A blog on coaching, learning and all things bike. Feed the stoke!
- Unlock Your Potential: Tackle the Trails with Online Mountain Bike Coachingby Nic JohnsonOnline mountain bike coaching, is it a thing? Can you learn to mountain bike online? Lots of clients have admitted to me that they have tried to learn to ride better through watching ‘how-to’ mountain bike You Tube clips and Instagram tutorials online. And then in the same breath, pretty much most clients will express frustration. After watching numerous online videos and reels, whether it is about how to ride a corner, or perform a specific skill, the messages are often conflicting and confusing. The end result is you can be left feeling overwhelmed by all the information, and unsure… Read more: Unlock Your Potential: Tackle the Trails with Online Mountain Bike Coaching
- A Cycling Adventure: Exploring Taiwan’s Hidden Gemsby Nic JohnsonThe first thing people ask about our cycle tour of Taiwan is: Why Taiwan? Well, it’s easy – Taiwan is a small country with diverse natural landscapes, great food, lovely people and is extremely bike-friendly. It’s so bike-friendly that cars slow down and hand food and drinks out the window, people shout encouragement from their scooters as they whizz past and the local police stations double as cycling rest stops complete with bike pumps, tools, toilets and a microwave to heat up your pot noodles. We flew to the capital, Taipei in early January – the middle of winter in… Read more: A Cycling Adventure: Exploring Taiwan’s Hidden Gems
- I went skiing for the first time and it was terrifying!by Nic JohnsonIt’s hard to imagine but at the age of 45 I went skiing for the very first time. How difficult can it be? Most sports have come to me pretty easily, so downhill skiiing won’t be much different right? I started with a two-hour private lesson with my amazing instructor Tom from Latvia. He asked what I wanted to learn, and of course I said ‘JUMPS!’ So, we trudged up to the learner slope to where the four-year-olds were. I listened like a sponge and tried to be the best student I could be. After the lesson I joined my… Read more: I went skiing for the first time and it was terrifying!
Brooke R9 May 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My private lesson with Nic was an awesome experience. I haven't laughed so hard whilst also learning so much new information in a long time - the two hours just flew by! She quickly identified what I needed to work on and then was able to break down and explain the skills in a way that was easy to understand and retain. Nic had a great ability to communicate without making me feel stupid for not knowing something, which I really appreciated. After the session, Nic sent through notes of everything that was covered-videos, lessons, reccomendations etc- which was really helpful. I found throughout the whole process, from reaching out and booking to the post lesson follow-up, that Nic was very communicative, professional, and approachable. I came away from the session super motivated to put into practice everything she taught me, and I will definitely be booking another session! Dane Divine27 April 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great session with Nic. She could just see what it was I needed to work on and taught me in a way that made sense and that I will remember. Very happy. Jo Smith27 April 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Nic gave me an awesomely structured coaching session that included a vastly improved bike setup, super supportive feedback on areas to strengthen as well as building my confidence on cornering-all in 2 hours! Amazing!!! I highly recommend Nic for your next coaching session-my rides are now extra challenging in a fun way cos I have homework to do! Thanks Nic!!! Ka rawe! Russell Pearless25 March 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great session with Nik today, figured out what some of my riding position issues are. Nik was awesome in figuring it all out and the video really helped, as like most people what I think I am doing is what I am actually doing. Christine Sharp21 March 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. i had a great morning with Nic and five other women learning the basics of mountain biking , checking my bike ,body position on the bike ,corners and finally skids .Good fun Hamish Hesketh18 March 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Just had a superb 1on1 session with Nic. We packed in so much learning into the time and I even feel like I progressed as the lesson unfolded. Nic is someone who not only has superb riding skill - but she is also able to communicate the skill and the building blocks of that skill in a very clear and understandable way. It is such a good way of learning a practical skill in chunks that can the be put together to achieve a skill. She’s also really good at identifying and finding solutions from issues and bad habit that have crept into my riding. And if one way of doing it isn’t working she identifies other options. It’s super helpful and I don’t feel like I’m locked into a method. I’ve also come away with a good list of skills and ‘aha’ moments to work on - as well as really helpful cues that prompt me as I ride. I can’t recommend Nic highly enough and am already thinking of booking more lessons. Jonathan Kennett18 March 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Such as great coach! Even if you've been mountain biking for eons, you can learn new skills from Nic, which when you think about it, is very cool indeed. I jumped further than I have in the past, without feeling in danger. Jo Rea15 March 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had an enjoyable and useful morning with Nic and 5 other female mountain bikers on the basics of cornering, bike check, braking and learnt a couple of skids. Nic is a great coach - patient, explains and demonstrates well with a cool sense of humour. Excellent follow up with notes of what was covered to embed with practice. I look forward to our next session Nic - thanks!
The first thing people ask about our cycle tour of Taiwan is: Why Taiwan? Well, it’s easy – Taiwan is a small country with diverse natural landscapes, great food, lovely people and is extremely bike-friendly. It’s so bike-friendly that cars slow down and hand food and drinks out the window, people shout encouragement from their … Read more “A Cycling Adventure: Exploring Taiwan’s Hidden Gems”