Workshops for beginners new to off road riding and riders looking to improve skills and technique
Beginners workshop - learn how to set up your bike, what clothing and equipment to use and how to ride confidently off road. Intermediate riders - will learn to improve technique, ride technical descents and ascents and gain the extra skills to go the extra mile!
Or those looking to develop technique and gain confidence to ride more technical routes. Learn how to correctly adjust and set up your bike, basic maintenance tasks, what tool and equipment you need to keep your bike 'moving' whilst out and how to carry out basic trail side repairs.
Learn and practice some essential rider bike skills and techniques so you can improve your riding confidence when you encounter more technical trail sections. Learn to use a 'rider ready' body position on the bike, use effective braking, gearing and cornering alongside learning to 'read' the trail ahead to be ready to respond and ride more technical trails.
On a one day workshop you will spend a few hours in the morning based at a community building checking bikes, riders and equipment. Looking at tools, how to do a few trail side repairs and going through what an off road rider should wear and carry to be safe, comfortable and prepared for a day out.
The afternoon will be spent on the trail trying out techniques in a practical way with
Workshops are a fun, practical way to learn and improve skills. You won't need to be super fit or have a top of the range mountain bike to take part or loads of expensive kit, during the workshop you can learn what you need for future off road adventures.
Rides with a focus on key skills and techniques where you have time to play about and experiment. On many rides you will have time to look at the terrain and ride it once or twice to experiment or have a play about!
These guided rides are focused on seeking out the most interesting, more technical and fun routes; tricky descents and ascents, challenging single track and a few natural trail features to try out and gain confidence in your bike skills.
Rides are suitable for beginners that have completed a workshop or more experienced riders that want to practice and perfect techniques. The routes are chosen to complement the beginners workshops, focus on key aspects off road riding for intermediate riders where they can experience different terrain and ground conditions, and learn how to ride them efficiently and effectively.
Many rides start on or close to Cranbourne Chase, South Downs and surrounding areas. Nigel spends lots of time riding these areas to find the most fun, sometimes challenging terrain to practice skills and techniques on. Depending on the time of year some routes will be 'stitched' together using drove roads, semi surfaced tracks and the odd minor road to we don't get bogged down and miss out on the fun bits!
These rides are ideal as bespoke rides for individuals and small groups that want to extend their repertoire of rides and techniques.
All the latest mountain bike technique workshops and technique focussed ride dates, places left and locations.
Midweek and weekend dates are being added for 2024 season.
Bespoke technique workshops and technique rides can be arranged on a bespoke basis.
Obscurenigelwessex if you want to know more
All workshop dates, locations and number of places remaining
Course - Name & Location | Date/s 2024 | Places left/confirmed as running | Location | Suitable for | Course - Name & Location | Date/s 2024 | Places left/confirmed as running | Location | Suitable for | Course - Name & Location | Date/s 2024 | Places left/confirmed as running | Location | Suitable for | Course - Name & Location | Date/s 2024 | Places left/confirmed as running | Location | Suitable for | Course - Name & Location | Date/s 2024 | Places left/confirmed as running | Location | Suitable for |
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Available for one to one, one to two, smalls groups - bespoke rides, skills courses and navigation by bike | All year! | Email Nigel for for info | Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire | Anyone! | Available for one to one, one to two, smalls groups - bespoke rides, skills courses and navigation by bike | All year! | Email Nigel for for info | Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire | Anyone! | Available for one to one, one to two, smalls groups - bespoke rides, skills courses and navigation by bike | All year! | Email Nigel for for info | Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire | Anyone! | Available for one to one, one to two, smalls groups - bespoke rides, skills courses and navigation by bike | All year! | Email Nigel for for info | Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire | Anyone! | Available for one to one, one to two, smalls groups - bespoke rides, skills courses and navigation by bike | All year! | Email Nigel for for info | Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire | Anyone! |
Suggested kit list for navigation by bike, guided rides and skills workshops
You will be sent a kit list with the joining details - these are usually sent out a couple of weeks before the activity date.
Regular cyclists will know what clothing and equipment to bring with them and what layers they will need for the season. Remember that on navigation courses and technique rides and workshops you will be stationary for periods of time and will cool downs and get cold more easily. Do not skimp on waterproofs, warm layers and gloves etc because if we have to stop and deal with mechanical issues etc it will be miserable standing around without adequate layers.
Item | Always bring with you | Mandatory 1 October to 31 March | Mandatory for Guided MTB/Skills courses |
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Suitable bike in fully working order - see guidance FAQ's | YES | YES | YES |
Cycle helmet - properly fitting | YES | YES | YES |
Eye protection | Good idea | Good idea | YES |
Cycling gloves | Good idea | Good idea | YES |
Rucksack/Camel back - to fit all equipment | YES | YES | YES |
And/or water bottles with a waist bag or small rucksack | YES | YES | YES |
Enough food and water to sustain you for the duration of the ride | YES | YES | YES |
GPS or smartphone maps etc | Optional | Optional | Optional |
Waterproof jacket | Yes* | YES | YES* |
Waterproof trousers - cycling specific or walking ones (1) | No* | YES | YES* |
Personal first aid kit with medications | YES | YES | YES |
Sun cream & insect repellant etc | Depends! | Depends! | Depends! |
3 layer system of cycling clothing (2) | YES* | YES | YES* |
Inner tube that fits your tyre/s^ | YES | YES | YES |
Multitool & tyre levers & tubeless repair kit etc. (3) | YES/NO^ | YES/NO^ | YES |
Bike lights/flashers | Good idea | YES | Good idea |
High vis vest/rucksack cover | Good idea | YES | Good idea |
Extra hat and gloves | Good idea* | YES | Good idea* |
Extra thermal layer | Good idea* | YES | Good idea* |
GPS or smartphone maps etc (4) | Optional | Optional | Optional |
Flask (no stoves in New Forest) | Optional | Optional | Optional |
Orange survival bag | Optional | Useful | Useful |
NO jeans or cargo trousers/shorts. No heavy cotton sweatshirts or bulky jackets please. Your rucksack should be one suitable for cycling that sits closer to your back, ideally has a waist strap to control the 'swing' and one you can look behind you when wearing. NO single strap rucksacks or tying equipment around your waist! Whatever you bring should be inside a rucksack or waist bag.
*Check the weather forecast and make a common sense approach to bringing waterproof jackets and trousers - maybe consider using a windproof if it windy/cold or to put on at rest stops.
1 - Trouser lower legs can be gathered up and secured with silicon bands or 'tape' if they are not cycling specific. You might also want them to pout on when you stop to keep the wind off.
2 - 3 layer systems usually comprises a base layer suitable for the season i.e breathable or thermal base layer with a top layer to go under a shell windproof or water proof jacket. Waterproof trousers are great if have to stop and stand around or fine on the bike if they are cycling specific ones. Cycling or running leggings are great to bring or wear in the cooler seasons. A spare thermal layer such as synthetic top/gilet can be great for the cooler months and for emergency stops.
3 - Tools and inner tubes - If you are new to off road cycling you might not have an extensive tool kit. The bike leader will carry a tool kit but it can be good to start building up a personal set of useful tools for yourself. Please bring an inner tube that fits you tyre even if you run tubeless and a tubeless repair kit.
4 - GPS/smartphone apps - Usually for navigation by bike courses - You will be sent some guidance notes for what to bring