All Aboard!

We can cater for up to 16 students of all abilities and experience levels in our mobile bike school, offering a mixture of classroom-based learning and hands-on practical learning. Ideal for schools and clubs alike, the courses provide valuable insight into the world of bikes beyond simply riding.

What is MTB?

A comprehensive introduction to mountain biking for young riders and beginners. We take a look at the history of mountain biking and the evolution of the sport, both competitively and recreationally.

This is a complete course aimed at introducing all of the elements that make a safe and confident mountain biker, such as:

• Basic navigation skills
• Introduction to core skills
• Bike maintenance
• First Aid
• Introduction to competition

What does MTB stand for? Why is it so different from cycling on the road? Do I really need all that expensive kit? All your questions will be answered and more with a brief summary of each of the following main topics condensed into one introductory presentation.

Cycle Safety

There has never been a better time to start cycling – commuting to school or work brings many benefits to both the individual and the environment.

However, it can be a hazardous activity in a potentially difficult environment and therefore safety on the road is a priority. Our cycling safety courses develop knowledge and confidence for safe cycling and include:

• Equipment used to enhance safety
• Positioning on the road
• Riding assertively and communicating effectively
• Understanding road signs, traffic lights and road markings
• Navigate junctions and roundabouts while cycling
• Effective route planning

Once a base of knowledge and experience is obtained road safety and awareness become second nature, taking the perceived fear away from cycling on the road.

Navigation

When we’re outdoors we usually want to go somewhere; to conquer the journey and relish the adventure. But, where are we going? How do we get there? how do we get back?! These are all very important questions and without navigation skills, you will find it rather difficult if not impossible to achieve your goal. Therefore, our navigation syllabus incorporates:

• Navigation tools (maps/compass)
• Understand topography and scales
• Identifying your current location
• Why grid references are important
• Calling for help in an emergency

Navigation is at the core of all outdoor activities, and while it’s obviously very relevant to mountain biking, it is also very useful for taking part in solo activities like summiting a Munro or completing the Duke of Edinburgh award.

Bike Mechanics

We offer tailor-made bike mechanic courses to suit the needs of your group. Bicycle mechanics is useful to everyone who rides a bike – having mechanical knowledge and skills can prevent disaster while out on a ride and also save on maintenance costs. Our mobile bike school courses cover a variable number of topics, such as:

• Safety checks
• Trailside repairs
• Truing gears
• Truing wheels
• Full service
• Fitting new parts

Bike mechanic courses are aimed at giving students confidence in carrying out both trailside repairs and general maintenance at home, with a mix of demonstrations in the education station and outdoor hands-on practical exercises.

First Aid

All of our instructor and coaches are experts in the field of first aid, and believe that everyone participating in outdoor activities should have a basic understanding of first aid, and how the practicalities change while in an outdoor environment. Our first aid courses include:

• Assessing casualties and managing an incident
• Risk assessment in an emergency situation
• Calling for help in an outdoor setting
• Maintaining good hygiene throughout first aid situations
• Life-saving practices such as CPR and defibrillation
• Understand the impact of concussion and how to manage it
• Application of dressings, bandages and slings

Even the most basic first aid skills go a long way in an outdoor emergency situation but is an important skill to have in everyday life, which can lead to potentially saving lives in the future.

Race Prep

Is your club looking to inspire and educate members, introducing them to racecraft? Our racing syllabus can be customised to suit the needs of your club, from an introduction to racing to discipline-specific racing theory, including topics such as:

• Racing psychology
• Line choice
• Balancing risk and reward
• Racing Tactics
• Equipment
• Nutrition

Focusing on key racing skills can elevate overall rider and club performance whether it be XC or DH racing, as the fundamental strategy will always remain the same.

Suspension Setup

Does your mind go blank when you start to look at all of the shiny dials on your forks and shock? Our suspension setup course takes all of the guesswork out of pulling the most performance out of your suspension. This course is mostly aimed at adults, but race orientated kids can benefit from learning how to understand and set up their bike. Some of the topics we cover in our suspension setup course are:

• How it works – Learn the key internals of your suspension
• Basic setup procedure (Sag, Rebound and Compression)
• Damping not Dampening
• Rebound or compression
• Introduction to suspension curves – progressive vs regressive
• Suspension troubleshooting – How to go from feeling to adjustment

For more information, check out our suspension setup course.

Example Packages

Our mobile bike school courses are designed to be flexible and adaptable so that we can tailor our offering to best suit your requirements.

There are many possible configurations, but here are a few that cover a spectrum of options:

Intro to MTB

A practical introduction to mountain biking on our mobile bike school for all ages and abilities, for groups of up to 8 or 16 people.

Duration: 1 day (6h)
Recommended Age: 5+
Typical participants: Young riders looking to develop their riding through a deeper knowledge of the bike, body and environment – OR – beginner riders of any age!
Minimum Requirements: Willingness to learn and enthusiasm.
Intended Outcome: Young shredders will develop into more prepared, disciplined and conscientious mountain bikers.

Typical Schedule

09:30 – Introduction – What is MTB?
10:30 – A wheelie short break
10:45 – Presentation – Core Skills Theory
11:30 – Flat-land core skills coaching
12:30 – LUNCH
13:00 – Inspirational videos and chat
13:30 – Riding with coaching and games
14:15 – Optional snack/drink break
15:00 – Summary & Finish

Brain Box

A day full of education alone, with no practical exercise or coaching – useful for those short of time who are already familiar with the core skills of riding.

The group can choose from our range of course subjects and combine them to best fit their objectives.

Duration: 1 day (6h)
Recommended Age: 10+
Typical participants: Young riders looking to develop their riding through a deeper knowledge of the bike, body and environment.
Minimum Requirements: Willingness to learn and enthusiasm.
Intended Outcome: Young shredders will develop into more prepared, disciplined and conscientious mountain bikers.

Typical Schedule

09:30 – Introduction and morning presentation.
11:00 – A wheelie short break.
11:15 – Presentation with Q&A and exercises.
12:30 – LUNCH
13:00 – Second presentation of the day.
14:00 – A wheelie short break.
15:00 – Summary & Finish.

Developing MTB

A three-day course that aims to provide young and/or new riders to pursue their riding goals.  Up to 8/16 people.

Half-day each morning learning in the bus followed by a practical application and riding in the afternoon, with a typical schedule:

• Day 1 – First Aid & Nutrition
• Day 2 – Navigation
• Day 3 – Trailside Mechanics & Bike Setup

Daily Schedule

09:00-12:00 – Class time (with a short break in the middle for skids & wheelies)
12:00-13:00 – Lunch
13:00- 16:00 – Shred Session

Recommended Age: 10+
Typical participants: Young riders looking to develop their riding through a deeper knowledge of the bike, body and environment.
Minimum Requirements: Willingness to learn and enthusiasm.
Intended Outcome: Young shredders will develop into more prepared, disciplined and conscientious mountain bikers.

Full-on MTB

An all-encompassing five-day course that will help to take existing riders to the next level.  Up to 8/16 people.

Half-day each morning learning in the bus followed by a practical application and riding in the afternoon, with a typical schedule:

• Monday – First Aid & Nutrition
• Tuesday – Navigation
• Wednesday – Trailside Mechanics & Bike Setup
• Thursday – Race Prep
• Friday – Adventure Race Day

Daily Schedule

09:00-12:00 – Class time (with a short break in the middle for skids & wheelies)
12:00-13:00 – Lunch
13:00- 16:00 – Shred Session

Recommended Age: 10+
Typical participants: Young riders looking to develop their riding through a deeper knowledge of the bike, body and environment.
Minimum Requirements: Willingness to learn and enthusiasm.
Intended Outcome: Young shredders will develop into more prepared, disciplined and conscientious mountain bikers.

Bike Hire Available

We have a range of mountain bikes available to hire on request.

Performance Stats

The Education Station is a multi-functional vehicle and has a lot to offer! We also call it the ‘Vacation Station’ when we are on our residential trips!

• Top Speed: 65mph (Limited)
• Engine: 2.5TD
• Drivetrain: 6 Speed Automatic
• Weight: 2780kg + cargo
• Max Passengers: 8
• Max Students: 16
• Cinema Screens: 1
• Max Coaches in Hammocks: 4
• LOL Factor: 42
• Stoke Level: Off the chart