilities. Thank you so much!

[@sherifrosco2221]

Im 40 years old and love going out on my KTM MTB up the woods or on the trail's, these clips n video's really help me out, keep up the good work!

[@Bergconnaisseur]

Currently getting my Dad and Mom into MTB, this video will definetly help them! Thanks Blake!

[@brennanlandaker2981]

Anyone else mesmerized by the suspension on his bike

[@davidthomson1978]

Love these videos. Spent most of my teens attached to my MTB but just getting back into it at 43 after years of only running and Road biking it didn't take long in the woods to realise I'd lost all that confidence and fearlessness over the years. These basic skills are a fantastic springboard into getting the best out of your bike

[@YourNickIsTaken]

Love the fact that GMBN carres about newbies too.

[@woof_snoof2505]

As a beginner, this is fantastic stuff, thanks Blake.

[@magicalframe9441]

I remember I saw a bike messenger in my town zipping along and eating a sandwich with both hands. An absolute legend.

[@travelinganvil5711]

Thanks Blake. I rode my first trail 3 days ago. This channel has been super helpful. I may be obsessed. So much fun.

[@gmbn]

🤟

[@notoriusben85]

I really appreciate this video. Exactly what I was looking for as a new rider - no assumptions of ability, or technical knowledge, just basically how to actually ride a mountain bike beyond just getting on it and pedalling and hoping for the best. Will look to put these skills into practice until I feel confident enough to visit a trail centre.

[@seanporter113]

Blake, I like how you present. Your humor is appreciated, but your knowledge and the methods that you use to impart it is fantastic. I learned very little from this video. But, that’s not a slam. I have watched a lot of your ( and GMBN’s) videos and have been biking for 36 years. What I find super interesting is that the skills you mention, I have been doing since I was 15 and never understood how important they are to my mountain biking. The balancing and wheelies (we call them in America) are just fun. Yet I use it every time theres a higher obstacle in the trail. Some of I do and never really realized that I could be using it to better skills that I lack or want to improve. Thanks man. I appreciate you.

[@dominicketienne7251]

Idk why I love Blake's accent so much lol

[@haza6758]

Me too

[@hypnosis1220]

Harry Pottah'

[@matthewherron9472]

'Hhyyeeeaaaaaaaaaa' Here

[@Cole_King]

What accent is it ?

[@beersquatch2545]

Cole King I hear a little South African in there but I could be wrong! He’s a legend!

[@aldenrice9123]

This is really helpful for me as a beginner mountain biker, it's really cool how he is so skilled he can show what a beginner might do, and feel

[@brandonspencer309]

5:45 wow I thought for a split second that both you're wheels were going to lift off the ground!!! 🚵🏻‍♂️💸 😂 💪🏼❤️🙏👍🏼

[@gmbn]

🤣🤘

[@minners71]

What's with all the emojis are you a 13yr old girl?

[@Incubed]

minners71 right

[@lbpinnwa]

Thank you! This is the basic of basic skills that I have been looking for. As a roadie moving into MTB, there is a large learning curve to utilize your body balance to counter the bike balance. Thank you. I'll be practicing these for a while.

[@martinolivares1567]

I learned how to ride with no hands on my bike in about a month. To actually be able to pedal fast and turn while I change my songs on my or drink water while Im tired felt like an accomplishment. The next thing I want to learn is to bunny hop real high to clear the curves and not eat shit lol

[@ravenfire77]

I just purchased my first mountain bike a few weeks ago and this video is perfect for me. Thanks!

[@pretzelogic2689]

Me too. My first ride on my new bike is tomorrow. The trails are all flooded and you've given me a lot of things to work on that I can do on pavement. Great video.

[@bikeonblue]

I've watched many basic skill video an like to think I'm beyond these maneuvers but saw Blake was demonstrating them and had to watch!

[@failedtsunami2272]

Great video. SUBSCRIBED! Exactly the info that we needed. I’m a skater by birth but with my 7 yr old into mountain bikes, I’m trying to learn and teach him at the same time. Thanks for the help brother!

[@gmbn]

Nice one! Thanks for the sub 🤘

[@steveskratcher8121]

Always great tip from Blake!!! I’ll try again with front wheel lift... I hope I'll remember the rear brake!!!

[@SuperFcott]

Blake is my all time FAVORITE mountain biker.

[@LiftedAdventures]

Great stuff for even season riders should practice to sharpen up our skills and riding. Thank you for this.

[@David-vr4pm]

The first year that I rode a mountain bike, I rode a rigid bike, and it really helped me learn how to use my body and controls to help with bumps and stuff on the trail.

[@adithyasrikar6855]

Yay.. blake is going to teach me how to ride my bike..love you gmbn..❤

[@josecastanedamusic]

I love your way to teach and have fun at the same time cheers from Mexico 🇲🇽

[@RealCadde]

One thing a lot of new riders forget is to perfect their skills. That is, find something you CAN ride and do that over and over again until you've mastered it. Some riders can only really ride on asphalt in the beginning. So do that, find something that has obstacles suitable for you and become better at it, preferably over a few days to let your body accept this newfound knowledge. Then you take that same path you've mastered but switch it up a bit. Add new challenges like going over that curb or doing it without holding the handlebars for some bits. You know what they say, practice makes perfect. And the mistake a lot of beginners make is they go for the too difficult bits early on and they get scared of doing it, which just reinforces bad habits. So get good at what you can do and then add to your skillset. Of course, all these exercises are pretty harmless so do them as well. But it won't help you out on the trails unless you master the things you can actually do right now. Even if you've spent a full year practicing these things on a parking lot, it's a whole different story when you go out and do it on a real trail.

[@grover9187]

I agree. I'm new and I ride the same circle over and over to work on my balance. When I try something new, like standing, I always try it out on my well worn circle.

[@muzomamma]

Your comment is so encouraging! Thank you! I'm a beginner who is mostly only comfortable on asphalt or flat terrain. I get so frustrated with myself that I *can't* do scarier things, but I'm just not there yet. I will be one day though!

[@londonspade5896]

I used to ride my bike to school and back every day, eventually I was just riding the whole journey with no hands. About a decade later and I can still manage it but definitely not as effortlessly as before! But time on the bike will bring that back

[@skyla-idiot]

Who else loves GMBN?🤘

[@reubencooper8215]

me

[@deadonabed2875]

89% of the people looking at this video

[@matty_o]

👌🏾

[@juanitojuanito9719]

Except for road biker viewers

[@KevinBeatson]

@@juanitojuanito9719 no, we love it as well x

[@AusMLE888]

Will certainly give these a try sometime. Been riding since 2020 I am 32 years old. I used to ride when I was a kid but stopped riding back in 2007.

[@johannvonderbecke3873]

Your bike is sick Blake :0

[@mtbshredder7794]

Johann von der Becke Blake’s Nukeproof Mega 275C is awesome

[@johannvonderbecke3873]

@@mtbshredder7794 gotta love that olive green

[@th_js]

Yeah, I usually hate green bikes, but I really like this mega.

[@wii_music_intensifies9023]

Not a big fan, but it's still pretty lit

[@mostlikelywedoitservices6926]

Well, today I tried something to help me do the track stand. Get alongside a wall that when standing on the pedals you can hold on top of the wall or fence at a very comfortable level. Make sure your upper body is close to level. Now play. What makes the bike get balanced to the center and stay there. Mirco weight shift to the outside edge of feet makes the bike move like crazy. Then when you think you're ready, move your hand off the top and put your fingers or knuckle to the wall and balance again. Also a great leg workout. I did it for a half-hour and feel like I actually learned something that will get me to do track standing without moving forward.

[@jean-philipper-m5886]

Super video, really well explained!! Nice job Blake. And thanks to help us newby to gain some skill on a bike!!

[@aopoczko]

I'm watching Blake's vids daily to get called beautiful on demand. Can highly recommend. And MTB content is a free bonus!

[@vinayakj6822]

Exactly what I wanted to know. Thanks guys

[@TrupimOkiemTV]

Basics, but important. Fatbike kinda kickstarted my love for cycling again, after few years break. I was using my MTB just to get to and back from work from march till october, but now when I have a day off, I like to grind a few kilometers on my beast, just for fun. I missed that. And at the same time, I found this channel. Good timing.

[@MTBZenMaster]

Great work guys! I need this video to help coach my rodie friends👍🏽

[@migatron1]

Tell them to smile more, it helps

[@nigeljohnson8022]

You can't get better than Blake teaching you the basics !!!!

[@lucasolivo2785]

2:25 My favorite brake is actually the front brake 😀

[@scottenman2005]

Looking all over youtube for best videos to get my GF into mountain biking.. These are the Beat videos I have seen yet thank you!

[@mtbaddict7126]

Great video you should make a video about making your bike quieter

[@rupedog]

Doddy has done this I think, over on gmbn tech

[@TheForgedReality]

Onyx hubs. The end. I don't know how anyone can ride with those noisy ass hornets nest hubs.

[@quinox0095]

Why would anybody do that?

[@your_average_cultured_dude]

Am I the only one who thinks the ratcheting sounds satisfying?

[@hendrikkiefer3325]

@@your_average_cultured_dude you're not alone

[@JoaoMarques-nr6eh]

It´s very nice how you guys care about the beginners. Great video, thanks mate.

[@matfly4832]

That's really cool man, thanks a lot! You're a very good teacher. I started with "6 simple skills" video yesterday and practicing the front brake resulted in 2 over-the-bars on the street, I guess this one beginner video is more suited for me :)

[@bishopm4401]

I have a fixed I’m riding for the first time in like 5 years. Y’all and GCN are keeping me inspired to get out there and ride even if I don’t have anything like the bikes you guys do

[@amos8572]

*7:18* He's got some Gordon Ramsay hand gestures.

[@CDuff86]

Treating us all like we're idiot sandwiches

[@valesz4140]

Ahaha yes

[@luciatrstanova8911]

Never had a bike as an adult, my last bike was when i was like 12 and thats more than 10years ago. Rided just roads to get to shop or friends, but i remember i knew the no handed ride. I bought mountain bike, went on my first easy trails and omg, it made me so happy my body didnt forget such a movement, its not as good as it used to be but clearly my body can still do it if i train it a bit :3

[@24mtb74]

Intermediate skills video please

[@locke_ytb]

Blake is my favorite guy.

[@chrisallbright5540]

A pro on a 10k bike: these are basic skills for anyone on the trail Me with my $350 rec bike: *gears slip, brakes snap, crash*

[@luukvantslot519]

Chris Allbright me on a 15 year old bike for 100 euros not Being able to brake and shift properly but having fun

[@chrisallbright5540]

Luuk van 't Slot hey good for you. That’s not fun to me

[@eneruh6237]

Enduro nukeproofs aren’t 10k I’m pretty sure

[@chrisallbright5540]

@@eneruh6237 sorry 6k? You get my point, youtube police

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

lol exactly!!! this^^^^ is me!!

[@FerralVideo]

Wow. Thank you for all of this advice. I consider myself an "experienced novice" in mountain biking, I can probably do... three of these. Particularly want to work on the balancing and weight shifting exercises, and from there it looks like everything else should come relatively naturally. What I consider the most valuable ability on a mountain bike: KNOW HOW TO BAIL. I ride unfinished trails, as bike parks and national or state parks are hard to come by locally. These tend to be a little more technical, and in the case of post-hurricane northwest Florida, littered with fallen trees. If things go sufficiently pear shaped, particularly in low speed technical riding (which I tend to do more of, see above), being able to yeet yourself clear of that sharp hard pointy mass of metal bits that you were just on a moment ago (or, as appropriate, yeet it clear of you) is a really valuable way to keep yourself from getting seriously hurt out there. This could also be handy in high speed downhill riding, although finding a safe place to put yourself in these cases could be more challenging due to the fact that you're traveling at speeds I would consider terrifying.

[@karskikatti4732]

As I kid I never sat when I was biking. I tought it was cooler to stand 😂

[@chandranibrahmapoddar7409]

I know each and every skill from basic to advanced but still loving how he teaches beginners- the tast that I struggle with. Though I am an expert at the age of 16 with 3 medals I think there's a long way to learn...

[@risue08]

Most ppl watching : Basics on MTB riding (touch roads and terrain) Me : Genuinely seeking how to ride a bike.

[@TheLeereeve]

These skills are really useful for beginners. My kid is following the guide and just got the first skill of hands off!

[@bybenny9928]

I love blakes videos😂😂

[@feliciotalbot4321]

Very Clear, Very Professional. I will practice this once quarantine is lifted.....thanks again!!! Love it..

[@summerofsixtynine1]

Awesome video Been on the trails of eastern ontario all the pandemic... hardly anyone around, not many hills but beautiful trails thru forests thanks Blake!

[@migatron1]

I'm not a beginner, but I'll watch it cos Blake's here

[@brianbgood]

Probably the best channel on KZbin... I learned stuff. Stuff that will probably save my ass.. Thank you

[@guyonthebike]

5:07 that's a pretty dope van.

[@Motosthetic]

Was just about to comment that. Europeans get all the cool unique vans and hatches. Sucks for us Americans. We get better trucks though.

[@HalfGiant_S80]

Just got into the sport, I'm grateful for the tips! Thanks!

[@Jomoplays]

The way I learned no hand was from me riding one handed, then slowly releasing my fingers so from 5 to 4 then 4th to 3rd finger toke me like a week xF

[@aracoonswagman1191]

Bro I dont even remember how I did I was like 6 and saw a dude doing no hands so I tried it on my bmx bike at the time and did it after 2 days

[@ThaguyMike]

Used to do alot of these as a kid with a BMX bike. Now as a 30 yo I'm learning to do these again.

[@kash7553]

Hey can u do a video on gear shifting and the basics of how gears work?

[@Bear0280]

I’d love to say thanks heaps Blake for showing and explaining these must learn skills🤠

[@elijahparsons4530]

Dany teaching Jon how to MTB: Just bend the knee

[@popoporifox4229]

Thank you this will help me with my first mtb ride tomorrow

[@holmes6878]

i remember doing a no hander down a paved road for a good 20 seconds until my balance just left my side and put me into a street lamp

[@1stFlyingeagle]

You master the trek stand, and you can beat all the others. Coming to a complete stop and not coming off is a key to mastering the two wheels.

[@hexa3327]

6:18 When did we learn jumping on a bike on the same Spot?

[@rafaelvalente4595]

Perfect tutorial for beginners!! Thanks, mate!

[@cllris]

5:32 Is what you all came here for. 🦅

[@SuperFcott]

hahahaha

[@gmbn]

🤣🤘

[@Oggeozcar]

every where. I start ride again from october of year 18. But 20 years ago i ride with no suspension. ( bit havyier now) my first own bought bike, love it. hard tail principia evoke a2.9 Love the bike!!!

[@jackbeames7643]

#askgmbn what do you do with all the fox and other brand droppers you get on your bikes once you have put the crankbrothers dropper on?

[@michaelmcgill2581]

Jack Beames 😂

[@jackharper2125]

great video, I'm in Isolation and spending hours in my garden practicing

[@jjdmk-music]

OMG I DIDNT KNOW THEY HAD GMBN SOCKS !!!!!!!!!!! :)))))))))))))))

[@adventuresona700dollarhard5]

GOALS

[@rupedog]

Shop

[@gmbn]

shop.gmbn.com

[@jjcompvideosj-j_comp4604]

Nukeproof Mega carbon 27.5 19. So happy to see this bike in your vid. Love this bike.

[@exploringwithben6640]

Hi blake

[@MrBrutalMachinee]

Watching some mtb videos and i ended up buying hardtail. It's been 15 years since i rode mtb and had fun in trails and urban routes, let's see how much my body remembers after so long time. It's arriving in 2 days 👌

[@arti-party1236]

This felt like I was 2 years old and my dad teaching me to ride a bike

[@martuchna6084]

Blake is my favorite person on the team. Wish to have some lessons with him.

[@darthpotassiums1fan20]

I’m pretty proficient on trails but I still cant track stand for the life of me 😂.

[@XEinstein]

I'm 40 and have been riding bikes for 39 years. Have been practicing my track stand for the past five years literally every time I have to stop while cycling. If I'm lucky I can stand over a minute now, usually it is shorter. Trying to do it with one hand nowadays as well. It truly requires lots of training to master.

[@Nalublu]

I bought my first bike since the 90’s. Very different than 30 years ago. I feel like I have to learn all over.

[@proshopcuber121]

I've been mountainbiking for 3 years and i haven't mastered theese skills.why is it so hard to bunny hop or hold a manual or pick up the rear wheel😭😭😭

[@rio5866]

Make sure to just ride alot. I learned how to bhop 1 year after starting and i never even practiced it

[@unfunny2258]

this is late but for picking up the rear wheel point your toes down and pick up your feat while leaning forward, feels like you will go otb but thats how you do it

[@GauravPatelks]

The best channel I've ever subscribed 🥰😉

[@exploringwithben6640]

What full sus mtb should a kid that rides 27.5 wheels get?

[@jamesnizzy9774]

A decent full suspension will set you back £1000 minimum, if you're on a budget get a hardtail (they are more versatile than ppl think) If you really want a full sus go for a Vitus bike. You can get some really good components for a VERY fair price. Hope this helps :)

[@exploringwithben6640]

Foxyboi yeah I ride a hard tail just now but I’m going to get a full suspension mtb soon

[@exploringwithben6640]

Foxyboi thanks for helping 🙏

[@jamesnizzy9774]

Ben’sPOV You’re very welcome

[@tombolton1724]

Any bike you want! If it's going to be your only bike I would recommend getting a trail or enduro bike (~150-170mm suspension travel) as they can do pretty much anything and everything. If you're on a budget I would definitely recommend buying a second hand bike that is a year or two old and been properly looked after. This way you get a tidy bike with all the newest tech (dropper post, 1x11 etc) for sometimes half the cost of a new bike. (This also saves you the fear of the dreaded first scratch on a new bike!) Most importantly though, no matter what bike you have, ride it as much as you can!

[@atharvabhagwat2082]

You are a great teacher I will definitely try these tricks Thank you so much

[@andreyc.3600]

Blake is really da best. I usually have hard time understanding british english, but in case of Blake it's like reading subtitles.

[@MrTramtararam]

Because it isn't "british english". He was born in Zimbabwe. Of course his accent might have changed since lives in Isle of Wight, UK now but his accent is similar to Trevor Noah for example in my opinion.

[@Bacciagalupe]

Blake, you're The Man!

[@bracket0398]

Im glad you took the Leigh Donovan learning and did a great redub on it! Very nice dudes. I like the attention you always bring to this stuff. Perhaps other things (maintenance) like; tubeless change solo in shop (which you already did?), caliper/rotor adjust, bleeds (gravity and full), truing (!). Tell me what I stupidly labeled thacha did already, and thanks for being awesome kids! Visit Flagstaff!

[@th_js]

It's so funny how Blake always pretends he's a novice rider in these videos just to be relatable for the newbies, that's awesome. You're one of my favourite riders 🤘🏻