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Boy smiles as he rides his bike

Thornbridge Outdoors Traffic Free Cycle Leader Training

Biking is a popular activity here with our fleet of mountain bikes, accessible trikes, onsite ‘Trike and Bike Trail’ and easy access to the Monsal Trail.

Visiting organisations are responsible for the tasking of suitably skilled and experienced leaders for activities that they lead.  The Traffic Free Cycle Leader Training course is designed to help visiting organisations by equipping visiting adults with the skills and knowledge to lead safe and enjoyable cycling sessions using our field, onsite ‘Trike and Bike Trail’ and the Monsal Trail.

The course includes

  • Safety Checks and preparing equipment
  • Skills Checks and Games
  • Understanding Trail Risk
  • Changing an inner tube and remounting a dropped chain
  • Rider Ready Position and Weight Shift
  • The Ride (including pre-ride brief and post ride)

Should visiting staff be unable to attend an induction course, not feel confident to lead biking sessions or would prefer for their group to be able to use our onsite bike skills area, then Thornbridge Outdoors biking instructors can be booked to work with your group.

Course pre-requisites

  • You must be able to ride a bike comfortably on traffic free trails, which may have a rougher surface than roads, and have an appropriate level of fitness
  • We recommend that you have ridden a bike at least 5 times in the past 6 months
  • Transferable group management skills, i.e. the ability to train and direct up to 12 young people on a safe and fun cycling session
  • Completion of the pre-course learning

Course timings

Prior to the course, a pack of information will be sent out which will include resources for approximately 90 minutes of pre-course learning which will help you to make the most of the course.

The course will run from 8.45am – 5pm.

Course Dates

  • 2nd May 2025

Cost

  • Free if you are attending to be able to lead cycling as part of a school visit to Thornbridge Outdoors.
  • £50 to all others.

Personal Equipment

Candidates should come suitably dressed to spend much of the day outdoors, including time riding a bike.

If you’d like to bring your own bike and/or helmet to use, please feel free but make sure they are in good working order/condition, otherwise you can borrow them from the centre.

Further considerations

Following successful attendance at a Traffic Free Cycle Leader Training course we hope that you will feel confident to lead groups biking from Thornbridge Outdoors.  It is worth considering that we suggest the following are in place to lead a ride from the centre:

  • A competent assistant: leading young people on bikes has many variables and the popular Monsal Trail involves leaving the centre grounds onto a shared traffic-free trail. A competent adult to assist on the ride is strongly recommended.
  • Adequate first aid cover: we strongly suggest that either the ride leader or their assistant have a valid First Aid qualification.  We offer a range of First Aid courses.

Further Information

We provide hot drinks and other refreshments during the course but meals are not provided so please bring a packed lunch.

For written directions see our contact us page.

You can read our course booking terms and conditions.

Full course details will be sent to applicants by email before the course.

If you have any questions regarding the course please get in touch.

    Enquire about a place on this course

    Complete the information below and we'll get back to you with availability.

    Course Date (required)

    Sun breaking through the trees in the Low Ropes (onsite ground-based) at Thornbridge Outdoors

    Thornbridge Outdoors Low Ropes Training

    The Low Ropes course is one of the most popular activities here at Thornbridge Outdoors with both day and residential groups, young and old alike.

    Visiting organisations are responsible for the tasking of suitably skilled and experienced leaders for activities that they lead.  This Low Ropes Training course is designed to help visiting organisations by equipping visiting adults with the skills and knowledge to lead safe and enjoyable sessions on the low ropes course here at the centre.

    The Course Includes

    • Familiarising yourself with the Low Ropes course itself (by having a go!)
    • Exploring different ideas to make the low ropes course more enjoyable and successful for your groups
    • Understanding and managing the risks involved

    The optional afternoon session gives a chance to familiarise yourself with other visiting staff-led activities at the centre such as:

    • Problem solving
    • Orienteering
    • Den building

    Course Pre-requisites

    • You must have an appropriate level of fitness to be able to supervise, and help where required, a group of young people on our low ropes course
    • Transferable group management skills, i.e. the ability to train and direct up to 12 young people on a safe and fun session

    These visiting-staff led activities are popular and our experience is that groups’ enjoyment is improved by staff being more familiar with them.

    Course Timings

    • The Low Ropes Training course will run from 9.30am – 12.30pm
    • The optional afternoon session will run from 1.15pm – 3pm

    Course Dates

    • 20th May 2025

    Cost

    • Free if you are attending to be able to lead groups on our low ropes as part of a school visit to Thornbridge Outdoors
    • £40 to all others

    Personal Equipment

    Candidates should come suitable dressed to spend much of the day outdoors.  Wellies and waterproofs are available to borrow from our stores.

    Further Information

    We provide hot drinks and other refreshments during the course but meals are not provided so please bring a packed lunch if you plan to stay for the optional afternoon session.

    For written directions see our contact us page.

    You can read our course booking terms and conditions.

    Full course details will be sent to applicants by email before the course.

    If you have any questions regarding the course please get in touch.

      Enquire about a place on this course

      Complete the information below and we'll get back to you with availability.

      Course Date (required)

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      Thornbridge Outdoors
      Thornbridge Outdoors2 weeks ago
      An unusual opportunity for schools to squeeze in some fantastic outdoor adventures for their young people!

      We've some midweek last-minute summer term availability for schools both in our indoor accommodation and camping.

      More information at https://www.thornbridgeoutdoors.co.uk/last-minute-school-vacancies-2025/.

      Book soon!
      Thornbridge Outdoors
      Thornbridge Outdoors3 weeks ago
      Spring's coming! The buds on a horse chestnut tree caught our eye today for looking like punk rockers! #spring #nature #peakdistrict