The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) is running a new course on mountain bike handling and basic cycle repairs for hill walkers.
“Do you ever access the hills by bike? Have you ever experienced ‘the long walk out’ due to a flat tyre or broken chain? If so, this one day course could be for you” says MCofS Mountain Safety Adviser Heather Morning.
The aim of the course is twofold, to develop the confidence and technical skills to carry out track-side repairs to your bike, and to learn some basic riding techniques to minimise the potential for causing damage to yourself or your bike.
This one-day course will be run on a 1:6 ratio by Al Gilmour, a qualified Mountain Bike Leader, full-time instructor at Glenmore Lodge and member of the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team.
The main topics covered during the day will be:
First Aid for your bike, including early recognition of worn parts;
Trail-side repairs including repairing a puncture, replacing a tube, repairing a broken chain and adjusting gears;
How to ride your bike safely and efficiently over rough terrain; and
Advice on a basic repair kit to carry on your bike.
“To get the most out of this course you need to be reasonably fit and enjoy a four hour cycle on forest tracks. This will involve some ascent and descent on the forest tracks around Fort William” says Heather.
The course will be based at the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team base, Ben Nevis Industrial Estate, Fort William and will be held on Saturday 19th November, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will cost £35 for MCofS members and £45 for non-members.
Participants must bring their own bike, helmet and gloves, as well as normal hill kit and packed lunch. To book a place call the MCofS office in Perth on 01738 493 942. For further details see the MCofS website.