Black Canon Collective

Author: Archive User

  • Ride Leader Training – what does it all mean anyway..?

    I’m pleased to say that we now have a number of people interested to learn some more about becoming a Ride Leader. This is obviously great news!

    It’s interesting to hear that many people just don’t know what the role entails, or in fact why it’s so important. To be honest I can completely understand, after all; BCC rides are very informal and basically identical to any other ride with mates, and lets face it we don’t need qualifications for that!

    The truth of the matter is that because we are an organised club to which people pay a membership fee and we organise club rides… well because of that ‘formal’ structure we are obliged to be able to do so with a reasonable level of safety. To ensure that this is the case the CTC and BC insist that club rides are led by qualified Ride Leaders. This ensures that each ride is conducted safely, and allows the participant to take part confident in the knowledge that they aren’t going to be led down an unreasonably dangerous trail.

    The CTC sums up the purpose of the  role with the four E‘s

    • Ensure safety – You, your group, other users.
    • Enjoyment – Your group members enjoy what you provide because you have games, ideas and loads of enthusiasm.
    • Engagement – You have the skills to match rides and skills development sessions to your group members age and stage of ability.
    • Education – Your group members come away from your rides knowing more, whether it be about mountain biking or other aspect of the area used.

    As you can see the qualification means that the Ride Leader is able to do a lot more; really adding to the rides that they lead, not just acting as a chaperone.

    But it’s really important to realise that the technical entry requirements aren’t very high, with greater focus being upon having the right mentality and nature.

    The CTC’s requirements are as follows:

    • Have at least one years experience of regular riding experience in trail terrain. This should be a minimum of 30 rides.
    • Have an interest in cycle instruction and/or mountain bike leading.
    • Hold a valid and appropriate first aid certificate (or obtain one shortly after your course).
    • Be able to understand the basic principles of maps (what they represent and how).
    • Have attempted to fix punctures.
    • Be at least 17 years of age. In this case, you cannot be provided with a full Trail Leader certificate until you reach 18, but you may be provided with an Assistant Leader Award for the interim period.

    So if you think you might fit the bill, or would just like to learn some more please get in contact.

    I plan to have a pub outing (for those who are interested) at which we can a have a drink and ask some questions –  So if you’ve shown some interest check out the forum (http://www.southerndownhill.com/forum/index.php/topic,198948.0.html) where I’ll make the arrangements….

    (If you haven’t already seen, all the course information is here: http://www.promtb.net/courses/leaderawards/trail.htm )

    Cheers!

  • Ladies' Night-Ride

    ride 002ride 003

    Yet again, another great ladies’ night-ride. We decided to take the reverse route of choice down through Longleat, over to the allotment and arriving back at our local meet and greet Horse and Groom pub. Still a small group, but we were four strong and having a blast! Hats of to Marjory’s determined effort to master the art of spd’s, I won’t say a word about the side-ways fall! Helen was out on her first night-ride and was greeted by a surprisingly warm night for this time of year, with the absence of rain and mist just the lush mud and endless puddles. Although the mud and puddles kept us busy and focused, sadly, no critters scampered or scurried across our path, which is always an interesting sight on a night-ride. Hampered by nothing more than our laughter and enthusiasm, we cruised our way down the side of the allotment dodging scattered debris and slippery stones. Marjory serenaded ‘Starlight Twilight’ to the group (every little helps!!) as we made our way down to the ford, which now resembles a small lake. You guessed it, we took the higher option over the bridge. Riding this particular route, in reverse, certainly amounts to less inclines and more declines; a great starting point for any newbie nightrider. Seriously, this was a cool smooth night-ride.

  • Plumbers needed!

    With all the wind and rain we’re having the Allotment is going to be in a bit of a state by the morning. So if you’re thinking of riding it over the weekend please make some time to clear existing drainage and tidy fallen branches etc.
    Weather like this is great for the DH trails as it helps them mature, but puddles just create a boggy mess, so with a bit of crafty forest plumbing we’ll be able to enjoy the trails through out the winter and look forward to even more roots by spring time.

    Cheers

  • Website gremlins

    It seems that the images on our website are being attacked by some Events Calendar gremlins. We’re trying to sort it out but can’t get hold if Gizmo…

    Update: Now fixed. – Al.

  • C'est tres chic…

    Good news; it’s looking like we’ll be able to get some BCC t-shirts made in time for Christmas!

    The printers are sending us some blank samples, so after a session of Clothes Show style prancing around we’ll choose the most, well, a la mode design and get a batch made.

    We’ll be launching this exciting new range in Primark, H&M, Williams the butchers and halfway down 143.

    Beans.

  • Calendar enitrely underwhelmed with new photograph's

    We plan to create an A4 size, 2010 calendar with an approximate sales price of £6 to raise funds for the skills area and “groovy blue trail”.

    BUT, without you photo’s this calendar won’t even get started. Don’t make me use this photo – its rubbish!

    the best photo ever

    So, please have a rummage around in your digital storage devices, thumb through your glossy prints or spread all your slides out on the table and somehow get them to me before Sunday 15th. The photo’s can be taken anywhere in the world and so long as they have a club member in and you own the rights to publish them then your photo could hang on lots of wall for an entire month. Please publish your photos on our Flickr account

    http://www.flickr.com/groups/blackcanoncollective/pool/

    or contact me at simon.truelove@blackcanoncollective.co.uk if you are having technical dificulties.

    Cheers

    Simon

  • Christmas social update

    Thank you to everyone for their posts on the forum regarding the date of the Christmas social. If you are interested and haven’t had your say yet, you only have until Monday (thats the 16th) to do so. In the mean time here’s a copy of the menu to whet your appetite!H&G menu 001

  • TickerTape Triple Crown

    I’ve just got confirmation from Keith at Transition Bikes that we’re going to be able to hold a special TickerTape event on Saturday 2nd January. Full details will be published soon, but we can say that it will be a Triple Crown (one timed run on each of the three trails) and will be made extra special by the addition of some pretty amazing Transition prizes.

    What ever you do make sure you keep 02/01/10 free!

  • Ladies' First Night Ride

    We had our first unofficial Ladies’ Night Ride on Sunday evening 7.00pm at the Horse and Groom, Frome. At this time of the year it’s going to be a bit muddy, but thankfully, the mud was soft and squidgy and the puddles not too deep. I don’t know about you girls but, the night, the mist, the glowing lights, and the mud was rather therapeutic ooooooowa!!! We took our time and planned our route along the way depending on our lights’. Although our group was small, it was a great first night ride and strongly urge all ladies of all skill levels to join our Sunday Ladies’ Night Ride. I can promise a ride under the stars with lively conversation and the thrill of smashing through the mud and up a few inclines; you’ll love it!!! So lets make next Sunday our official Ladies’ Night Ride.

    Ladies' Night-Ride

  • DH Trail Development

    Hi all, an update on the DH side of things.

    As you are all aware we have been working on the DH tracks at all dig days. The work is to refine existing tracks to allow weather proofing and making them a bit more ballsy.
    These alterations have been amazingly successful and a big thanks to all those who now ache due to digging so hard. We now have almost weatherproofed trails, 3 dope new drops to progress your huck skills and 3 varying tracks offering different ride experiences.

    Into the future we are looking at Puppets, an old track next to 143. This is steep and gnarly. There’s a thread on the forum about this, so please read and drop us a reply. Thanks to those who’ve already replied, it’s all been very helpful. We will try to stay true to the original but we have to make it more weatherproof, etc. Work will start on the next dig day so your hands + riding input will be much appreciated as always.

    Peace out ya’ all.

    Neil