Adult DeVo – Sunday 17th September – 9.30am – 1pm

The Firecrest Mountain Bikxing Adult Rider Development Programme (RDP) based at Rushmere Country Park is your chance to join a Group Skills Course for riders aged 18 years old and over, focussed on Skills Development through a range of terrain.

Adult DeVo – 18yrs+
Rushmere Country Park
Sunday 17th September – 9.30am – 1pm
Book Your Place Here>>>

Firecrest Mountain Biking’s Skills Training is underpinned by ‘The System’ our proven Skills Training methods which supports our ‘holistic approach’ to MTB Skills Development. ‘The System’ enables us to work with you and  give you an insight into ‘why to do’ things over ‘how to do’ them. This in turn gives you a unique perspective on developing your Skills and how to improve your performance when you’re riding trails.

This Group Course will enable you to access Firecrest MTB Skills Training at a significantly reduced rate. It is a chance to join a focussed Training Group aimed at enabling you to achieve your skills goals.

Check out Neil Hawkins Photo’s from June’s Adult DeVo Here>>>

The Course is ideal for Downhill and Enduro Riders new to the Firecrest MTB Skills Courses and riders that have previously had MTB Skills Training from Firecrest Mountain Biking. The Course will cover an introduction to the ‘The System’ and then a range of ‘Technical Trail Features’, Including but not limited to; Jumps, Drops Corners and Technical Downhill Sections showing how you can use ‘The System’ to optimise your Skills, Mindset, and Performance.

‘The System’ will enable you to understand how to optimise your riding and easily identify areas that you need to focus on as you develop your skills. Tapping into our experience will give you the knowledge and confidence needed to ‘fast track’ the improvements to make those gains that will have you riding faster with more confidence.

Adult DeVo – 18yrs+
Rushmere Country Park
Sunday 17th September – 9.30am – 1pm
Book Your Place Here>>>


 

Imagine Cruising – One Life Wish – Melisa Learns to Mountain Bike

“Hi my names Melisa, I’ve been given your number by my husband Alex who used to ride on your Young Rider Development Programme – DeVo back in the 00’s. He said you’d be the right person to help me learn to mountain bike. I’ve just won a competition through my work and they’ll pay for me to be trained so that I can surprise my husband and ride an MTB Enduro race with him”. Of course that’s not your usual telephone enquiry but one that lead to a summer of skills training for Mel culminating in her first Mountain Bike Race at the Pedalhounds E-MTB Enduro early in October.

Mel works for Imagine Causing and the competition she’d won was their One Life Challenge. Where they fund their staff to pursue their own One Life Challenges. Mel’s husband Alex had brought her the bike and all the kit so she could join him and their 20 month old son out on the trails. Mel thought it would be a great way to facilitate the dream of adrenaline, fun and love-filled family memories for years to come and to prove to herself that any challenge is attainable.

Chatting through Mel’s goals I put together a programme of training courses to build here skills and confidence on her E-bike and to get her ready for her first E-MTB Enduro Race that she’d entered in October. Then we worked together on developing her skills, fitness and race craft to get her ready for the race and it was great to see Mel’s progression throughout the sessions and it was great to see her achieve her dream of lining up for her first race.

You can find out more and follow Mel’s journey on the Imagine Cruising website with video’s of her training journey culminating in a full video of her surprising her husband Alex at the race and how she got on between the tapes for the first time.

Find out all about Mel’s One Life Challenge and watch Mel’s video’s here>>

If you have a personal challenge or are looking to develop your mountain bike skills then we have a course for you. Find out more about our range of courses here>>>

Adult DeVo – Sunday 10th July – 9.30am – 1pm

The Firecrest Mountain Biking Adult Rider Development Programme (RDP) based at Rushmere Country Park works with some of the fastest Downhill and Enduro Racers in the UK. This is your chance to join a Group Skills Course for riders aged 18 years old and over, focussed on Skills Development through a range of terrain.

Adult DeVo – 18yrs+
Rushmere Country Park
Sunday 10th July – 9.30am – 1pm
Book Your Place Here>>>

Firecrest Mountain Biking’s Skills Training is underpinned by ‘The System’ our proven Skills Training methods which supports our ‘holistic approach’ to MTB Skills Development. ‘The System’ enables us to work with you and  give you an insight into ‘why to do’ things over ‘how to do’ them. This in turn gives you a unique perspective on polishing your Skills and how to improve your performance when your racing.

This Group Course will enable you to access Firecrest MTB Skills Training at a significantly reduced rate. It is a chance to join a focussed Training Group aimed at enabling you to achieve your skills goals.

Check out Neil Hawkins Photo’s from June’s Adult DeVo Here>>>

The Course is ideal for Downhill and Enduro Riders new to the Firecrest MTB Skills Courses and riders that have previously had MTB Skills Training from Firecrest Mountain Biking. The Course will cover an introduction to the ‘The System’ and then a range of ‘Technical Trail Features’, Including but not limited to; Jumps, Drops Corners and Technical Downhill Sections showing how you can use ‘The System’ to optimise your Skills, Mindset, and Performance.

‘The System’ will enable you to understand how to optimise your riding and easily identify areas that you need to focus on as you develop your skills. Tapping into our experience will give you the knowledge and confidence needed to ‘fast track’ the improvements to make those gains that will have you riding faster with more confidence.

 

FMTB Young Rider Development Programme – DeVo – Easter Holiday Courses 2022

We have a packed programme of Mountain Bike Skills Courses for kids over the Easter Holidays. With the Holidays split by a week for Beds and Bucks we have 3 weeks of sessions so you won’t miss out. With DeVo Level1 and DeVo Evo on Tuesday’s and DeVo Level2 all day on Thursday’s. We also have a Girls DeVo on Saturday 2nd April from 9.30am – 12.30pm.

The Level1 Courses can be booked through Eventbrite and the Level2 Courses are part of British Cycling Cycling Development Pathway Centres – Gravity Programme and can be booked through the British Cycling Website. Find out more about the opportunities through the British Cycling Development Pathway  and what it means for the DeVo Programme here>>>

Here’s our programme with links to the booking pages:-

DeVo Level2 – Saturday 2nd April
9.30am – 12.30pm – 12-18yrs of age
Rushmere Country Park
Book Your Place Here>>>

Girls DeVo
Saturday 2nd April
9.30am – 12.30pm
Rushmere Country Park
Book Your Place Here>>>

DeVo Level1 – Tuesday 5th April (Beds Easter Holidays)
10am – 12pm – 8-12yrs of age
Rushmere Country Park
Book Your Place Here>>>

DeVo Evo – Tuesday 5th April (Beds Easter Holidays)
1pm – 3pm – 8-12yrs of age
Rushmere Country Park
Book Your Place Here>>>

DeVo Level1 – Tuesday 12th April (Bucks and Beds Easter Holidays)
10am – 12pm – 8-12yrs of age
Rushmere Country Park
Book Your Place Here>>>

DeVo Evo – Tuesday 12th April (Bucks and Beds Easter Holidays)
1pm – 3pm – 8-12yrs of age
Rushmere Country Park
SOLD OUT

DeVo Level2 – Thursday 14th April (Bucks and Beds Easter Holidays)
10am – 4pm – 12-18yrs of age
Rushmere Country Park
Book Your Place Here>

DeVo Level2 – Saturday 16th April
9.30am – 12.30pm – 12-18yrs of age
Rushmere Country Park
Bookings open 04.04.22 at 10am

DeVo Level1 – Tuesday 19th April (Bucks Beds Half Term)
10am – 12pm – 8-12yrs of age
Rushmere Country Park
Book Your Place Here>>>

DeVo Evo – Tuesday 19th April (Bucks Beds Half Term)
1pm – 3pm – 8-12yrs of age
Rushmere Country Park
Book Your Place Here>>>

DeVo Level2 – Thursday 21st April (Bucks and Beds Easter Holidays)
10am – 1pm – 12-18yrs of age
Rushmere Country Park
Book Your Place Here>

DeVo Level2 – Saturday 30th April
9.30am – 12.30pm – 12-18yrs of age
Rushmere Country Park
Bookings open 18.04.22 at 10am


 

Adult DeVo – Sunday 16th January – 9.30am – 1pm

The Firecrest Mountain Biking Adult Rider Development Programme (RDP) based at Rushmere Country Park works with some of the fastest Downhill and Enduro Racers in the UK. This is your chance to join a Group Skills Course for riders aged 18 years old and over, focussed on Skills Development through a range of terrain.

Adult DeVo – 18yrs+
Rushmere Country Park
Sunday 16th January 9.30am – 1pm
Book Your Place Here>>>

Firecrest Mountain Biking’s Skills Training is underpinned by ‘The System’ our proven Skills Training methods which supports our ‘holistic approach’ to MTB Skills Development. ‘The System’ enables us to work with you and  give you an insight into ‘why to do’ things over ‘how to do’ them. This in turn gives you a unique perspective on polishing your Skills and how to improve your performance when your racing.

This Group Course will enable you to access Firecrest MTB Skills Training at a significantly reduced rate. It is a chance to join a focussed Training Group aimed at enabling you to achieve your skills goals.

The Course is ideal for Downhill and Enduro Riders new to the Firecrest MTB Skills Courses and riders that have previously had MTB Skills Training from Firecrest Mountain Biking. The Course will cover an introduction to the ‘The System’ and then a range of ‘Technical Trail Features’, Including but not limited to; Jumps, Drops Corners and Technical Downhill Sections showing how you can use ‘The System’ to optimise your Skills, Mindset, and Performance.

‘The System’ will enable you to understand how to optimise your riding and easily identify areas that you need to focus on as you develop your skills. Tapping into our experience will give you the knowledge and confidence needed to ‘fast track’ the improvements to make those gains that will have you riding faster with more confidence.

 

FMTB Young Rider Development Programme – DeVo – Autumn Half Term Holiday Courses 2021

We have a packed programme of Mountain Bike Skills Courses for kids over Autumn Half Term Holidays. With DeVo Level1 and DeVo Evo on Tuesday and DeVo Level2 all day on Thursday. We also have a Girls DeVo on Saturday 23rd October from 9.30am – 12.30pm.

The Level1 Courses can be booked through Eventbrite and the Level2 Courses are part of British Cycling Cycling Development Pathway Centres – Gravity Programme and can be booked through the British Cycling Website. Find out more about the opportunities through the British Cycling Development Pathway  and what it means for the DeVo Programme here>>>

Here’s our programme with links to the booking pages:-

DeVo Level2 – Saturday 18th October
9.30am – 12.30pm – 12-18yrs of age
Rushmere Country Park
Book Your Place Here>>>

Girls DeVo – Saturday 23rd October
9.30am – 12.30pm – 12-18yrs of age
Rushmere Country Park
Book Your Place Here>>>

DeVo Level1 – Tuesday 26th October
10am – 12pm – 8-12yrs of age
Rushmere Country Park
Book Your Place Here>>>

DeVo Evo – Tuesday 26th October
1pm – 3pm – 8-12yrs of age
Rushmere Country Park
Book Your Place Here>>>

DeVo Level2 – Thursday 28th October
10pm – 4pm – 12-18yrs of age
Rushmere Country Park
Book Your Place Here>>>

Firecrest Mountain Biking – Covid-19 Status Update

Forestry England have updated their guidance and I can return to running group course coaching alongside the 1-2-1 courses I have been running at Aston Hill Bike Park.

This means that I can get back to running the Young Rider Development Programme – DeVo and the Adult Rider Development Programme group courses.

There’s just enough time to squeeze in some Young Rider Development Courses before the end of the Summer Holidays. We are running at Level1 and DeVo Evo Course on Tuesday 25th August and a Level2 Course on Thursday 27th August. You can find out more and book your place here>>>

Again I would like to thank everyone that has supported me through these challenging times. It really means a lot to me to have you checking in and supporting me and my family in all the ways you have. I know you can’t wait to get back to improving your skills too. Thank you.

I’d also like to welcome those who have taken up or got back into Mountain Biking during lockdown. if you looking to improve your skills then have a look through the range of mountain bike skills courses we offer or get in touch. There’s no better time to get off on the right track than at the beginning and i have range of courses for riders of all ages and abilities.

Thanks again and I look forward to seeing you on Aston Hill!

DeVo Level2 Saturday Morning Courses – Winter 2020

Level2  Saturday Morning Courses:

2. Saturday 18th January – 10am – 1pm
3. Saturday 1st February – 10am – 1pm
4. Saturday 15th February – 10am – 1pm

BOOK YOUR PLACE HERE>>>

The DeVo2 Mountain Bike Skills Courses at Aston Hill Bikepark will get you riding your Mountain Bike with more confidence and speed. They are a great opportunity to meet likeminded young riders and progress your riding. From getting faster on the trails on Aston Hill through to racing at Local, Regional and National Competitions.

For young mountain bikers coming through our programme of Mountain Bike Skills Courses they build on the skills taught on the Level1 Courses. All the Training Courses Firecrest run provide an insight into the Mountain Bike Skills Essentials that enable you to get the most from your Mountain Bike.

Firecrest MTB’s DeVo Level2 Mountain Bike Skills Courses will be using all the trails on Aston Hill from the Pumptrack to the tight and technical Black Run through to the big jumps and drops on Surface to Air!

All the training is given under the watchful eye of Firecrest MTB’s highly experienced staff providing expert tuition. If you’re looking to develop your Mountain Bike Skills these are the courses for you!

Firecrest’s Mountain Bike Skills Courses are structured to provide a progressive programme of Mountain Bike Skills Training so you can come on them all or just come along on the days you can make to suit.

* All Prices subject to EventBrite Booking Fee.

MX Fitness – Alan Milway – Strength and Conditioning Workshop

Saturday 9th December – Birmingham University Sports Campus

As a Coach or a Competitor there’s always more to learn and things to improve. Anyone that thinks or dares to tells you any different hasn’t quite lost their mind but has certainly lost the opportunity to expand it. There is one thing for sure, although you might like to think you know everything this is rarely the case and in sport in particular there is one constant which is change.

Over the last 20 – 30 years the field of Sports Science has exploded with ways and means to measure and develop athletes that are beyond the wildest dreams of the professional sports men and women in the 60’s and 70’s. Although some athletes might like to hark back to a time before everything in professional sport was measured and calibrated in the 21st century its the way things are and it’s a big business.

For me continuous self improvement has always underpinned what I’ve been doing. The opportunity to perform, review, and improve, has enabled me to squeeze the best out of what I’ve been doing and to continue the push for perfection. Finding the smallest of tweaks and tuning things to find a performance advantage. When you do it often enough It becomes a habit and drives a culture that has enabled me to remain engaged in doing what I love for the past 27 years.

With that in mind I contacted Alan to ask if he offered a Coach Development Workshop that would enable me to gain an insight into the way in which he worked with his athletes. Alan came back with the cracking suggestion of coming along on one of his training days as a participant. What better way to see how he works with his athletes than to become one!

I booked onto Alan’s MX Training Workshop early in December and was eagerly looking forward to the opportunity to get to see one of the best Strength and Conditioning Coaches in Mountain Biking, in action. For those of you that have been living under a rock Alan has worked with some of the biggest names in Mountain Biking Racing from the Atherton Family to Tracy Moseley and has built a reputation on the results that the riders in his charge have achieved on the International Race Circuit.

I also managed to get Firecrest MTB DH Team Riders Chris Cockrill and Tom Shakespeare to come along with me. Chris is a seasoned FMTB DH Team Rider and young Tom is a new signing for 2018 who will be competing in the Youth Category and looking to build on his 2017 season as a Development Rider. The three of us made a very interesting cross-section of athletes for Alan. I was the oldest on the day and having spent hours in the gym training back in the day (racing Cross-County) it was going to be interesting to see how I got on and what habits I’d picked up, or forgotten over the years. Tom at 14 years old is just starting out on his strength and conditioning journey. Training at home and at school to date, this was going to be a little different to his usual PE lessons. Chris won’t mind me saying he is always at the Gym, just a beast (check out his Instagram feed at chris_cockrill) The Gym is his ‘happy place’ aside from being out on the trails and he couldn’t wait for the day to get going.

We jumped in the car and headed up the M40 to Birmingham for the day. Checking in at Birmingham Universities Sports Campus makes you instantly feel like a professional. It’s an amazing facility with every base covered from a Sports Participation and a Sports Science perspective.

We met Alan and Ray Jakeman, Head of Strength and Conditioning at The University of Birmingham our Coaches for the day just before 10am, paper work was completed and we were weighed in and ready to go. Alan ran us through the Agenda for the day before subjecting us to the first batch of tests. The morning was spent testing out our flexibility and mobility with notes made of any imbalance to address later in the session.

Testing complete Alan and Ray then ran through a batch of exercises with us, which were aimed at targeting the imbalances that we’d identified – left to right, improving balance, mobility and/or flexibility. These specific exercises were great and showed up the missing elements in my Training Programme giving me some valuable exercises I will be adding to it going forward.

This took us up to a light lunch, as there was a batch of tests ahead of us where it wasn’t going to be good to have a heavy meal sitting on your stomach. Back to the Agenda and an easy intro, using the foam roller to work on the stresses and strains of the morning by pushing and stretching the muscles loosing them up for what lay ahead. The remedial side of things has never been a speciality of mine but I could definitely feel the stresses and strains ebbing away.

The afternoons tests were aimed at measuring our strength, power and endurance. The first test was the Jump Test. A pressure mat measured our explosive power from a standing squat and then a squat jump. If you ever want to feel like you’re wearing boots made of concrete just do this test.

Then it was onto the bike. Over the years I’ve done a number of max-power and threshold tests on a bike so I knew what to expect. For Tom this was his first and it hurt, but he took it in his stride and put in a great effort and I’m sure he’ll look back at this test with fond memories when he’s smashing them out in the future! Chris on the other hand had the WattBike screaming for mercy as he blasted his way through the tests. The only time I ever enjoy these tests is when they are over and this one was no different but I was pleased with the numbers and I’ll see what Alan comes back with when he’s crunched the data.

The next test was the Supine Pull. With my ‘arms of a sparrow’ I wasn’t looking forward to this one. Chris smashed it as expected and Tom did himself proud, Then Terry stole the show as he came close to beating the all time record held by Dan Atherton, incredible strength and endurance (we later found out Terry is in the Marines). The the leg burning calf raises were next, followed by press ups. With the tests complete and paperwork handed in for Alan to crunch the data that was the day done.

From my perspective it was great to see Alan in action up close and to get his input on my own training. It’s easy to see how his approach and the strengths and opportunities he identifies give the racers he works with the edge come race day. To have Alan’s insight and the level of feedback he provides on an ongoing basis will undoubtedly make you faster on the bike. Having it for the day gave me a great personal insight into where I can make some gains and some big improvements going forward.

Those of you that have been on a Mountain Bike Skills Course with me will know that the ‘Fitness’, ‘Skills’ and ‘Nutrition’ Triangle enables riders to work with professionals on each of the elements that come together to build the perfect rider. Alan’s insight into the ‘Fitness’ point is clearly invaluable and it was great to see the gains he identified and the way in which he works with an athlete to realise those gains.

Chris and Tom came away feeling highly motivated to get over the winter hump and into the new season fitter and faster than ever. All three of us got a lot from the day and would highly recommend it to anyone thinking about booking up.

Keep an eye on MX Fitness for Alan’s dates in the New Year and if you’re looking to compliment your fitness with some MTB Skills Training check out the range of Firecrest Mountain Bike Skills Courses I offer on the Firecrest MTB Website www.firecrestmtb.com

2018 Mountain Bike Race Calendar

Firecrest MTB have put together a comprehensive guide to the Mountain Bike Races in the UK, Europe and beyond to help you plan and keep track of the 2018 race season.

You can either download the calendar as a Excel File or as a PDF for Cross Country (XC), Downhill (DH) or Enduro. Each calendar includes the World Cup and National Series dates along with the details of regional series and stand alone races.

If you’re planning your season this is a great way to make sure you don’t miss out on the must attend races of the 2018 race season.

MTB Race Calendar 2018 – Excel Download – All MTB Disciplines

MTB DH – Race Calendar 2018 – PDF – PDF Download

MTB Enduro – Race Calendar 2018 – PDF – PDF Download

MTB XC – Race Calendar 2018 – PDF – PDF Download

“Are you racing your Mountain Bike in 2018? Do you want to move up the timesheet and improve your results, or get your racing career off to the perfect start?”

Firecrest Mountain Biking have worked with some of the fastest mountain bike racers on the planet and our Race Skills Courses will have you setting the time sheets on fire! With MTB Skills Courses for Downhill, Cross-Country and Enduro with World Cup Racers in all three disciplines on our books we know how to give you the edge when it comes to race day!

Find out more and book your course here>>