Multiple Absa Cape Epic winner, Ariane Kleinhans and South African XCO National Champion, James Reid – are helping Spur Schools Mountain Bike League participants sharpen their bike skills. While preparing for the Marathon and Cross-country World Champs in Europe, they also made a series of videos to inspire the next generation of mountain biking superstars to get out on their bikes more.
The Spur sponsorship deal also sees the world-class duo become ambassadors for Spur’s highly successful Schools Mountain Bike League. Throughout 2016 they will engage directly with the future mountain biking stars of South Africa at grassroots events and hopefully inspire the next generation of cycling superstars.
The Spur Sizzling Skills videos will take riders from the Spur Schools League through a series of basic technical and mechanical skills, such as rolling over bumps, hitting drop-offs, mastering fast starts, tackling steep climbs as well as fixing punctures quickly and the smooth handing out of water bottles.
A Spur Sizzling Skillz video will be released each week in the build-up to the Spur Schools Mountain Bike League Final, which takes place in Magaliesburg, Gauteng on the weekend of 8-9 October, 2016.
Spur Schools League ambassadors Ariane and James will be at the National Final in October and will be able to see first-hand how many scholars have mastered the basic building blocks to riding fast and having more fun on a mountain bike.
Meet Team Spur
Spur Schools Mountain Bike League Ambassadors Ariane Kleinhans and James Reid will be at the League’s National Final in October. If you want to see them there you’ll need to brush up on your technical skills! Check out the series of basic tips and skills Ariane and James have created to help you go faster and have more fun. Now get riding…
Pre-race Bike Check
Watch Team Spur mechanic JP Jacobs, take you through an essential pre-race bike check. Make sure your machine is safe and ready to rip up the trails at your next Spur Schools Mountain Bike League event!
Hopping Pavements
Mountain biking about dealing with whatever the trail throws at you. Successfully getting you and your bike up and over rocks, steps and bumps is an important skill to master. Watch Ariane Kleinhans from Team Spur show you the simple approach to getting over an obstacle, so you can practice on a pavement at home.
Starting Fast!
South African Cross-country Mountain Bike Champion James Reid has spent years honing his mass-starting technique. Here he shows you how to make sure you’re the first rider into that first singletrack section!
Climbing
Ariane Kleinhans is known for her climbing powers, and while her incredible fitness gets her to the top quickly, it’s her strong technique that provides the greatest advantage. Let the Swiss Marathon Champion show you how to speed up hills!
Fixing a Flat
South African Mountain Bike Champion James Reid has been known to plug a tyre, inflate it, and get racing again in under 20 seconds! Here he takes you through the basics of this essential trailside mechanical skill.
Don’t miss the next installment of of the Spur Sizzling Skills video series, subscribe to the Spur YouTube channel by clicking here. You can also follow James and Ariane as they race their bikes around the world by liking the Team Spur Facebook page or following @Team_Spur on Twitter.
