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Surely the risks etc. depend on where and who you're guiding?
Compare guiding a group in the Alps and a group around the blue/fire roads at Cannock.
Jesus I'd rather be an IT manager than ride Cannock for a living.
Compare guiding a group in the Alps and a group around the blue/fire roads at Cannock.
I'd worry more about the Cannock lot, having had a friend coach and guide there for a decade...
That's a serious answer.
Marin
Jesus I’d rather be an IT manager than ride Cannock for a living
Haha!
Depends where you ride.
Taking a group of kids & parents around areas they've never seen is quite a nice feeling - showing them that there is more to Cannock than the visitors centres.
my favourite stw threads are the ones where inexperienced people argue about the actual experience of the people that actually have the experience being discussed
My decision when I wanted to work out doors was that I needed the top qualification in the activity otherwise it was going to be mainly wall to wall rehab for young offenders (30 years ago) and having to deal with youth that did not want to be there wasn't my idea of fun.
I missed the chance in 2005 as my loyalty bonus for working normally went 2 months into the full-time 6 month course I was considering and after that I considered my self too old to want to do it and I didn't want to taint my enjoyment of my hobby by making it my job. That said I enjoy a day out with a good guide especially if the day is structured around my not very outdoorsy wife. (Hat tip to Lavatrax for some excellent work catering to her 8 or so years ago).
Genuine answer – I bet there’s a Scout group near you crying out for leaders.
Our county bike team are always keen to have new people, and would probably cover some of the training.
Though training, risk assessments, oversight etc are being cranked up to 11 this year, and not just due to Covid
I'm seeing the same with Boys Brigade - particularly for DofE...
I’m seeing the same with Scouts – particularly for anything involving being within thirty feet of another human being…
I write this only as a customer, not as a current or former employee or employer. Feel free to correct me if you have any experience in the matter.
Have you considered the activity holiday company type places - mark warner, nielsen etc.
Their group rides vary from flat 5 miles to 50+ mile high speed routes with serious riders who bring their own bikes out (all well advertised as to which is which).
The routes are already existing and they always send two guides out with the group, so you can start off as the sweeper.
You can start from no experience (and if you're a good home mechanic that is definitely a bonus), and could get you the experience you need if you want to take it further, or come home after a season and go back to IT if you hate it.
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