Tour Code: MBC1 - Adventure Dossier - Introduction to Trail Riding - 2 Days

This adventure dossier is intended to give you all the information you require for planning your adventure with Macs Adventure. Don't hesitate to contact us if you have any further queries.

Introduction to Trail Riding - 2 Days

AIM: To give you, the novice mountain biker, all the skills necessary to ride moderate mountain bike trails competently, confidently, safely and with a huge grin.

Venue: Glentress, Peebles (Scottish Borders)
Duration: Two days and one night.
Meeting Point: Glentress Forest, Peebles at 10:00 on first day.(Map)
Grade: Introductory – no off-road experience required.
Fitness: You should try and get at much riding (or other aerobic excercise) in prior to the course as the fitter you are the more you will enjoy the course. At least two 30 minute sessions per week plus longer sessions on the weekends would be ideal.

Equipment required:
• Mountain bike (a good quality, well maintained mountain bike with front or full suspension)
• Helmet
• Cycling clothes
• Waterproof jacket
• Warm clothes
• Comfortable clothes for evening.
• We will supply you with a full equipment list on booking.
• Note: Mountain Bike Hire (including helmet) is available at £36 for the weekend.

Accommodation: Carefully selected B&B or Guesthouse accommodation. This is on a twin share basis with another participant of the same sex. Single rooms are available (supplement payable) and if you your partner/family would like to join you for the weekend we can also organize accommodation. (also available excluding accommodation)
Availability: Selected dates throughout the year.

Highlights: Riding the best trails in Britain, gaining confidence, learning new skills, expert instructors, friendly atmosphere, great fun, small groups, beer.

Cost: £115 per person excluding accommodation. (Accommodation £35pppn)
Included: Two days mountain biking instruction, one nights accommodation including breakfast.
Excluded: Travel insurance, travel to/from the venue, snacks, drinks, equipment, lunches, evening meal.

Course Outline:

We have put a great deal of effort and six years of teaching in outdoor pursuits into developing our introductory course. The course is hands on and we use a combination of short theory sessions, practical exercises, and riding of selected sections of trail to reinforce everything we teach. In our experience this is a lot of fun and delivers great results.

What follows is a brief outline of what to expect over the two day course. Some areas may be covered formally while others might be done informally over a coffee or snack. Every group is different and we will tailor the program slightly to meet individual needs. What is guaranteed is that the two days will be crammed full of useful hints, tips and good laughs.

Day 1
• 10:00 - Introduction and safety brief
• Bike set up and riding position
• Basic skills – balance, braking, climbing, descending, cornering.
• Skills loop, some sections of the blue and freeride trails to finish morning.
• Lunch at the skills loop (please bring a packed lunch)
• More skills – difficult climbs, small drop-offs, dealing with obstacles and rock gardens.
• Skills in action – finish afternoon session by riding selected sections of Blue route.
• 16:00 – Finish for the day and pack up.
Day 2
• 10:00 – Meet at Glentress
• Obstacles – roots, rocks, drop-offs.
• Implementation – coaching on the Blue Route
• Lunch
• Descending and cornering – building confidence
• Coaching on some sections of the Red Route.
• 15:30 – Pack up and recap of the course
• 16:00 – Head home.

Other topics that will be covered during the two days include basic map reading and navigation, safety equipment, gear advice, resources, progression (where to next?).

Not only will you enjoy a fantastic weekend of mountain biking, in a world class venue, with a group of like-minded people but the course will also equip you with the skills to enjoy a wide range of mountain biking adventures in the future.

We look forward to welcoming you to this outstanding course.

Groups: This course is also available to groups of 4 or more on any date during the year.
Age: The minimum age for this course is 16 and any participants under 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian who is also participating.

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