AIM Member Wye MTB specialise in guided rides across South Wales, Mountain Bike Coaching and Leadership courses. We are very fortunate to have such experience amongst our Membership. WyeMTB is an accredited centre through British Cycling which allows them 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.
What impact, if any, do you think having Mountain Biking in the Olympic Games has on your business, attendee numbers and interest from the public or schools?
The Olympics will have an impact on the business, millions of people being able to view our great sport from the comfort of their living rooms, tablets and phone will be amazing.
We are sure the coverage will include both Male and Females races, which will show the sport in a great light.
We have setup a ‘summer of Cycling’ where we are offering taster sessions for people to come and have a go. We are a British Cycling accredited centre and hoping to link with a few British Cycling event too.
Have there been any changes to the type of person trying your activities for the first time?
We are seeing more and more young people taking part in the sport which is great. Our Little fodders Kids club runs termly and has 70+ kids which attended structured coaching sessions every Saturday. We are celebrating 10 years of the club this summer.
The increase in Females riders is also evident around the Forest. We have introduced this year Female only coaching sessions, 1:1 Sessions with Females coaching and guided Rides. We have also made a read effort to leave our basic ‘Finding your Feet – Introduction to Off Road Riding’ as cost effective as possible. Our hope is to intise people into the sport, But without the barrier of expensive costs
Who should we look out for ? Which team or individual do you think may win medals at the Paris Olympics?
We are hoping to see 2 medals this year, both in the Cross Country XC: Tom Pidcock, Currently XC World Champion, Won Gold at the last games, but has had a focused on Road riding, he is just about to start the Tour De France with Iniso Grinders, Finish that race, have 6 days rest and take part in the Olympics.
Evie Richards – Local lady, who trains in the Forest of Dean. She is currently part taking in the World Cross Country Series, doing well, but could be a contender for a medical
What’s new with you? Are you holding any events at in relation to the Olympics ?
We have a Summer of Cycling planned with special focus in the Youth riders. We have a progressive kids coaching program which runs form a Monday – Friday. Sessions range from Beginners to off road riders, up to youth riders taking part in National Events such as the National Cross Country Series, National Enduro Series and the British Downhill Series.
This year we are also celebrating our Little fodders 10 year Birthday. Our Little Fodders is a British Cycling Go Ride club with over 70 regular riders. We run sessions ever Saturday with kids ranging from 5 year Old up to 14 year olds. The club was the 1st of its kind in the UK.
The new British Cycling coaching award is being rolled out. W have been working in the Intro2Coach award, the 1st steps to becoming a Mountain Bike Coach. But this summer David Windebank will run the 1st / Pilot of the new Coaching in Context – Which will focus on Cross Country. The hope is to get more coaches trained and assessed so they can deliver more structured sessions.
Author Name: David Windebank – British Cycling Educational Tutor
Wye MTB