Mountain Bike Guiding on Exmoor

Today I was out on Exmoor guiding mountain biking for a group of six guys from the Clevedon area. Not knowing the area the group asked for a 20-25 mile route taking in some classic Exmoor trails.

Our day started and finished at Dunkery Gate. The route took in Dunkery Beacon twice, Webbers Post, Horner woods, Lucott Cross, Hawkcombe, Ley hill and Dunster Path. 

It was a great day with dry trails, lovely weather and a nice breeze. The views were pretty good too. We even found time for a quick stop in a tea room in Horner for a brew and an ice cream.

Mountain Biking Assessments for Level 3 Outdoor Education Students

Today Hannah and I took the Level 3 Outdoor Education students for the mountain biking assessment of their skills for land-based activities module.

The students planned their route on the Quantock Hills, sorted their equipment and independently undertook the session with Hannah and I observing/assessing throughout the day.

The overnight rain made the previously dusty trails nice and grippy. The early morning cold wind gave way to a nice day with sunny spells. 

12.5 miles were covered by my half of the group stopping near 'Dead Woman's Ditch' for lunch and getting back to the minibus by 14.00. This gave enough time to return to Cannington Activity Centre to wash and lubricate the bikes before making our way back to Bridgwater College.

All the students performed really well showing the skills they have learned over the past year.  

Mountain Bike guiding on Exmoor

It was good to be back out on Exmoor on the bike today guiding for Exmoor Adventures. The group of ladies travelled down from Surrey to be shown what Exmoor has to offer for mountain bikers.

I met the group at Lynch House in Bossingnton where we started our ride. The 14.5 mile route took in Dunkery Beacon via Webbers Post and Dunkery Path before returning along Dicky's Path and Horner.

The slightly overcast and breezy day made cycling conditions good while retaining good visibility and therefore treating the ladies to some great views across the moor and Porlock Bay.

Quantocks mountain biking with Level 3 Outdoor Education students

After a week on Exmoor with Public services students it was nice to be back out with the Level 3 Outdoor Education students on the Quantock Hills today. 

There are 16 students in the group so I split them into two smaller group of 8 taking them for a 2.5 hour session each. One half of the group were covering basic maintenance and checks of mountain bikes and associated equipment while I was delivering practical skills to the rest.

During my session we went on a 6 mile ride from Crowcombe Park Gate to Beacon Hill and back looking at techniques for climbing, descending and flat ground. While at Beacon Hill we also covered manuals, track stands, rear wheel lifts and power assisted front wheel lifts. We then discussed and implemented these new skills on the ride back to Crowcombe Park gate.

Another glorious spring day on the Quantocks!

PES assessed expeditions - Final day

After another night in the Bell Tent I was back out mountain biking with the final group of Level 3 Public Services students for their assessment. We rode the same 10.5 mile route as yesterday and monday with the weather remaining excellent. All the students did really well negotiating the technical terrain, road sections and some ascents. 

PES assessed expeditions - mountain biking day 2

Yesterday was the midweek turn around of groups. Level 2's and the Level 3 'C group took the short walk to Bossington from the campsite before returning back to college. We then collected the Level 3 'A' and 'B' groups for their 2.5 day expedition starting with a short walk from Bossington to Pool Bridge camp site. 

Today, I was out with the 'A' group for their assessed mountain bike ride. Hannah and I observed the groups skills on a 10.5 mile ride starting near the top of Dunkery Beacon and making their way back to Camp via Porlock post, Webbers Post and Horner. 

The group showed great team cohesion throughout the day welcoming another student to their team who couldn't make the early part of the week with her tutor group. This continued back at camp while finding large logs to use as benches to go around their camp fire.

PES assessed expeditions begin

Today is the start of a week working for Bridgwater College on the assessed expeditions for the Level 2 and 3 Public Services students.

We travelled with the Level 2 students and one of the level 3 tutor groups to Exmoor today. The Level 2's taking part in an accompanied hillwalking day while I took the Level 3 group mountain biking.

My group started near the top of Dunkery Beacon taking in a 10.5 mile route back to Pool Bridge Campsite. 

With the rest of the day the students set up camp and started their camp fires. Gail managed to persuade the campsite owner to let us use the bell tent for staff so Max got the log burner going. 

Biking with Beth and Sion at Cannop Cycle Centre - Day 2

Back out at Cannop Cycle Centre today with Beth and Sion. Having not been on a bike for a number of years caused Sion a few issues so he decided not to participate today which left Beth to have my full attention and some 1:1 coaching.

We started the day by riding the full blue Verderers trail which Beth really enjoyed. This trail gave us the opportunity to look at riding bermed corners, climbing techniques, descending techniques and riding on sustained single-track.

Over lunch we had a session on basic maintenance covering fixing punctures, putting chains back on and splitting chains. Sion was able to take part in this session.

After lunch Beth and I rode the Red graded Freeminers trails which gave her the opportunity to ride on more technical terrain. The main focus of this session was looking at line choice and momentum. Beth took on rock gardens, rooted sections of trail, boardwalks, tight single-track and small drop-offs.

We were a little dissapointed to find a punctured tube left tied to a tree on the trail side. This gave us an opportunity to discuss appropriate use of outdoor spaces and the impact human activity has. Just because its a man made trail centre shouldn't mean someone will come along behind you and clear up your mess. 

A great weekend spent out on the bike. 

Biking with Beth and Sion at Cannop Cycle Centre - Day 1

Today I have been working for Wet and High Adventures on the first of two day introduction to mountain biking course for Beth and Sion.

We met at the Cannop Cycle Centre in the Forest of Dean. I chose this venue for the range of trails to introduce various skills.

During the day we cycled the Green family trail taking in the short blue graded sections for added skill development, the two short blue graded training trails and some of the Blue graded Verderers Trail using the short cut back to the centre.

Its been a while since Beth and Sion have been on a bike so it took a short while for them to regain their confidence. 

We covered:

Pre ride checks

Correct bike fitment

Appropriate PPE and its use

Body position (uphill, downhill and flat ground)

Dynamic weight shift

Gear selection

Effective braking

Trail centre use and etiquette

A really good day in the sunshine. The plan for tomorrow is to stay at Cannop and ride the full blue graded Verderers trail and the red graded Freeminers trail.