Advanced techniques & winning strategies
Ultimate Mountain Biking
In 1989 the best mountain bike racers in the country showed us how they ride. Seven pros each take a part of the course, from the long climb to the trials rocks, and explain what they do and why.
Tinker Juarez climbs, Jimmy Deaton descends, Cindy Whitehead threads the singletrack, and world trials champion Ot Pi Isern hops along sea cliffs. Between the lessons is race footage from Mammoth, Moab and Palm Springs, set to an original score. Patty Mooney remastered and re-edited the film in 2025.
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One course, seven pros
The film is built like a race course. Each pro takes the stretch they were best at.
- Cross-country and nutrition
Margaret Day
The 1988 national champion on riding smooth over long distances, and on eating like a racer.
- Uphill
Tinker Juarez
Later a two-time Olympian, Tinker spins up the climbs in a big gear and crests without getting winded.
- Downhill
Jimmy Deaton
The national downhill champion at full speed through Mission Trails in San Diego.
I let my arms and legs absorb the shock. I carve into the turns instead of braking.
- Singletrack and switchbacks
Cindy Whitehead
The national champion on tight trails, and on sharing them with hikers and horses.
When I’m racing I think to myself, ‘Can I go faster?’
- Preparing your bike, turns and berms
Glen Adams
Schwinn’s racer on setting up the bike, pre-riding a course and carrying speed through corners.
- Trials
Ot Pi Isern
The world observed trials champion hops between rocks on the sea cliffs at Corona del Mar.
With practice, you can be world champion.
- Stretching and strengthening
John Howard
The Ironman champion and Olympian shares his training routine, with 16-year-old road champion Denise Mueller.
On the shoot, 1988 and 1989
The crew followed the race season, from the Mammoth Kamikaze to Moab’s Fat Tire Festival and Cindy Whitehead’s Palm Springs Desert Classic.
Remastered, and still teaching
In 2025 Patty Mooney up-rezzed, remastered and re-edited the film for HD. Working on it meant watching the pros’ lessons over and over, and their advice on balance, control and saving energy stuck with her.
At 70, Patty says she has never been faster on her mountain bike.
She keeps up with the guys on the trail, and sometimes beats them. The gear and the outfits are pure 1989, but the riding technique holds up.
The soundtrack
The original score, remastered, is on Bandcamp to stream or download. Listen on Bandcamp
More from the trail
- The making of Ultimate Mountain BikingPatty’s diary of the shoot, from Corona del Mar to the Julian Fat Tire Festival.
- With Eyes Wide OpenA mountain bike race story.
- All mountain biking filmsSix films from the sport’s early years, 1988 to 1995.
Unlock the full hour with the pros for $5, no subscription. For educational use or licensing, contact us.
Watch the full filmPatty Mooney and Mark Schulze are San Diego filmmakers and the co-founders of New & Unique Videos®, making independent films since 1985.