Go-Ride – kids mtb Coaching
our coaching programme
Summit MTB is aimed at giving young riders the skills, and friends, they need to enjoy riding off-road safely.
We take riders aged 6-16 and coach in mixed age groups based on ability/competence. We also have a number of older juniors who now volunteer as coaches, so it is a friendly setting.
We coach on alternate Saturdays at Lotts Wood near Hyde Heath. We typically open the bookings a week before – and they do tend to get booked up pretty quickly. Do join our Facebook group, or email us to be added to our Parent’s WhatsApp.
KIDS coaching FAQ
Our sessions run 9:45am until 12:00 every other Saturday in Lotts Wood near Amersham, Buckinghamshire.
Google maps: Here >
Nearest postcode: HP6 5RW
OS Grid Reference: SU 937991
What 3 Words: ///giant.trees.entry
Our young rider programme is designed for riders aged 6 up. Specifically because of the demands of riding and concentrating for two hours.
ESSENTIAL:
- Helmet and gloves and knee pads
- A well-maintained bike
either a mountain bike or hybrid with treaded tyres - Water
A bottle on the bike or a hydration pack
RECOMMENDED:
- A snack – we stop halfway through to refuel
- Spare inner tube to fit their bike
We specifically ask for mountain bikes. The ground can be rough and bumpy and muddy in places, so knobbly mountain bike specific tyres are essential. BMX bikes are not suitable for where we ride.
YES. We take good care of our riders and place them in suitable groups based on skill/experience, where they can progress.
As with any sport there are risks, but injuries are incredibly rare. All coaches are trained first-aiders and carry first-aid kits.
Typically the weekend before a session, there is no fixed time, and places are determined by coach availability.
As long as they can comfortably ride a bike, we can help them progress.
Groups are chosen for the riders each session, depending on who had booked and which coaches are available. We typically run 4 groups from very new riders to experienced young “rippers”!
You do not need to join the club to ride, in fact we would recommend you sign up for one or two non-member sessions first to make sure your young rider enjoys the format. Be aware however, there are more ticket places for existing members, than for non-members. If you do want to join, you can do that here.
YES. You are more than welcome to stay and explore the wood, please do stay clear of the coaches and coaching areas if you can. It is recommended the parents of younger riders, stay for the first session to ensure their rider is engaged and enjoying the coaching.
Generally yes, we will refund bookings assuming you give us plenty of notice. Please use our WhatsApp group to notify us if you cannot attend, and we will re-open the place. Do not offer the place up, as we need the parents/guardians of all riders to go through the full booking process.
We are not legally allowed to fix bikes, however we will often assist if small changes or tweaks are required. We will do a full safety check of new riders’ bikes before the session, and get ALL riders to check their own bikes and equipment pre-ride.
We have ample parking spaces available in Lotts wood, please park towards the top of the car park (coaches generally park near the bottom), and avoid the large turning point at the end, as young riders will be in this area.
Absolutely! We are all volunteers!
We do often need helpers for clearing trails, restoring trail features and general maintenance. You will not be able to help coach however, as all coaches are required to have at least British Cycling Level 1 Coaching Award, first aid qualifications and a full DBS check. If you are interested in becoming a coach, please talk to us at the next session, we’d love to have you on board!
What is go-ride
Cycling For Young People
Go-Ride is British Cycling’s development programme for young people aged between 8-16 years. The programme provides a fun and safe way to introduce young riders to the world of cycle sport and provides a platform to improve bike-handling skills. British Cycling provides training for coaches to deliver structured training for young cyclists of all levels. You can find out more about British Cycling and Go-Ride on the British Cycling website.
Go-ride essentials
To take part in a Go-Ride session, your child will need:
- parental consent form (emailed to you when you join the club)
- well-maintained bike – either a mountain bike or hybrid with gears and treaded tyres
- spare inner tube to fit their bike
- water bottle and cage or hydration pack and a snack
- helmet and gloves and knee pads
You must ensure that their child’s bike is in good condition prior to arriving for a session. Children who arrive with poorly maintained bicycles find it difficult to fully participate in the activities and may even not be able to take part if the coaches believe the bicycle is unsafe.
Our coaches carry out a bike and clothing safety check before every session, but we can’t cover every mechanical aspect of the bike before each activity. From time to time, mechanical mishaps do occur while out on the trail and the coaches carry basic tool kits to make trailside repairs. However, they can’t be expected to carry out major repairs before or during an activity. It is not fair on the other riders or the coach.
Due to the nature of the terrain in Lotts Wood, our primary coaching facility, we require that young riders wear knee protection to prevent any flint-knee injuries. Coaches can advise on wear and what type to purchase.
The cost of coaching sessions is £8.00 for members, £12.00 for non-members. New or prospective members may come and ‘try us out’ initially as a non-member, and if he or she enjoys the programme and wants to continue to improve their mountain biking, we ask that they join Summit MTB Club via the ‘Join Us’ link British Cycling website so that they are covered by our coaching insurance.
New members will be asked to complete a Rider Information and Parental Consent form which you must submit before your child can take part in a Go-Ride session. From time to time we ask members to complete new forms to ensure our records are up to date.
We look forward to welcoming you and your child to the next Summit Go-Ride session.
Go-ride Code of conduct
Summit MTB ascribes to the British Cycling Code of Conduct for coaches, which you can read here together with other club policies on issues such as first aid and child welfare.
There is also a Code of Conduct for parents that covers issues such as medical information, ensuring you are able to answer a call and collect your child if an incident occurs and supporting the coaches by following instructions and not interfering with sessions.
You should advise the club welfare officer or coach if your child has to leave early or is being collected by someone else. You must be able to respond to a phone call and collect your child if necessary. Parents are responsible for ensuring that all phone numbers held by the club are up to date.
We love it when parents and carers join us for the rides. It’s great to watch kids develop new skills, build confidence and make new friends. If you do decide to come along, please show appreciation and respect for coaches, officials and administrators and follow their instructions. Remember they are all unpaid volunteers who have gained qualifications and without them, your child could not participate. If you have a question, just ask, but please don’t interfere in coaching sessions or question the coaches’ methods.
Summit MTB believes that all its members should all be treated equally and any form of bullying is unacceptable. If you have any concerns about the treatment or behaviour of other club members then please make your concerns known to one of the club welfare officers or to a coach.
Meet our coaches
Rich Cooper
British Cycling Level 2 – MTB
Mike Waxman
British Cycling Level 2 – MTB
Steve Smith
British Cycling Level 1 MTB
Tim Pie
British Cycling Level 2 – MTB
Chris Smith
British Cycling Level 1 MTB
Alex Murphy
British Cycling Level 1 MTB
Peter Donald
British Cycling Level 1
ISAAC Godman
British Cycling Level 1
How to find us
Lotts Wood
Near Hyde Heath
Amersham
Buckinghamshire UK
Google maps: Here >
Nearest postcode: HP6 5RW
OS Grid Reference: SU 937991
What 3 Words: ///giant.trees.entry