Get Ready for Your Best Summer on the Bike Yet 🚵‍♂️☀️

Gets GO!

Summer is just around the corner, and whether you’re planning long evenings in the local woods, big mountain adventures in Wales, or a dream riding trip to the Alps, now is the perfect time to get your bike and body ready for an unforgettable season on two wheels.

At WyeMTB, we believe the best summers start with preparation. A little time spent now can mean more confidence, more comfort, and far more fun when the trails are dry and the days are long.

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1. Visit Your Local Bike Shop 🔧

Before the summer adventures begin, make sure your bike is ready for the miles ahead.

A visit to your local bike shop, fo us this is Pedal Synidate in the Forest of Dean for a professional service can completely transform the way your bike rides. Fresh brake pads, smooth gears, properly bled brakes, tightened bearings, and a drivetrain check can make the difference between an incredible day on the trail and a frustrating mechanical issue halfway through a ride.

A well-maintained bike doesn’t just perform better — it keeps you safer and allows you to focus on what really matters: enjoying the ride.

It’s also the perfect excuse to upgrade your riding kit ready for the season ahead. Protective equipment has improved massively over the years, and modern trail gear is lighter, more breathable, and far more comfortable than ever before.

A few of our favourite summer essentials include:

• Troy Lee Designs A3 Helmet
• Troy Lee Designs Knee Guards
• Troy Lee Designs Gloves

The right gear gives you the confidence to ride harder, explore further, and stay comfortable during those long summer days on the hill.

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2. Give Your Suspension Some Love 🛠️

If you’re looking to really freshen up your bike for summer, a fork and shock service can make an enormous difference.

Here in the Forest of Dean, we ride plenty of rough, technical terrain, and suspension works hard all year round. Over time, oils degrade, seals wear out, and performance slowly fades without many riders even noticing.

A properly serviced suspension fork and rear shock can completely transform your bike:

• Better grip
• More comfort
• Improved control
• Increased confidence on technical trails

We highly recommend the team at Sprung Suspension Workshop for keeping your bike performing at its absolute best.

Whether you’re riding local trail centres, natural mountain terrain, or planning a European riding trip, quality suspension setup is one of the biggest upgrades you can make.

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3. Invest in Your Skills 🚵‍♀️

We might be slightly biased on this one… but one of the best ways to prepare for summer riding is to spend time with a qualified local coach.

Mountain bike coaching isn’t just for beginners or elite racers. It’s about understanding how the bike works beneath you, developing confidence on technical terrain, and learning how to ride more efficiently.

Small changes in body position, braking technique, cornering, and trail awareness can completely transform your riding experience. Coaching helps riders:

• Ride smoother and safer
• Build confidence on technical terrain
• Improve efficiency and control
• Reduce fatigue on longer rides
• Tackle features they previously avoided
• Get more enjoyment from every ride

At WyeMTB our coaching pathway is designed to support riders at every stage of their mountain biking journey.

Based in the heart of the Forest of Dean, our sessions combine professional coaching, real trail riding, and a relaxed, supportive environment that helps riders progress with confidence.

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Finding Your Feet: Core Skills

Our coaching pathway starts with Finding Your Feet, a beginner-friendly session focused on the fundamentals of mountain biking.

This session introduces riders to:

• Body position on the bike
• Effective braking
• Gear use
• Weight shifting
• Understanding trail centre riding

Perfect for newer riders, returning riders, or anyone looking to build stronger foundations before progressing onto more technical terrain.

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FOD Flow: Intermediate MTB Coaching

Once riders are comfortable on blue graded trails, the next step is FOD Flow — our intermediate coaching session designed to help riders progress onto red graded terrain with more confidence and control.

This half-day session combines expert instruction, practical trail riding, and video analysis to help riders better understand their riding technique and trail interaction.

Skills covered include:

• Cornering and berms
• Weight shift techniques
• Effective braking
• Pumping the trail
• Small drops and trail features
• Line choice and trail awareness

The session is ideal for riders wanting to develop more flow and confidence on natural and trail centre terrain throughout the Forest of Dean.

📅 Next Course: Sunday 14th June

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FOD Flow Part 2: Advanced MTB Coaching

For riders looking to push their skills further, FOD Flow Part 2 develops advanced techniques needed for more technical downhill and enduro-style terrain.

Using the 1 and 2 dot downhill trails around Cannop Cycle Centre, riders work closely with a British Cycling-qualified coach to refine advanced riding skills through detailed coaching and real-time video feedback.

Advanced topics include:

• Pumping natural terrain
• Advanced cornering
• Advanced braking techniques
• Racing lines
• Advanced weight shifting
• Drop-offs above hub height
• Technical trail management

This session is ideal for riders preparing for bike park riding, alpine adventures, enduro racing, or simply wanting to ride faster and more confidently on technical terrain.

📅 Next Course: 5th June

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Small Groups, Big Progression

One of the biggest benefits of coaching at WyeMTB is the small group environment. Sessions are limited to a maximum of six riders, allowing for:

• Individual coaching feedback
• Real-time video analysis
• Personal progression goals
• More trail time with the coach

Our supportive coaching style focuses on progression without pressure, helping riders build confidence at their own pace while still being challenged in the right way.

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Off Road Leader Award 🚵‍♂️

For riders looking to move beyond coaching and into leading and guiding others, WyeMTB also delivers the British Cycling Off Road Leader Award.

Formerly known as the Fundamentals of Mountain Bike Leadership Award, this qualification prepares new leaders to safely guide groups in easy to moderate off-road environments, including woodland trails, gravel tracks, urban fringe routes, and blue trail centre terrain.

🔧 What You’ll Learn

• Route planning & ride preparation
• Basic trailside repairs
• Emergency procedures
• Leadership & group management skills

👥 Who’s It For?
Perfect for clubs, schools, activity centres, volunteers, and riders starting their MTB leadership journey.

🛠️ Requirements

• British Cycling online learning
• 2-day practical training course
• Off-road riding logbook
• 16hr Outdoor First Aid qualification
• British Cycling Safeguarding CPD (£19.99)

📅 Next Course: 1st – 2nd June
⚠️ Only 3 Spaces Left

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Ready for Summer?

The best riding season of the year is nearly here.

Get the bike serviced, refresh your suspension, invest in quality riding gear, and spend time building your skills. A little preparation now can lead to your biggest and best summer on the bike yet.

Whether you’re:

• Riding local woods
• Tackling red and black trails
• Heading to the Alps
• Planning bike park trips
• Or simply wanting more confidence on the bike

…developing your skills now will help you get far more from every single ride this summer.

If you’re looking to improve your riding, join a guided ride, or prepare for your next mountain bike adventure, check out what we offer at WyeMTB.

📧 Hello@WyeMTB.co.uk
📞 01600 228474

British Cycling Mountain Bike Leadership

Mountain Bike Leadership

Mountain bike leadership, National Governing bodies and insurance. What’s is all about?

WyeMTB is an accredited centre through British Cycling which allows us to deliver their Mountain Bike Leadership Awards. David Windebank better known as ‘Windy’ was one of the original BC leadership tutors moving from the Scottish Cycling Mountain Bike program when it was updated in 2011, since then he has gone to become a Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 tutor.

Last month saw Gareth Sheppard complete the tutor pathway under the watchful eyes of Rachael Crewsmith and Windy to become a Level 2 Mountain bike leadership tutor. Gareth brings a vast amount of experience to the WyeMTB team, leading the British Cycling Paralympic team to London 2012 and taking the Welsh team to the Commonwealth Games. One of the first level 3 guides back in 2013 the pathway for Gareth to becoming a tutor has been long but fulfilling journey!

What is the British Cycling Mountain Bike Leadership award Scheme?

British Cycling (BC) is the national governing body of cycling in the UK. Over the years, BC have been focused on road cycling, track cycling and cyclocross. In recent years their focus has moved to more recreational cycling like Mountain Biking and this is where the leadership scheme fits.

Membership and Registration, why so much?

To become a mountain bike leader, you will need to become a member of BC and register with the MTB leadership scheme. If this is the first time joining a national governing body this will feel like a lot of money, it is, but you get a lot for your money!

The majority of the payment goes to the leadership department to affiliate with their Leadership scheme, and you will be sent a great 200+ page handbook based on the level 2 Mountain Bike Leader Award.  The cost also includes the compulsory Level 2 Safeguard training course and finally, this is the best part; once you are qualified, BC will provide you with public liability insurance which can be used when leading guided rides…. Amazing!!!!

British Cycling Mountain Bike Leadership

The British Cycling Mountain Bike Leadership scheme is split into 3 levels

• Level 1: Currently a site-specific training course, used in conjunction with a British Cycling centre accreditation. There are some developments coming with this award, so watch this space!

 

• Level 2: The MOST popular level and the one that most people enrol as their first step to becoming a mountain bike leader. The award is split into 3 parts
  • Training: 2-day event where the BC tutor runs through a range of topics, for example, trail side repairs, navigation, leadership styles and a number of practical sessions
  • Consolidation: at the end of the training event your tutor will sit down and create a development plan specific to each candidate. This development plan will look at exactly what needs to be done before assessment.
  • Assessment: 1-day event, a BC tutor will run through the criteria provided by British Cycling. The development plans are designed to ensure the candidates are ready for their assessment. The key to this is that candidates can present themselves then they believe they are ready.

 

• Level 3: The top-level award and can only be reached if you have either completed the Level 2 award or hold an older MTB leadership award still recognised by BC e.g. MBLA. The award is split into the same three sections as the level 2 award, however the course is more intense and equips you with the tools to  lead sessions in wild and remote areas.

WyeMTB run all the above courses and dates for 2020 are live in our website. We run the course across South Wales and Cannock Chase. If you would like more information please drop us an email: Hello@WyeMTB.co.uk or call Windy on 07887998795 for more details.

The Group Shelter – Just as important as your First Aid Kit?

Two group shelters both fit 8 people….. which one will you always carry as a Mountain Bike Leader?

Working as a commercial mountain guide requires you to carry some essential equipment as we have a duty of care to our clients. Carrying a well equipped first aid kit as a Guide is obvious, but over recent times, opinions on the group shelter or KISO (Karrimor Instructor Survival Unit – who remembers them?) have been conflicted on whether they are needed or not.

Emergency group shelters should be carried, but who uses their emergency shelter for sheltering from the wind, having a cuppa during a ride, or even doing some trailside repairs?  The word emergency sounds a bit harsh and over egged, we prefer the title of group shelter, and we use ours on a daily basis.

Over the years, group shelters have become more common place in the mountain bike leadership world, with better manufacturing techniques, well designed fabrics,  and reasonable price levels have seen an increase and a change in views that a Mountain Bike Leader should be carrying a group shelter

In the Winter of 2018, WyeMTB were introduced to a Welsh company called ‘Summit Gear’, their Supalite Bothy bag, is a real game changer. Their group shelters have taken all the great elements of the original KISO shelter, but striped out all the non-essential parts, but has retained some key features, ripstop silicone fabric, double sewed material, vent and life time guarantee. The icing on the cake, the shelter weight 320gs and has an insane packdown size, which is around the size of your fist for a good size 6-8 person shelter. We have had 8 adults on ours on a regular basis!

Whatever your choice in group shelter, don’t just leave it collecting crumbs in the bottom of your rucksack, get it out and use it!