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Verbier Mountain Bike Technical Leader Course – Final Week
06/10/2009
The FINAL Week!!!! This was quite a strange feeling as the time had passed so quickly as we had all had such a great time but it was not over yet by a long shot as this was not only the final week but also exam week so preparation was everything as none of us wanted to spend 6 weeks in the alps having the time of our lives only to miss out of the main qualification at the end. Our nights on this week were mainly spent collating all the trails and maps we had used in order to build the a log book which was required for the exam. This was to be used as proof that we had actually completed the desired amount of trail rides. As if 6 weeks in the alps was not enough LOL. Well Exam day was upon us and by this time we were ready for anything and, and........Wait for it!!! We all PASSED with flying colours which felt amazing! The perfect end to what can only described as a life changing experience!!!
PHOTO MARK ABRAHAM
Verbier Mountain Bike Technical Leader Course – Week 5
06/10/2009
By this point we had started to focus on the final weeks exam. To prepare for this, PeakLeaders had arranged for us to teach and guide a group of local riders which we all thought was excellent preperation for the exam as well as giving us real life experience to prepare us for real guiding in the future. Felix had started to re-cap on all we had learnt over the past month, not only the Mountain Bike skills and Techniques but the local knowledge of the Wildlife and Fauna which is also an important part of being a guide.
PHOTO MARK ABRAHAM
Verbier Mountain Bike Technical Leader Course – Week 4
06/10/2009
We continued exploring the almost endless network of trails to be found in the Verbier area, Downhill! :-) and Uphill! :-( By this point everbodies riding was becoming better by the minute and our physical and mental fitness were improving everyday due to spending time riding in the beutiful scenery and training at an altitude of often in excess of 2000mtrs above sea level (Roughly twice as high as the highest peak in the UK). This was very handy as we were beginning our First Aid course which was run by Flora from Elements First Aid. She was an excellent teacher and helped Mark, Rob and Myself pass with flying colours which set us up perfectly to deal with most emergency scenarios in an Outdoor environment.
PHOTO MARK ABRAHAM
Verbier Mountain Bike Technical Leader Course – Week 3
06/10/2009
After exploring some of what Verbier had to offer we were offered the chance to go and ride some of the other resorts in the local area, well France! But the drive was only 1 hour, a half hour less than my usual drive to the local Mtb centre. With this knowledge we all jumped at the chance! So on our second gondola ride Felix (Guide) and myself noticed a small ramp at the edge of a large rocky outcrop and both decided that it would have been rude not to go check it out. After a couple of minutes of shall I or shant I, we both agreed we would do the jump.I voted that Felix go first (Just to test it, You know!) So down he goes off the jump and all seems well and good albeit I didn't see him land so I step up to the plate! I blast down going a bit faster than Felix I might add and lauch off the ramp setting up for the steep landing below but unfortunatly for my man bits the landing was not as steep as anticipated and I land with my hips placed delicately between the compressing rear suspension and the surprisingly hard underside of my saddle however I did manage to hold on which was nice considering the alternative option of a Face, Body and Limb Plant. After seeing my expert demostration, there was little wonder XC Mark and Rob the Wreckage! were not really keen to take part in this particular excercise which was ok as there was a wide variety of terrain on offer to allow riders of all ability to set their own challenges.
PHOTO MARK ABRAHAM
Verbier Mountain Bike Technical Leader Course – Week 2
06/10/2009
Things were starting heat up and we were all begining to feel more comfortable on the Big Mountain Terrain. After a week and half of constant nagging Mark was on his big bike and had been persuaded into using Flat pedals instead of clipped pedals that only seemed to be causing a problem on the steep terrain common in the Verbier area (Love it!) After he was converted he instantly felt more comfortable and his riding improved 10 fold, "Rob the Wreckage" was in full swing and I was fast becoming the in house bike mechanic in the Chalet / Bike Emporium.
PHOTO MARK ABRAHAM
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