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.
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?
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.
WANNA BE A MOUNTAIN BIKE INSTRUCTOR?
Have you ever found yourself always giving your mates a few tips every time you go out for a ride? Are you the person people always turn to when their girlfriend/boyfriend wants to start riding and they need you to give them a lesson?