WELCOME TO THE GSMBC BLOG!
Dig in below to all the articles about our 20 year history that led to the creation of GSMBC and all the latest news, technical articles, coaching tips and updates!
GSMBC is an independent organization and is not affiliated with PMBIA or its programs. Any references to past contributions are intended solely to reflect GSMBC’s history and experience in the industry.
Your Brain Needs a Warm-Up Too
Discover how elite MTB riders use pre-run rituals—like breathing, visualization, and mental walkthroughs—to boost confidence and focus before a race run. Backed by neuroscience, this blog explores how coaches can apply neural priming and state-dependent learning to help athletes perform under pressure.
Knowing When Not to Race: The Psychology of Pulling Back
In mountain biking, the toughest call isn’t always whether to send it — it’s knowing when not to. When Loïc Bruni and Tahnée Seagrave both chose to sit out the last race of year they proved that restraint can be the smartest form of strength. This post dives into the psychology behind those decisions, the “culture of risk” in sport, and how coaches can teach riders to recognize when holding back protects long-term performance.
Read the full piece and explore strategies from the GSMBC Reference Guide on building awareness, resilience, and smart decision-making.
Mountain Bike Coaching Q&A: Frame Sizing, Suspension, Setup & More
Getting the right mountain bike size isn’t guesswork—it’s science and coaching combined. In this GSMBC guide, we break down how to measure frame size, match bike fit to rider height, and choose the right wheel size for confident, efficient riding. Whether you’re fitting a 10-year-old on a 24-inch bike or coaching a 6-foot rider into a large 29er, proper sizing builds comfort, control, and skill progression. Grounded in GSMBC’s Reference Guide and Advanced Coach FLOW framework, this Q&A covers everything from seat height and handlebar setup to suspension tuning and common fitting mistakes. Written for coaches, instructors, and riders across Canada—especially those training on Whistler’s world-class trails—it’s your complete resource for teaching bike fit the right way.
The Tomato Timer
Mountain bike coaching isn’t just about drilling skills on the trail—it’s also about managing energy, focus, and recovery. That’s where the Pomodoro Technique, a time-management method born far from dirt tracks, becomes surprisingly relevant. By breaking sessions into short, focused bursts followed by intentional breaks, both riders and coaches can sustain sharper concentration, improve skill retention, and reduce fatigue.
For riders, this means progressing faster without burning out. For coaches, it means protecting their own energy so they can plan better lessons, give more thoughtful feedback, and stay sharp across long days of teaching. As GSMBC outlines in its training frameworks, the best lessons balance structure with flow, and the Pomodoro approach reinforces exactly that—focused effort, then purposeful pause
Do Anti-lock brakes belong in mtb?
ABS revolutionized braking in cars and motorcycles, but mountain biking presents unique challenges. G-force research shows how braking affects flow, suspension, and traction—the exact issues ABS is designed to solve. So why hasn’t it caught on in MTB yet?
The 3 A’s of GSMBC:
Affordability | Accessibility | Awesomeness
At the Global Syndicate of Mountain Bike Coaches (GSMBC), we’re not just shaping the future of mountain bike coach education — we’re redefining it. Our mission is simple: make coach education more accessible, more affordable, and flat-out more awesome than ever before.
Welcome to the next generation of MTB coaching and certification.
What Do Fighter Pilots and Mountain Bikers Have in Common?
Fighter pilots and mountain bikers share more than you’d think: both depend on razor-thin margins and split-second decisions. This blog explores Terrain Awareness—the invisible skill behind flow, line choice, and confidence—and shows how GSMBC coaches can teach it. Learn how scanning, anticipating, and decisive action transform survival riding into mastery.
The Value of Certification: Why Level 4 Matters (and Why You Should Hear More on the GSMBC Podcast)
As coaches, we know this work is never done—there’s always another level of skill, more nuance in teaching, new situations that test your judgment. At GSMBC, our certification pathway isn’t just about ticking boxes. It’s about building a culture of professionalism, consistency, and excellence that raises the standard for mountain bike coaching worldwide.
How to Help Your Mountain Bike Students Choose the Right Size Bike
As a mountain bike coach, helping students pick the right bike size is one of the most important things you can do. This falls directly under GSMBC’s Equipment Skills Coaching Pillar—understanding bikes and helping riders get the right setup is essential for safe, confident, and effective riding. A properly sized and set-up bike improves safety, handling, and rider confidence, giving students the tools they need to focus on skills and enjoyment rather than struggling with poor fit.
GSMBC Launches New Merch + Supports World Bicycle Relief
Introducing the GSMBC Inspire WBR Collection: Bikes. Purpose. Impact.
At GSMBC, we believe in the power of the bike to change lives—so much so that we’re committed to donating 100% of profits from our GSMBC Inspire WBR Collection to World Bicycle Relief, the nonprofit mobilizing rural communities through the gift of durable, purpose-built bicycles.
Build Your Adaptive MTB Coaching Toolbox with GSMBC
Mountain biking is for everyone—and that includes riders of all abilities. As adaptive mountain biking (AMTB) continues to grow, so does the need for skilled, confident coaches who know how to support and elevate adaptive riders on the trails.
Teaching JUMPS & Drops with Confidence: The Triangle of Success
Are you ready to take your MTB coaching to the next level? Whether you're coaching beginners learning their first small jumps, or guiding advanced riders into bigger drops and features, GSMBC’s Intro to AIR and Advanced AIR certification courses are built to help you teach with confidence, safety, and purpose.
Understanding the Transition in MTB Coaching: From PMBIA to GSMBC
In 2025, the mountain biking coaching community experienced a significant transition with the departure of key leadership and technical staff from the Professional Mountain Bike Instructors Association (PMBIA). This development has given rise to a new coaching body, the Global Syndicate of Mountain Bike Coaches (GSMBC), spearheaded by the very individuals who helped establish PMBIA as a global standard in MTB instruction.
GSMBC TALK WITH Neko Mulally – The Goal is the Same: How to Go Fastest from Start to Finish
GSMBC Interview with Neko Mulally – The Goal is the Same: How to Go Fastest from Start to Finish
This week, Kristian and Paul sit down with the one and only Neko Mulally — professional downhill racer, bike designer, commentator, and Team Owner of Frameworks Racing.
The Power of the Mind: Lessons from the Trail
In mountain biking—where grit meets gradient—I’ve learned again and again that the mind can be just as important as the body. That truth hit home recently during a ride that started with nothing more than a bit of background inspiration.
GSMBC ON THE DOWNTIME PODCAST!
This week I’m talking MTB coaching with Paul Howard from ZEP Coaching and the GSMBC. Paul’s been shaping mountain bike coaching for years, and his work has helped define the global standards we see today. We dig into how modern coaching has evolved, how elite-level riders are pushing the limits, and what we can learn from the way the best in the world ride.
Beyond Skills: The Six Key Factors That Drive Mountain Bike Performance
Beyond Skills: The Six Key Factors That Drive Mountain Bike Performance
When it comes to mountain bike coaching, performance isn’t just about perfecting your technique. Across sports and countries—Canada, New Zealand, the UK—coaches often reference the same six core performance factors, regardless of what they’re called locally. These six pillars are: Environment, Equipment, Technical, Tactical, Physical, and Psychological—or simply, EETTPP.
What Makes GSMBC Coach Education Different?
At GSMBC (Global Syndicate of Mountain Bike Coaches), we’re always evolving—and one of the most exciting areas of growth is in how we train and educate our coaches through high-quality coach education and certification courses.
Certifications vs. Training: Understanding Their Roles in Coach Education
Certifications vs. Training: Understanding Their Roles in Mountain Bike Coach Education
At GSMBC, we distinguish between certifications and training to clarify their respective roles within the coach education system.
SLOW IS SMOOTH, SMOOTH IS FAST!
Riders, do you want to progress more efficiently?
Coaches, do you want to be better riders?
In this blog, we unpack the saying “slow is smooth and smooth is fast” in the context of coaching and riding to unlock some ideas to improve performance.
The saying “Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast” may sound counterintuitive at first, especially when applied to mountain biking. But when you break it down, it’s a mindset that can transform your riding and racing experience.