Meet Coach Anthony James: Helping Mountain Bikers Ride Stronger, Smarter, and With More Confidence
We’re thrilled to welcome Anthony James to our coaching team!Â
With decades of experience as a mountain biker and endurance athlete, Anthony has tackled everything from epic singletrack to the grueling demands of half and full Ironmans, as well as marathons.
Anthony is passionate about helping mountain bikers sharpen their skills, build endurance, and achieve their race or adventure goals.Â
Based now in Bentonville, AR, he’s ready to work with cyclists in the area—and beyond—who want to ride stronger and smarter.
As a NICA-certified coach, Anthony has recently worked with young athletes in Wisconsin, helping them develop both fitness and confidence on the bike.Â
Now, he’s excited to bring his expertise to a broader range of riders.
If you’re looking for a dedicated coach who understands the unique challenges of mountain biking and endurance racing, reach out and see how Anthony can help you take your riding to the next level!
1. What do you like most about mountain biking? Â Â Â Â
The thing I like most about mountain biking is very similar to gravel riding. I love the fact that you can just get out there and explore and just be in nature. You can go hard or easy or in between. No matter what, it is bound to bring a smile to your face.Â
2. What led you to become a mountain bike coach, and what’s your coaching philosophy?Â
Our local NICA team at the point when I signed up my girls had only 15 kids and while we had coaches some were already on their way out. I stepped up not only for my girls but also to help recruit. My goal was and still is to get more girls on bikes.
My philosophy is all about having fun. There is no need to put pressure on anyone about an event or a goal. They do that all themselves. We help guide, train, coach, and they are the ones doing the events. I only have three questions after an event. What went well, What didn't go well, What could you have done better? Outside of that is how to just incorporate fun into to everything we do.
3. What’s the biggest challenge most riders face when trying to improve their mountain biking skills?
The biggest challenge for kids, parents, and newbies in general is getting them to relax and breath. Just have to learn to let the bike move beneath you as well as looking past your obstacle. If you look at them, you hit them. It is the art of seeing it, and then quickly learning how to look past to where you want to go.Â
4. Can you share an example of how you’ve helped a rider overcome a specific technical challenge?
Man, this is an easy one. There is a giant rock garden at Minooka in Waukesha, WI, called "The Bus." Most kids are highly intimidated by this long giant raised rock garden. But, once we walk it, we do a slow dry run and then let them do it. They realize that sometimes things are not as intimidating as they seem if you take the time to study, watch and do the Pre-ride, Re-Ride, and then Free-Ride.
5. How do you help riders gain confidence on technical trails or descents?
We do a lot of skills work long before we hit the trails. Normally, the goal is to have them experience what a trail may be like by setting up a course in a prairie or field where we can see them and so if they do crash or run over something, it is slow and contained. It’s easier to see what is going on when next to them or watching rather than them behind you.
6. How do you address fear and hesitation when riders struggle with technical features?
I think the answer to this is the same as the answer as the last two questions. It is all about talking about it, walking it, seeing it done, and baby steps. When the time and confidence is there, the athlete will be able to tackle it. No pressure. We can always come back.Â
7. What kind of drills or exercises do you recommend for improving bike handling?
I like to use cones for drills and exercises, something I learned early on. Using cones makes everything controlled and easy. They can run over them, skid on them, and slowly get closer as their confidence builds.
8. How does your approach to coaching differ from other mountain bike coaches?
Since I started coaching kids, I first learned what the athlete knows, what they can do, and then where to start with them. My goal is to make sure they understand the process of why I do what I do, how to build upon it, and just having an open door. I am there to experience the highs or joy of learning something new with them, to be a sounding board and just trying to keep the enthusiasm in check as it is easy to get too confident and get hurt.
9. What’s one thing every mountain biker could start doing today to improve their riding?
By always being sure to warm up easy on a trail even though you have ridden it 10's to 100's of times. You still need an easy warm-up to wake up senses and reaction times. After that, find a spot where you can work on cornering or a rock garden. Stop, then look at the trail as to where you can take straight lines vs following the trail. There are always faster lines. You just have to stop and look. The best line might be rougher and look slower, but it can shave time over the course of the lap or event.Â
10. Who do you primarily work with—beginners, experienced riders, racers?
I love to work with all. I have coached kids (and their parents) since they started 6 or 7 years ago and coached experienced people who just sometimes need someone to hold them accountable on training days or as a sounding board. I love working with all. From the everyday athlete to get better to the racers who want to push their limits. The main thing is, are you having fun while you're doing it?Â
Here are three things to know about Anthony James as our new mountain bike coach
- Decades of Experience – Anthony is a lifelong mountain biker and endurance athlete, having competed in Ironmans, marathons, and epic singletrack races. He knows what it takes to build endurance, technical skills, and confidence on the bike.
- Proven Coaching Success – As a NICA-certified coach, Anthony has helped young athletes and adult riders sharpen their bike handling, overcome technical challenges, and develop race-ready skills in a supportive, fun environment.
- Passionate About Rider Growth – Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned racer, Anthony’s coaching is all about building confidence, finding the right lines, and making mountain biking more fun and rewarding.
Need more?Â
Reach out to Anthony James at [email protected] or 414.915.6788
Anthony is a certified NICA coach and experienced mountain bike skills instructor.Â
Simple Endurance Coaching supports everyday endurance athletes with holistic, personalized coaching to accomplish their adventure and bucket list goals.