30th November 2010

Roger had never ridden in snow before but it didn't take long to get used to the modified style of riding required to keep generally upright. Sub zero snow has a surprising amount of grip.

30.10.10 Private guiding around Haworth

Another fantastic autumn day showing Paul, from Edinburgh, around Bronte Country on the great trails that encircle Haworth. 

24.10.2010 Bookings online

Until now I could only take bookings through http://www.blackshawoutdoor.co.uk/ but as of today I am fully active and bookable through http://www.mountainbikeskillscourses.co.uk/locationd.asp so full steam ahead. And wasn't today the best day to get out eh?

Individual Tuition 10.10.10

Maybe it was the special date but today felt more like July than October. What a perfect day to take Jo offroad for the first time,  she really took advantage and launched herself into everything new - and everything was new so thats a lot of launching.

Intermediate day, Monday 27th September

Sean used to ride a lot, but for the last few years the East Midlands had been his cycling area and he was feeling decidedly unchallenged! He brought his 10 year old Specialized up and had a great time, getting back all his old skills and developing some new ones, including a few "urban" techniques.  We swapped bikes for a while and now I reckon wider bars will be on his shopping list (as well as new brake pads).

Email from Jess, now back in Australia

I was thinking and talking about you just the other day; my boyfriend took me mountain biking at a great course just near dad's place. And he said I'd been taught really well because I knew all the basic stuff already- thanks to you. And what's more I didn't suck- he thought I was much better than he'd expected. Oh and I loved it. Now there is another big push for me to buy a bike. It's sort of the same fun as skiing but not cold or wet I reckon. So in short I think what you are doing with the biking is fabulous, very real!!!

Intermediate, also before the blog was set up

Tim is a pretty good rider but needed to gain some skills and confidence to get faster and airborne.  Lee quarry provided for some good one to one intensive training and the opportunity to repeat bitesize sections over and over, refining and building technique as he went getting faster with each run.  He also made short work of the steep rocky black descent after a bit of practice. All this on a day that went from tropical to arctic and back every 5 minutes.

Beginners, earlier this summer

Jess and Elle were from Australia, both really keen but absolute beginners, in fact Elle hadn't even ridden a bike for 5 years. Having got them sorted out with bikes, helmets etc we set out. They had a wonderful 'have a go' attitude and were soon tackling the ups and downs, improving their position, balance and confidence all the time.  They've decided that their first purchase on her return home will be decent mountain bikes.

Yey, setup complete

It's as the title says, I'm now a blogger. And here's a pretty picture just so I can make sure I'm doing the right thing. It's my hardtail enjoying the view above the top of the devils staircase in Glencoe.