Photo by Philip Beckman, pbcreativephoto.com

What you will learn

Andy will take you through the core skills of the Lee Likes Bikes Training Method (learn more about the Lee Likes Bikes Training Method here). Expect to rock these skills, then learn to apply them on real terrain:

• Attack position
• Braking
• Cornering
• Up and down obstacles
• Pumping terrain
• Shredding and having more fun!

About Coach Andy

Andy Somerville is a seasoned bike coach who helps riders of all ages improve their efficiency and performance.

As a founding coach and a director for the SoCal High School Cycling League, Andy has helped scores of teens (yikes!) win races and simply finish races in one piece. Andy is a licensed MTB 101 Instructor for the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (which uses the Lee Likes Bikes Training Method), teaching coaches to teach the good stuff to the next generation of high school cyclists. Also, Andy is one of the few elite Lee Likes Bikes skills instructors. When you work with Andy, you are getting a whole lot of experience plus excellent kung fu.

As an experienced racer in XC, Super D, and Enduro, Andy understands the rider’s viewpoint and real-world challenges on course and trail. Andy has keen observation skills, clear communication skills, empathy and a healthy sense of humor. His teaching style is down to earth and easy to understand.

Andy is ultra-passionate about cycling, health, trail advocacy and promoting access to our beloved sport. His mission is to help riders improve their skills and confidence so they can explore new trails and have great adventures. Off the bike, Andy works in marketing for a consumer products company and has raised three avid cyclists of his own.

Sea Otter DH photo by Zazoosh Media. Other photos by Joel Woodward.

Public sessions

Andy is teaching public skills clinics in Southern California and elsewhere.

Check out LLB full-day skills clinics

Private sessions

Andy is holding private and semi-private sessions in Southern California.

To arrange your session(s), email Andy at andy@leelikesbikes.com

Sign up for private and semiprivate classes:

Each class is limited to six riders. We are all about quality instruction.

You can pay with Paypal balance, credit card or bank account. You DO NOT need a Paypal account. If you want to pay with credit card over the phone, email lee@leelikesbikes.com.

After you send payment, Andy will contact you to set up/confirm your session(s).

How many hours do you want?
Cell number and riding goals?


Coach Andy assesses an attack position in Park City, UT. He’s showing a pretty good hip hinge himself.

Questions?

Contact Lee McCormack at lee@leelikesbikes.com or Andy Somerville at andy@leelikesbikes.com.

Policies

All classes adhere to our policies.

Stoked riders

Hi Andy,

I enjoyed the clinic, no regrets, and would love to do another clinic.
So I went and road Santiago Oaks last night went down Deer, Cactus, and Chutes and I just got LOW like you said and I my times improved by a few seconds or matched my PRs with a much smoother feeling.  Actually, I didn’t feel fast at all as I was thinking of body and feet positioning.
Khoa
 – – – – – – – – –
Andy,
The clinic was great! You were great! I would be interested in another session.
And one day I hope to get my wife out there. She is pregnant right now with our second so it will be a few months before I can get her out.
Thanks for the pic!
Happy Friday
Nick
 – – – – – – – – –
Good Morning Andy,
I wanted to reach out and thank you for the awesome MTB Clinic last night, I learned so much on how the basic foundation of MTB riding which helps to be more confident.
Please add me to your MTB Skills Clinics email list coming up very interested in learning more,
Thanks again,
Dave
 – – – – – – – – –

Hi Andy,

Thanks again for a great clinic (and photo); I learned a ton! I know you said we were the guinea pigs for this new format and from my perspective it was a success.
For me, the format is perfect. A full day of biking is extremely difficult for my personal/work schedule (2 kids under 3). So the evening format is just right. While I would always enjoy an entire day of riding, the two hours seemed just enough to be taught one skill that I can take back with me and practice. It was also nice to have enough time to get a short ride in at the end of class.
Please keep me posted on any future clinic dates.
Mike
 – – – – – – – – –


Andy shreds in Big Bear, CA. Braaap!


Pumping the rocks during an Andy clinic in Orange County, CA.


Andy shreds in Moab, UT.


13 replies
  1. leelikesbikes says:

    Lee,

    I wanted to take a couple of minutes to let you know what a pleasure it was working with Andy. This was probably the best investment I’ve made in MTB. If I were to come up with a marketing phrase for your type of work, I’d say: “invest in your skills, not a more expensive bike”.

    I do have to tell you: your F6 book definitely prepared me for this session. I was a little tired during the climb, but I had the energy and strength to get the benefit of the downhill sections and Andy’s tips. And I for sure wasn’t destroyed by the end of the day.

    Anyway, I know I have a lot of work to do, but I’m excited and I have enough building blocks to work with thanks to you guys. This will not be the last time that I enroll for a class at the Rad Academy.

    ~Carlos

    Reply
  2. leelikesbikes says:

    Hi Lee,

    Just took a clinic with Coach Andy yesterday. Super cool dude! He helped me fine tune a few of the things from your book I’ve been working on for the past year or so. Should definitely help me pick up a few seconds here and there on my rides. He even helped me squeak out a bit of extra speed to be able to beat him down one of the trails. The mark of a very solid coach I’d say!

    I still have a lot of work to do on my fitness, but he suggested I take a more advanced clinic from you at some point. I’ll keep my eye out on your blog for any upcoming California clinics you come out for.
    In the mean time, I’ll go and reread the book a few more times and keep working on the shred.

    Ryan

    Reply
  3. leelikesbikes says:

    Hi Lee,

    Last week I took a skills class with Andy Somerville in Orange County and it has helped me a ton. Yesterday, I rode a trail where I usually walk two rocky sections but today I walked only one. I would have ridden both sections but lost momentum on one of them. The best part was that I was way more comfortable than I’ve ever been and it turns out that I got a PR on that segment. It was great being in control and having fun. I wish I took this clinic years ago.

    Cheers,
    Mike

    Reply
  4. leelikesbikes says:

    Lee,

    I had a session with Andy on Saturday. I was hoping to get a lot out of it to help me mountain bike safer and increase my skill level. And that’s what I got, although I have a lot of practicing to do 🙂 Andy was just great. He spoke with me about the philosophy of your teaching method and it made so much sense right from the beginning. I have been watching videos and reading how to do certain things but that was not working too well. Having Andy there to show me how to do things correctly, explain why they work, and then watch me a teach me was so valuable. It was like a light bulb going on all day. Andy was and is a very good instructor. He never judged nor had any ego. His heart was completely into helping me get better so I can enjoy riding even more. He encouraged me and praised me as I took “leaps of faith” and pushed my boundaries and that is exactly what a good instructor in anything should do. I look forward to taking another session with Andy once I get the skills down that he taught me. I am so glad I signed up. You are very lucky to have a guy like Andy on your staff.

    Chris Dayley

    Reply
  5. leelikesbikes says:

    Hi Andy,

    Thanks so much for the great MTB coaching and the pics/video!! The pics and video offer some great feedback on body positioning and how we (I) still need to keep practicing all the great information you gave us. We had a great day of learning at your clinic and want to do it again in 6 months. Your informative and enthusiastic teaching style is awesome!!

    Thanks again for showing us how to perform the killer Kung Fu!!

    Dave Nissen

    Reply
  6. leelikesbikes says:

    I just want to say WOW that was an amazing experience! Thanks so much Andy for your time and patience , especially on the climbs! Really spectacular venue; however, clearly my fitness/cardio level is needing attention.

    I am going to put the info I learned today to work right away. Already have some trails in mind to test myself.

    Thanks again!
    Tom Mauro

    Reply
  7. leelikesbikes says:

    Kudos to Coach Andy for teaching me how to “Ride” on correct knowledge and gave me drills to practice on for switchbacks, rollers, drops, high drops, very high drops, drops with turns and climbs (I was a bit scared doing those but just trusted on proper body position, arm range of motions and his tips to do it safely!) I had fun doing a lot of standing pedaling, powerful yet effortless. Crazy how easy it gets with proper techniques. Riding down and up a turn is rad. Clearly I was “off” on a lot of “off camber” turns but something to work on. I really got more than what I expected on this level 2 skills class. In my mind I wanted more but Andy, being an experience coach, knows that I’m reaching my physical limits for the day and learning will be futile. I’ll be ready for more radness next time.

    My take home insight: “i-ROCK” (Riding On Correct Knowledge) hehehe

    DonBayanLakewoodCA

    Reply
  8. leelikesbikes says:

    Andy,

    We had a great time today. Your coaching was amazing.

    My wife walked the switchbacks before you coached her.
    Rode it when you coached her.
    And found them easy when we rode them again. She had to ask me which switchback she had trouble with because she could not remember.

    Quite a good day.

    Cheers,
    Arjuna

    Reply
  9. Julian Love says:

    Just finished up my second class with Andy. I’m very impressed and even surprised by how far Andy has taken me in only a few hours. I rode stuff today that I never thought to even attempt before, and felt solid doing it. Andy is a great teacher and knows how to set you up for what you are ready to learn, and when to back things down when you aren’t. Best money and time I’ve yet spent on mountain biking, period. I highly recommend Andy to anyone getting into the sport or looking to improve.

    -Julian

    Reply
  10. Donna says:

    Andy was a great instructor during the group clinic at Santiago Canyon. Very patient, provided constructive criticism and corrective feedback, and encouraged us to try the techniques he demonstrated. It’s hard to break old habits, so I’m glad I’ve only been in MTB for a year. It helped to analyze the progression of skills and understand how they’re connected in all aspects of the sport. I’m practicing on the local trails and can already feel the difference while descending and climbing. Thanks for a great morning on the trails!

    Reply
  11. Brandon Owens says:

    Within the first 20 minutes I was learning skills and making connections about how the skills would transfer to the trail. Andy was patient and helped me integrat the skills whick improved my riding through out the lesson. Big thanks to LLB and especially Andy!

    Reply

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  1. […] is an avid cyclist living in Orange County, CA. As a mountain bike skills coach for LeeLikesBikes.com, Andy has a strong passion for cycling and plenty of experience with knee pain. You can view his […]

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