Question 1

Tell me more about your qualifications.

Accepted Answer

Level 3 British Cycling Mountain Bike Leader

British Cycling's top level leadership award. This award permits leaders to operate in remote trails of severe technical difficulty in challenging mountain conditions - defined as terrain which is more than 30 minutes walk from where a road going ambulance can get to. Think about how far your local trails are from the nearest road. There's a good chance it falls into the Level 3 definition.

What makes a Level 3 leader outstanding is their extensive knowledge and experience of operating in demaning environments as well as their thorough planning, robust emergency preparedness and ability to make every single ride memorable for all the right reasons.

British Cycling MTB Night Leader

A bolt on module extending the leader's remit to include riding after dark. There aren't many BC qualified Night Leaders around as the additional skills and experience required don't come easily.

Go MTB Level 5 Instructor

Created by Cycling Scotland and delivered by qualified providers, Go MTB is a progressive training scheme which covers all aspects of mountain biking, from riding skills to navigation and first aid. HBA is qualified to deliver the full syllabus.

Velotech Cycling Ltd Gold Mechanic
 
The industry standard certificate for mechanics working in the best bike shops. Having such a deep understanding of how bikes work allows mountain bike leaders and instructors to go well beyond their core trailside repair skills. We'll also be able to spot emerging issues before they cause problems out on the trail.
 
Bikeability Instructor
 
The modern day cycling proficiency. HBA can deliver on and off road Bikeability training to ensure safe and confident riding on roads. 
 
Cycle Trainer

Cycling Scotland's adult cycle training scheme. It covers everything from learning to ride for the first time, to riding safely in busy road environments.

Outdoor First Aid
 
All mountain bike leaders require completion of this 2-day course which must be renewed at least every 3 years. The outdoor specific course expands on the standard first aid course to cover the equipment and skills needed to manage a casualty in remote environments.
 
Also...
Educare’s Child Protection Awareness in Sport and Active Leisure
PVG Scheme Member

Liability and professional indemnity insurance policies are held.

Question 2

What sort of safety kit do you carry on a ride?

Accepted Answer

The safety kit carried will vary depending on the activity, group, weather and venue.

As a minimum there will be:

Extensive custom first aid kit, in good condition and within expiry dates, suitable to treat the typical injuries sustained when mountain biking. Contents include dressings, antiseptic wipes, haeomstatic agents, SAM splint, eye wash pods, simple plasters and so much more.
Blizzard Survival Bag
Additional warm clothing
Group shelter big enough for the entire group
Snacks & water
Two mobile phones
Emergency contacts and information on group participants

Ultimately, the most effective piece of safety kit is excellent ride management. And that can't be bought in a shop and put in a rucksack!

Question 3

Why such a small group size?

Accepted Answer

Whilst permitted to take 8 riders, the group size is generally set at 4 riders.

This allows better group management and, ultimately, a higher standard of safety.

By having a small group, each rider also gets more individual observation and feedback. It also means we get to ride more - the bigger the group, the longer it takes to session a feature or even ride an entire trail. That means less hanging around and more riding!

Question 4

Do your activities require an Adventure Activty Licence?

Accepted Answer

Mountain biking in certain, specific environments does require a provider to hold an Adventure Activity Licence. All HBA activities are structured so that a licence is not required and we remain within non-licensable terrain. For that reason, HBA does not hold a licence. That doesn't mean HBA activities aren't fun, adventurous or run to the highest of standards. Simply, there would be practically no benefit to holding a licence, especially given the high cost of obtaining one.
If you see a provider operating in licensable terrain, you should query their licence status with the Adventure Activity Licence Authority as it is a legal requirement to hold a licence for such activities.

Question 5

Will a ride be cancelled because of the weather?

Accepted Answer

Only when the weather poses a significant risk. You'll be given as much notice as possible. 
 
Don't be shy to bring a load of spare clothing. Changing facilities are normally available; being in wet clothing for hours can get miserable and potentially even dangerous. Additionally, having extra layers to put on during breaks/lunch is essential in all but summer conditions.

Question 6

Can I see your risk assessments or policies?

Accepted Answer

Of course you can, and I'm glad you asked. As they are constantly being updated, simply get in touch and I'll get the documents to you as soon as possible. Be aware that the school holidays get extremely busy and it may be several days before I can get back to you.

There are 4 types of risk assessment (RA):
A General Cycling RA covering a very broad level of the types of hazards you might encounter when cycling. This one doesn't change all that much but is regularly reviewed.
Site Specific RAs are tailored to each location and each individual trail at a location. These lengthy documents are constantly being updated as trails change over time. Only by having an extensive knowledge of the area can these documents be produced.
On The Day RAs take into consideration aspects such as the group, weather and current trail conditions. These RAs are really important for making the right decisions on the day. If you see me using my phone at the start of a session, it'll be exactly this that I'll be finalising.
Dynamic RAs are essentially the thoughts in my head and, as such, aren't routinely recorded. It includes things such as monitoring the group's energy, incoming weather and planning the rest of the ride around my observations.