Skills & Drills to make Winter more Fun

This week saw a shift - I'm back at the dirt jumps after school with my little guy, client calls - we're talking about more lifting and less riding, even prepping for ski season. And the World Cup Riders are back in town, crushing my V02max and self-esteem 😩

Here's how I'm framing things for me and my Riders...

Seasons change. Routines shift. More rain, less daylight, colder rides.

At first, Fall can feel like a problem:

• 🌧️ Wetter trails = less traction

• 🌒 Shorter days = fewer ride windows

• ❄️ Cold temps = tougher motivation

• 🟢 The occasional hero dirt = short-lived, not the norm

But instead of looking at fall and winter as a time for less fun, it can be a chance to find fun in different ways.

Fun Drills and Ideas for the Season

• Braking Control in Wet ConditionsInstead of avoiding “dry-only” features, use this season to practice braking mechanics so you can ride them confidently when the trails are slippery. Find intermediate features to challenge your control on, always with a bigger goal in mind. Use body positioning and brake modulation to see how slow you can go through a section — it builds confidence. When you feel ready, move on to the main goal feature.

• Grip Hunting & Trail ReadingChallenge yourself to find traction by refining body position and line choice in the wet.

• Pump Track IntervalsThe pump track isn’t just for kids — it’s a perfect way to build skill and fitness at the same time. Try:

  • 30s hard laps → 60s rest → repeat x6

  • Focus on smooth pump and rhythm

• BMX or Dirt Jumps Keep riding playful by sessioning the same line or jump 10x. Start small for warm-ups, then progress to bigger lines once your pop and landings feel dialed. Like the pump track, arrive with an intended workload in mind — maybe 5 medium lines — so you know when you’ve accomplished what you came for.

• Wet Trail Repeats Pick a short tech section and ride it 5x. Each attempt, change your braking timing or body position to find more control and grip.

Pro Tip - show up with commitment to a clear plan e.g "I'm going to get 10 laps in" - that way you'll stay on-task and have more fun.

Adding Strength to the Mix

If, like me and my Riders, you're in the gym regularly working on these movements and others like them, pairing these drills with strength movements creates powerful strength/skill carryover:

• Pump track sessions: Push-ups & kettlebell swings for upper/lower body power.

• Dirt jump sessions: hang-power clean to build explosive pop and landing stability.

• Wet trail repeats: Barbell windshield wipers & oblique holds for trunk control and rotational stability.

Better Still -

Mountain biking is still an endurance sport at its core — whether we like to admit it or not. So when you’re out working on riding fitness, why not make it fun and build your skills at the same time? That’s the philosophy behind my MTB-specific programming: blend Strength, Endurance and Skill in ways that keep riders not only improving, but enjoying the process, year-round.

Fall and winter don’t have to mean less fun. They mean different fun. With a little creativity, you can stay consistent, sharpen skills, and build fitness all at once.

👉 Have questions about how to fit these concepts in to your routine? Book a free 15-minute Strategy call.

.👉 Ready to commit? Book a launch call and join the Performance Program or Online Breakfast Club — training that blends strength, skills, and fun.

See you guys on the Trail,

Coach Ackerley