MTB Coaching Course - Introduction to natural trails

Coaching Course Description - Introduction to natural trails, Sunday 29th April 2018

We are delighted to be able to offer coaching courses and private sessions on the Graythwaite Estate, the venue of the PMBA Enduro Series and 2017 National Championships, on trails we have had a hand in building and maintaining.

Introduction
The course is aimed at riders who have perhaps raced a trail centre based enduro race (something like Gisburn) and have entered or are thinking of entering a race with more natural (muddy, rooty, rocky, steep & technical) terrain, such as the PMBA Enduro Series Graythwaite round on the 5th and 6th of April. The course will include morning, fireroad based sessions covering braking, pushing for grip and cornering technique before applying these techniques to a variety of trail features on two of the Graythwaite enduro trails; A Happy Ending and Gary the Polar Bear.

Course venue: Graythwaite, The Lake District

Aim of the course
By the end of the day riders will be able to complete a smooth, controlled run down a natural enduro trail, pacing themselves for the whole run and applying the techniques they have learned.

Entry requirements:
Riders should already be confident in using their brakes independently and riding confidently on a wide variety of trail centre terrain including black features. If you’re not sure, please contact us, we’ll be happy to advise you.

Specific kit for steep natural terrain:
Tyres - a soft compound, open treaded tyre, especially on the front will make the day much more enjoyable for you, increasing your confidence on steep, natural terrain. Something along the lines of a  Maxxis Shorty Max Terra / Schwalbe Dirty Dan Vert Star / Specialised Hillybilly Grid perhaps.
Mudhugger - very useful for keeping your vision clear when it’s even a little damp

Introductory offer: course fee £50 per person with £10 per person going to #rootingforcallum

For a preview of the sessions and the trails we will use, please check out our pinned ‘Coaching Day’ story on Instagram @sublimerides

We're having a great year here at Sublime Rides, we hope you are too! For regular updates follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.

If you fancy a bit of a discount off a guided ride or skills ride with us visit Bike Treks in Ambleside, MTB Monster in Preston or Leisure Lakes in Lancaster and pick up a £10 off card.

Grizedale 'Black Route'

Grizedale is a place which often comes up in conversation when I mention to people that I'm a mountain bike guide in the Lakes and it still surprises me that it is a place which can inspire mixed emotions. Some people love it, some hate it. I blame the Red Route.

Don't get me wrong, the North Face is a perfectly good trail centre route, I link sections of it into Grizedale rides on a regular basis, but it is not Grizedale. Grizedale is rocky, loose, natural and exciting! I love it, in-fact it is one of my favourite places to ride, anywhere. But if I came to Grizedale and just rode the red route, not knowing what lay just behind the trees... Well, I can understand those mixed feelings.

So, where would I go, what would I do, given a couple of hours for a ride in Grizedale. Well, it would have to be natural: Ancient bridleways criss-cross the forest and they deliver a delight of wet rock, single track fun and technical features. There is no grading here, you are on your toes, difficult sections come up fast, without warning. It's exciting, looking ahead, picking lines which change with every run or depending on the weather, a few are very tricky in the wet - be warned!

So this is 'my' black route around Grizedale. A mix of forest road and bridleway, it takes in three of the classic Grizedale Descents - Moor Lane, Breasty Haw and Visitor Centre - East. There is no way-marking, it requires navigation and self sufficiency, and a bit of technical skill, but if you make sure you are prepared - it will reward. Enjoy!

This route was mapped using Bike Hike you can create your own version there and then download it to your GPS device. Or go old school and buy a lovely crisp Ordnance Survey map at Grizedale Visitor Centre. Or if you're not sure, we can certainly recommend a good guide.

Don't forget Grizedale Mountain Bikes if you need any spares or kit.

Please take care when riding in the Forest, we share this awesome resource with others including walkers, horse riders and families. Respect the Forest Code, slow down for others and pass at walking pace.

There's plenty going on at Sublime Rides at the moment: we're currently booking up fast for the spring and summer 2015 and it's great see customers keen to come out with us again - as well as a few new people who have found us through recommendations, the website or social media.

You can find Sublime Rides on Facebook / Twitter or Instagram for regular news and photos.

We're also looking forward to a few Enduro races this year - we're involved in the build for the Grizedale round of the PMBA Enduro Series and have been getting our hands dirty over the last few weeks - it's looking like a loamy, technical treat! If you're thinking of some Enduro racing this year, why not book a day with us to hone your skills and get some hints and tips from Nick and Nige - both regular and successful racers.

Finally don't forget our 2015 Early Bird Discount - Book before the end of March 2015 and receive 10% off your guided ride or skills ride with Sublime Rides!

Terms and conditions for our Facebook competition:

- we will pick a winner after we reach 500 page likes.

- the winner will be chosen at random from people who have liked our facebook page, commented on the picture and shared the picture. Our decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

- we will share the name of the winner on our facebook page and contact the winner by facebook message.

- the prize is a full day of guided mountain biking (or a full day of skills training - or most likely the two combined) for the winner AND ONE FRIEND in the English Lake District. The day will start at 10am and finish at 4pm on a date during 2014 to be agreed with Sublime Rides (this will probably need to be outside of our peak season, i.e. Summer Hols, but we will try our best to make sure it suits the winner). We can be flexible with the location (as long as it's in the Lake District!) and we will tailor the day to suit the skills and fitness of the winner&friend - whether beginner or expert.

-Suitable mountain bikes must be provided by or hired by the winner&friend (we can suggest a places to hire suitable mountain bikes) and the winner&friend must abide by all the safety information which will be provided prior to the guided day by Sublime Rides (including what kit to bring and wear on the day, including helmet / gloves / suitable clothing / etc.). Failure to comply with this safety information or any further requests on the day will result in immediate cancellation of the day and withdrawal of the prize (we're not going to be unreasonable; but if, for instance, you refused to give us an emergency contact or wear a helmet, then we wouldn't be able to take you anywhere). 

- Under 18s must be accompanied on the ride by a parent or legal guardian (this can be in addition to a friend, but we can't take you on your own - sorry).

- The competition is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with facebook.

- Competition closes on the 1st May 2014, if we have not reached 500 page likes by this time then whether we choose a winner or not is at Sublime Rides discretion (if we've reached a decent number we probably will, but we're not promising).

I had a great time with Nick Holt at Gisburn last month, coaching a couple of skills taster courses for Gisburn Forest Bike Trails. We lucked out with the weather once again, it was a bit cold but not at all bad for November. We had two excellent groups of riders, all willing to listen and take on board the skills and techniques - resulting in some dramatic improvements in both sessions.

One of the best bits of doing this type of event is the feedback we get on the electronic forms afterwards, it really makes a difference and is especially good when we've donated our time to raise some funds for Gisburn MTB Trails. Here are a few snippets of the feedback received:

'The chaps from Sublime Rides were great. They obviously know their stuff and I would love the chance to go out for a day with them.' - Andrew.

'...basic skills such as manual lifts and pumps are fundamental to all aspects of mountain biking, once these are mastered the rest will come. Nick and Nige were informative and supportive.' - Deb.

'The coaches were very understanding and competent. They were especially accommodating towards my 10 year old son who accompanied me on the session, he really enjoyed the session and learnt a lot, as did I.' - Paul

Thank you to Dan from Gisburn Forest Bike Trails Volunteer Team for doing the organising and to the riders for their generous donations to the Trail Fund, we raised a total of £180 on the day.

Well, the clocks have changed and we're now heading into the winter season in the lakes. There's plenty of fun to be had in the damper conditions and it's a great time of year to get out with us on a skills course if this time of year, and wet root and rock, hold a sense of trepidation for you! Personally I'm looking forward to some beautiful rides out in the autumn colours over the next few weeks and then the beautiful, cold, clear days we will get as the temperature falls and the new year comes around! The Lakes at this time of year is a special and quieter place, if you fancy making the most of it, then give us a call!