FAQs
1. Are you a qualified mountain bike instructor and first aider?
Yes, I am a PMBIA Level 2 instructor and a current Advanced Wilderness First Aider.
Yes, I am a PMBIA Level 2 instructor and a current Advanced Wilderness First Aider.
2. Do I need to sign a waiver and a medical consent form to participate in a lesson?
Yes, it must be completed before the lesson takes place, I will email you a copy to sign and you can bring it with you to the lesson. My insurance requires that you complete both forms.
Yes, it must be completed before the lesson takes place, I will email you a copy to sign and you can bring it with you to the lesson. My insurance requires that you complete both forms.
3. Any age restrictions?
Kind of. Anyone under 16 must be accompanied by their parent/guardian. That means the parent/guardian must be part of any lesson. It's an insurance thing. There is no upper limit though, this sport is open to every age group.
Kind of. Anyone under 16 must be accompanied by their parent/guardian. That means the parent/guardian must be part of any lesson. It's an insurance thing. There is no upper limit though, this sport is open to every age group.
4. Do I need a mountain bike in safe working order?
Yes, and I will check your bike before the lesson to ensure that it is good to go. While I'm not a shop mechanic, I can perform minor fixes and sizing adjustments on your bike. I recommend that you take your bike to the shop if it's been awhile since you've ridden and give it a test ride before coming to the lesson.
Yes, and I will check your bike before the lesson to ensure that it is good to go. While I'm not a shop mechanic, I can perform minor fixes and sizing adjustments on your bike. I recommend that you take your bike to the shop if it's been awhile since you've ridden and give it a test ride before coming to the lesson.
5. What other gear should I bring?
A helmet is mandatory and I recommend protective eyewear, knee pads and gloves. I also recommend bringing a small pack with water, snacks, your usual bike tools, an extra layer, a light jacket (depending on the weather) and your phone.
A helmet is mandatory and I recommend protective eyewear, knee pads and gloves. I also recommend bringing a small pack with water, snacks, your usual bike tools, an extra layer, a light jacket (depending on the weather) and your phone.
6. What about weather-related cancellations?
Teaching is a fair weather event; therefore we'll keep an eye on the weather before the lesson. If there is a risk of thunderstorm, hurricane, wildfire, apocalypse etc., then we will cancel or postpone at my discretion.
Teaching is a fair weather event; therefore we'll keep an eye on the weather before the lesson. If there is a risk of thunderstorm, hurricane, wildfire, apocalypse etc., then we will cancel or postpone at my discretion.
7. What is your cancellation/refund policy?
We're reasonable, cancel up to 72 hours out you can receive a full refund. Cancel up 48 hours you will receive 50% refund and within 24 hours no refunds are given.
We're reasonable, cancel up to 72 hours out you can receive a full refund. Cancel up 48 hours you will receive 50% refund and within 24 hours no refunds are given.
8. Do you teach anywhere else?
For 2025 I will be teaching in the mid-island corridor (Duncan to Parksville).
For 2025 I will be teaching in the mid-island corridor (Duncan to Parksville).
9. Is mountain biking dangerous?
It can be, but other sports can be dangerous too if risk is not appropriately managed. The only way to ensure that anyone will be 100% safe from mountain biking is if they do not participate in the sport . We believe that through a process of developing consistent, comfortable and correct fundamental skills on easier terrain and only venturing onto trails or features of increasing difficulty at the appropriate time can we achieve good risk management and minimize the opportunities for ending up in the rhubarb.
It can be, but other sports can be dangerous too if risk is not appropriately managed. The only way to ensure that anyone will be 100% safe from mountain biking is if they do not participate in the sport . We believe that through a process of developing consistent, comfortable and correct fundamental skills on easier terrain and only venturing onto trails or features of increasing difficulty at the appropriate time can we achieve good risk management and minimize the opportunities for ending up in the rhubarb.