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Had an email from BC looking for volunteer ride leaders.
Sounds like it could be fun.
Looking at what the (free) course offers it seems to talk about leading groups on roads or cycle paths. What about off road?
I already have an emergency first aid at work qualification but guessing this will need upgrading to the outdoor qual.
Anyone else currently do this?
How do you find it?
Do you feel like you're giving something back?
If You can use your employment to upgrade your emergency first aid at work, to a full first aid at work qualification, that is acceptable to BC.
"Log with British Cycling a relevant current first aid qualification. This must be an outdoor first aid qualification (minimum two days) or a full First Aid at Work qualification (minimum three days). Again, this will be held on your member profile but will NOT show on your membership card."
Mrs does it - tends to be lots of pensioners go on the rides. You can also use the system to organise closed group rides which fall under BC insurance (useful for organising workplace rides etc).
I think BC had lots of leaders before she started when it was "Skyride" and people were paid to do it (hence the current push for volunteers).
Dunno about first aid as we already had the 2 day outdoor one.
Thanks all.
Possibly won't get it upgraded through work but quite happy to have a weekend away doing the outdoor first aid.
Does the Level 1 allow guiding off-road? The email blurb and the course literature seem to say different things.
^^^^ no, for guiding off road you need MBLA level 2
Thanks all.
Looks like I'll give it a miss then - don't fancy road rides.
Slightly misleading from BC as the picture on the email is of riders on a bit of single track.
I've done the combined ride leader - so Level 1 & 2 for road/paths in a weekend.
Lots of basics about looking after groups, especially for level 1 rides. Essentially it's for inexperienced riders who are looked after in a bubble with a couple of ride leaders. Gentle pace, controlled junctions. We started by learning how to assess abilities in a car park, bike checks, helmet checks etc.
Level 2 rides can be more than 50 miles and have steeper, longer climbs. A bit more like a well regimented club ride, again with the leaders controlling the group at junctions but the assessment ride we did felt a bit more normal than day 1.
You can lead rides on well surfaced paths, but think hybrids rather than MTBs. No technical features, no singletrack. MTB leader needed for that.
Addition - I self funded, and mainly did it as I do shop rides and lead the odd one. I'd say the course content only added a little to leading experienced club/shop riders (I'm med/fast style group) but would be more useful for our social ride. Lots of interesting discussion and debate on the course though, great bunch of people and excellent people teaching.
Also of note with the ride leader thing is you have to declare that you've pre-ridden the route in the seven days prior to the ride - so if you have a job / family / life that can be quite a chunk of time for a volunteer.
BC L2 MTB leader lets you guide routes you haven't specifically pre-ridden and change route on the hoof as conditions demand.