Foresty Commission encourages kids to get on their bike at Whinlatter

       

Courses are graded and suitable for children aged 7 -17 years old, and will be delivered by some of the most experienced and enthusiastic coaches in the country.

Each course is limited to 6 places to make sure each young mountain biker is given as much help and training as needed.

The full day courses are aimed to give the relevant knowledge needed to mountain bike safely with confidence and control, including sections on braking, gear selection for climbing, weight shifting and core skills.

Paul Brown, Recreation Ranger for the Forestry Commission at Whinlatter, said:

“The Forestry Commission and Cyclewise is offering budding young mountain bike stars of the future the chance to learn all the core skills they need.

“Whinlatter is the perfect place to learn with its varied terrain and growing reputation as the region’s leading mountain biking venue.”

The Forestry Commission and Cyclewise are also looking for volunteers to help launch a new Academy at Whinlatter, which is hoped will develop into a hugely successful mountain biking youth club, and help to produce some home grown stars of the future.

Parents who volunteer to get involved with helping to launch the Academy are being offered free leadership training, skills coaching and mechanics courses, as well as free use of the coaching trails.

Anyone interested should email rich@cyclewisetraining.co.uk.

Rich Martin from Cyclewise, says:

"The new junior courses are designed to teach kids the correct techniques and encourage their enthusiasm for mountain biking.

“With these they can go about their mountain biking more freely, confidently and, most of all, safely.”

Mountain Training Course Details

Details of the new junior courses are as follows:

MTB Experience Levels 1 - 3

All courses from Levels 1-3 are principally the same course but delivered to each age groups ability level.

Including sections on:

1. Braking
2. Weight shift and understanding the cone of movement.
3. Steering using the body
4. Gear selections for climbing.
5. Vision
6. The Core skills of Track stands , Front & Rear wheel lifts.
7. Puncture repairs & Kit to carry.

On completion of either Level 1, 2 or 3 our Level 4 course will take the young rider to the next level.

MTB Experience Level 4 (Pump & Jump)

This 1 day course utilises all knowledge and techniques learnt on the previous course and expands on this to to cover Pumping the trail, Berms and Jumping with confidence and style. Using our own 'Cyclewise Coaching Trail' we guarantee a great days coaching using this unique first class facility.

Junior Mechs

This is a fantastic opportunity for both young & old(er) to learn all there is to know about basic bike maintenance and will show you just how easy it really is. For this one day course the adults pay but the child comes for free.

Each couple has use of a one bike stand and full mechanics tool kit. During the course you will learn all about bike checks, punctures, gear indexing, brake systems and broken chains…all the basic maintenance knowledge that will help keep you riding and smiling.

Whinlatter Forest Park is England’s only true mountain forest. Rising to 790 metres above sea level, it offers spectacular views of the Lake District and into Scotland.

More information about Whinlatter Forest Park and its cycling facilities can be found at www.forestry.gov.uk/northwestengland.

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