・MTB Training
Hi, my name is Hibiki and I’m doing an internship at Evergreen Outdoor Center in Hakuba. On June 19th and 20th, we had Mountain Bike (MTB) guide training.
On the first day of the training, we learned the characteristics and basic skills of mountain biking and practiced how to explain and demonstrate these skills to guests. One of the most important things we talk about is braking. Most of our MTBs are equipped with hydraulic disk brakes. This type of the brake is different from brakes for urban bicycles and creates a lot of braking force with just a little power when you apply the brakes. If you hit the hydraulic disc brakes quickly, you would fall down or go over the handlebars. Therefore, our guides really have to tell guests about the brakes carefully, and they tell them to use the brakes gently.
On the second day of the training, we also practiced how to teach and demonstrate basic MTB skills to guests. Additionally, we learned the pre-tour safety talk which is important for guests to follow for their safety during the tour. Examples of the important points are “Do not pass the lead guide,” “Keep two or more bike lengths between riders,” and so on.
In the afternoon, we went to the downhill trail. We rode up for 7km of the paved and the gravel road. On the downhill trail, we checked the condition of the trail and practiced the downhill bike skills. It was + 30 degrees Celsius that day, but we made it up the 7km and rode down the downhill trail.
I learned from this training that I need to tell guests about the skills simply and smoothly. When I was practicing the demonstration, I was talking about the skill that I was demonstrating. Yachiyo, the senior MTB guide, told me “do not talk while demonstrating” because clients may pay attention to the guide’s talk instead of the demonstration. Demonstration of the skills are used to show clients how they should do, so we should not talk during the demonstration. When I guide clients, I need to talk about the important points before the demonstration so that they can understand it better.
During the Evergreen MTB Fun Ride tours, you may be able to see the beautiful scenery like the picture below!
Evergreen offers the “MTB Fun Ride Tour”, the “MTB Downhill Tour”, and the “MTB Private Tour”. If you are keen to get out on the trails in Hakuba, please check the link below!
http://www.evergreen-hakuba.com/mountain-biking/
We are waiting for you to come to Evergreen. I know you will have a great time!
See you in Hakuba!!
Hibiki