EP7: What We Wish We Knew When We Started MTB

Things We Wish We Knew When We Started Mountain BikingJulia and Steph look back on their first rides, early crashes, and the hard lessons that shaped how they ride now. This episode is equal parts beginner advice and real talk about mindset, coaching, fueling, gear, and trail etiquette, with plenty of stories from the messy early days that every new rider can learn from this episode:Julia and Steph share their first biking memories, from grassy hills and neighborhood rides to taking an old bike into the woods and getting instantly hooked.Steph talks about her very first mountain bike ride on Josh’s oversized Giant and the immediate crash that launched her over the bike onto a rock.They both reflect on how crashes shaped their early years, with Steph saying the first two to three years counted as a good ride if she did not crash.The conversation breaks down foundational skills that help new riders progress, including level pedals, heavy feet, light hands, eyes up, and using one finger on the brake.They explain why riding your own ride matters more than matching faster riders, especially when ego or peer pressure pushes beginners beyond their skill level.Nutrition gets a big focus, including why proper fueling before, during, and after rides can prevent bonking, improve performance, and keep rides fun.They discuss why trail mix is not always the best ride fuel, and why carbs usually work better during hard efforts.Protective gear comes up as a confidence tool, not a badge of legitimacy, with a strong recommendation to buy a proper mountain bike helmet and wear pads if they help you ride better.They get into trail etiquette and social etiquette, including why unsolicited advice can be frustrating and why asking if someone wants help should come first.Steph shares why coaching can still be valuable even if you ride with better friends, and why learning from coaches with similar body proportions can sometimes make a big difference.Just a quick note: the views shared in this episode are our own and don’t necessarily reflect the views of our sponsors.Link to our group ride on 8/8/26https://facebook.com/events/s/tgtm-intermediateadvanced-begi/1027489750035383/Instagram:TGTMStephJuliaSound Design:Loui StrumOur website:tgtmpod.comOur email:[email protected]