Last Mountain Biking session for the 'A' Group

 



 

Today was the last mountain biking session for the Level 3 Public Services 'A' group before their assessment in a month's time.

 

The weather was a little better today than the rest of the week. Blue skies but still a chilly northerly wind.

 

The emphasis of todays session was to allow the students to manage their own ride and the group.

 

The route covered wide open moorland trails, forest fire roads and technical single track. It was a really good effort by all the students. 

Another soggy day Mountain Biking on the Quantocks

Back out on the Quantock Hills today with Level 3 Public Services students from Bridgwater College continuing their land-based outdoor activities training.

We had a really good day riding some of the classic single-track bridle-ways that run up and down the combes. Despite the pretty miserable conditions (heavy rain and strong northerly winds) the students did really well. 

Line choice, small drop-offs, gear selection and dynamic weight shift were the skills we focussed on. The day finished by heading back to college to cover bike washing and post ride maintenance. 

Navigation Training on the Mendip Hills

Back working with the Level 3 Outdoor Education students today working on their navigation skills. 

We headed over to the Mendip Hills AONB for a change of scenery. It was pretty cold in the stiff wind but a blue sky day with good views made it all worth it.

The 12 km circular route took us on through varied terrain from managed woodland, open heathland and farmland. 

During the day the students had plenty of time to practice the basic navigation skills from previous weeks, examples of these include timings, pacing, collecting and catching features.

We also found time to start working on some more advanced techniques such as hand-railing, aiming off and attack points. The students now need to practice these skills and become slick at them in preparation for their land-based outdoor activities module.

A really good day out in the hills.

Mixed weather for Mountain Biking

Following a half term break from Bridgwater College I was straight back to practial sessions on the first day back. Continuing with the mountain biking training sessions for the Level 3 Public Services students I headed back to the Quantock Hills with the 'C' group.

The weather foreast was true to its word. Heavy wintery showers on higher ground with sunny spells and winds gusting 30mph+.

We headed out from Lydeard Hill car park taking in some nice open trails, forest tracks and short sections of technical rocky terrain.

The students all did really well in the conditions and are setting themselves up nicely for the assessment at the end of the module.

Hen's take on a Team Challenge in Simonsbath, Exmoor

Today I was working for Exmoor Adventures, the first time this year. I travelled over to Simonsbath on Exmoor to meet Tom to set up a multi activity team challenge for 14 ladies on a hen party.

The ladies took part in Archery, Orienteering, Spiders Web, River Crossing Task and other problem solving tasks in order to gain points. The winning team were awarded a bottle of prosecco.

The ladies all enjoyed the tasks despite the mixed weather. 

Thanks to Louise from Simonsbath House Activity Centre for letting us use the Archery range.

The Telegraph Outdoor Show and the London Bike Show

"Ivor, Sampling the 'non-alcoholic' isotonic beer"

Yesterday I took a group of students to the Excel in London for the Telegraph Outdoor Show and the London Bike Show. We managed to get free entry and funding to cover the travel costs meaning we could take the students to experience this event for free.

The event is a really good opportunity for the students to talk to potential future employers, national governing bodies, other colleges and equipment suppliers.

There were also lots of opportunities to pick up free samples of items such as energy bars, magazines, posters, stickers and equipment. The highlight for most students was the Erdinger stand where they were giving away their new concept. A 'non-alcoholic' isotonic beer for post exercise. 

It will be interesting to catch up with the students after half-term to have a debrief to find out their thoughts and ideas for their future following the show.  

A Soggy day on the Quantock Hills

It was a very wet and soggy day on the Quantock Hills today with the 'A' group of Level 3 Public Services students from Bridgwater College. However, it was a lot of fun and the students enjoyed the experience. The pictures are a little blurry because it was hard to keep moisture off of the lens.

We covered around 8 miles starting from Dead Woman's Ditch and going via Crowcombe Park Gate, Triscombe Stone and Ramscombe before heading back to the bus. 

The aim of todays ride was to look at different types of terrain and group management in preparation for their assessed ride in April. The day finished by thoroughly cleaning and lubricating the bikes at the Cannington centre before returning back to the college main site.

More Navigation Training on the Quantock Hills

 

 

 

 

 

Back out in the beautiful Quantock Hills AONB today with the other half of the Level 3 Outdoor Adventure students from Bridgwater College.

 

No snow on the ground this week but the morning did start with heavy fog and a very chilly northerly wind. The route took in open moorland, wooded valleys and managed forest over the 12km distance.

 

We spent the day going through some basic navigation techniques: Collecting and Catching Features, relating map to ground, contour lines, timing, pacing and grid bearings. As a group we also discussed the environmental impact of outdoor activities on the area and looked at some of the flora including Lichen such as Devil's Matchsticks and Pixie Cups. 

A really good day with the students being challenged both individually and in pairs. We even found time to shelter from the wind in the natural undulating terrain.

Kayaking on the River Dart - Loop Section

Today I have been out on the 'Loop' section of the River Dart in Devon. The levels were pretty low but it was still good to get out and help coach on the Cuckmere Valley Canoe Club trip.

Mick and I drove down from Taunton to meet up with Steve, Andy and Dean from Cuckmere Valley who were doen staying on Dartmoor for the weekend. 

We looked at breaking in and out, ferry gliding, 'S' turns and river reading. Mick found some good jets for a spot of tail squirting as you can see in the images. Overall a really good day and great to be back out on the white water.

Biking on the Quantock Hills for the third time this week - 'Love my Job'!

The last day of a very practical week working for Bridgwater College saw me out with the final group of the Level 3 Public services students for their introduction to Mountain Biking.

Due to the very frosty morning and icy country roads we decided to start from Holford today meaning the students had to take on a classic Quantocks climb to get up onto the northern commons. 

Todays group consisted of 7 students who had previous experience and a better level of fitness so we managed a much longer ride taking in some singletrack, open moorland tracks, rocky descents and technical climbs.

It was a beautiful blue sky day but with a piercing 10-15mph northerly wind. 

All the students performed really well and showed a promising skill level from the outset.