20th March 2011 beginners course

Christine is local but has only been riding a short while. Her keen approach, persistance and hunger to get it just right meant that by the end of the day we had gone beyond the standard beginners syllabus and done some basic jumping and pumping too. We also added safe 'falling off Northshore' techniques. She finished with the first clean descent of the year of the hard finish. So well done Christine. Shame my photos are rubbish - but it was a dull, slow shutter day, and she was going pretty quick!
Just got a mail back too

"Hi Steve,
 Thank you for today and for sending through those photos - Is that
really me?! My kids will think there has been some clever photo
editing! I really enjoyed the day and feel I got loads out of it. I can't wait
to get practising some more descents and little jumps, and just hope I
can remember all the tips and advice you gave.
 Hopefully in the not-too- distant future I'll be able to book an
'intermediate' day with you!
 Many thanks again,
Christine"

18th March 2011

So what do we do when not running courses?  Answer head somewhere else (to keep it fresh) and find the hardest stuff we can. In the new "The Good Mountain Biking Guide" (see http://www.blackshawoutdoor.co.uk/goodmtbguide.html for more details - I have copies for sale on courses!) there is a label on a map of Ingleborough in the Dales that says "Unrideable section". well it isn't, though it does take a considerable amount of sessioning to get it. The picture below is of the lower part of it which is more photogenic. You can't beat riding in different areas to broaden your experience and skills.

March 6th Beginner Course

So spring is finally upon us (well it was for a couple of days at least). Gail took on the beginners course.  I'll leave it to her thank you card and the photos to sum up the day.
Hi Stephen,
Just to say thanks for a brilliant day out. Before the course I wasn't really sure what to expect, but it exceeded any expectations that I had. I feel that I learned so much, at a level that suited me, and at a pace which suited too. Above all it was a really fun day out and has definitely given me the confidence to get off road much more often now. Thanks for all your positive comments and it is great to have the pics as a reminder of the day. Will definitely recommend you to others!
Take care
Gail

As Gail soaked up new stuff so well we did a few sections that wouldn't be out of place at the start of an intermediate course including the intermediate option finish (above right). Cruisin!

Email from Craig after the early Feb Intermediate Course

Good afternoon Steve, 

I finally managed to get out on the bike again last Saturday.  I did a route in the Peak District that took in some pretty tricky descents with lots of big (ish) rocks and a few drops etc.  One section was almost a mile long of this sort of terrain.  I lowered my seat and set off.  I cleared it all in one go.  I know I would not have managed this prior to the course.  My confidence was a lot higher tackling this sort of stuff, which to be fair is about the limit of what I want to do anyway.

One of the lads I was with picked his way down and was regularly pitched forward – he didn’t want any of my advice.  Another lad said I looked 10 times more confident than the last time he had seen me.

So, overall I’d have to say the course was a huge success.

Cheers

Craig