hi all,myself and a mate are seriously considering starting a mtb guiding service in south wales.the routes would be mainly in the brecon beacons and surrounding areas and the black mountains.would anyone consider using a service like this,any feedback gratefully received,thanks Ian.
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feedback on mtb guiding needed.
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Posted 2 years ago #
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Hiya Ian
Well speaking from experience I'd say if it's something you fancy doing part time then you've nothing to lose. If you're thinking as a full time job then you'll struggle. People don't seem to feel the need for a guide in most of the UK, once they travel abroard a guide becomes more accectable in peoples minds.
Out of everything we do http://www.forestfreeride.co.uk guiding only accounts for a small percentage. Often people want guiding on return visits because they've had a taste of the area whilst doing a skills course, etc and fallen in love with the place.
If you want to pick my brains about anything feel free to email me forestfreeride@aol.com
Cheers
StuartPosted 2 years ago # -
Thanks for your reply Stuart thought i'd post on here to get peoples feedback I may get in touch soon thanks again Ian.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Ian - I started up with the intention doing a bit of work guiding people in Calderdale and maybe doing a little bit of skills training as well. My business is now predominantly skills courses and maybe 1% guiding. Not many people are looking for guided riding in the UK these days because there are so many trails where you can just follow the arrows. Good luck with whatever you plan to do.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I spent some time running a bike hire/skills/guiding service in the Peak District.
Skills yes - lots, guiding no - very little.
You can download route guides on the internet in gpx pdf etc for little or nothing, or of course buy a guidebook to the area. 99% of people will take a chance on their crap navigational abilities vs paying you a days wages.
Posted 2 years ago # -
As richpips said
also abroad with different languages, bif mountains and crap maps plus you are on holiday so want to get the max then guides become very useful.
Posted 2 years ago # -
As above - skills training adds a lot of appeal.
Guiding is important for us for the youth (public sector) and corporate markets, plus things like parties and stag parties - but those are enabled by the fact that we have a large hire fleet of proper mountain bikes, helmets etc. We normally give a little skills training to keep them safe and then do a couple of hours guided ride, which is about as much as most inexperienced people can manage.
The remainder of our guided rides are with people who don't have a regular riding partner and like to have company and back-up, plus sometimes people who want to find out where all the secret singletrack is and can't invest several weekends looking for it.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Thanks for the replies everyone I've taken your comments on board need to sit down with my mate and decide where we want to go from here. Thanks again Ian . If anyone else has any thoughts on this please feel free to leave a message here.
Posted 2 years ago #
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