Tag Archives: MTB Skill

Easter Holiday DeVo Courses

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Firecrest Mountain Biking have a packed programme of courses this Easter Holidays. With DeVo Level1 10am – 12pm and DeVo Evo 1pm – 3pm  for rider from 8-12yrs of age on Tuesday 4th April and Tuesday 11th April and DeVo Level2 from 10am – 4pm for riders from 12-16yrs of age on Thursday 6th April and Thursday 13th April.

Latest Dates –

DeVo Level2 – Saturday 1st April
9.30am – 12.30pm – 12-16yrs of age
Rushmere Country Park
Book your place here>>>

DeVo Level1 – Tuesday 4th April
10am – 12pm – 8-12rs of age
Rushmere Country Park
Book your place here>>>

DeVo Evo – Tuesday 4th April
1pm – 3pm – 8-12rs of age
Rushmere Country Park
Book your place here>>>

DeVo Level2 – Thursday 6th April
10am – 4pm – 12-16yrs of age
Rushmere Country Park
Book your place here>>>

DeVo Level1 – Tuesday 11th April
10am – 12pm – 8-12rs of age
Rushmere Country Park
Book your place here>>>

DeVo Evo – Tuesday 11th April
1pm – 3pm – 8-12rs of age
Rushmere Country Park
Book your place here>>>

DeVo Level2 – Thursday 13th April
10am – 4pm – 12-16yrs of age
Rushmere Country Park
Book your place here>>>

Location

DeVo is run by Firecrest Mountain Biking at Rushmere Country Park. Click here for directions

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

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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

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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 20th February – 9.30am – 1pm

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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 20th February 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.

 

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

by

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

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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>>>

Aston Hill Bike Park – Temporary Closure for Tree Felling and Re-investment.

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Just as I thought 2020 couldn’t throw any more curved balls, I get the news that Aston Hill Bike Park won’t be re-opening after the second Lockdown and that it will have to close for 6-8 months so that the large number of ash trees with ‘chalara ash dieback’ can be felled by Forestry England.

Aston Hill Bike Park has been the home of my Firecrest Mountain Biking business in various forms for 23 years, so in many ways I see Aston Hill Bike Park as a ‘member of my family’. I have spent thousands of hours on ‘the Hill’ riding, racing, promoting Races, trail building and skills coaching. It has generated so many good memories, friends and standout moments which means this news has been a devastating blow, especially coming on the back of such a challenging year with the Covid-19 Pandemic.

For 22 years I have run Mountain Bike Skills Courses at Aston Hill Bike Park, returning to run them full time again from 2015. Firecrest Mountain Biking is my sole source of income so my first thoughts on hearing the news of the closure was to source a local alternative. Fortunately the staff at Rushmere Country Park on the outskirts of Leighton Buzzard, 15 miles from Aston Hill, have welcomed me with open arms. It’s a fantastic venue for my Mountain Bike Skills Training. What it lacks in the elevation we enjoy on Aston Hill it makes up for with a series of short feature filled ‘gravity trails’ and a winding 6 kilometre cross-country trail that has some excellent sections for training.

The best news is that I can continue to offer my full programme of Skills Courses and Training for riders of all ages and abilities across the mountain bike disciplines of Downhill, Enduro and Cross-Country. The even better news for those that found the ground conditions, particularly in the wet, challenging on Aston Hill you’ll be pleased to hear that Rushmere Country Park sits on the Greensands Ridge and has very similar ground conditions to Woburn/Aspley/Chicksands with the sandy loam surface offering up lots of year round grip.

If you have a Course booked I’ll be in touch with all the details you need on your booking and the new venue.If you haven’t got round to booking your Course find out more on our website www.firecrestmtb.com . I look forward to seeing you for some training in the future at Rushmere.

Firecrest is not leaving Aston Hill for good. The silver lining to this cloud is that this is a chance for Aston Hill Bike Park to get a much needed make over, refresh the ageing trails and new trail sections to be added. With heavy machinery coming in to carry out the felling works there will be some sections of trail that will be unrecognisable once the the trees are gone. Over 300 plus trees of concern are peppered across the Hill and other trees are being thinned to improve the woodland ecology. Aston Hill will look a little different when we return which should offer up some great options when it comes to refurbishing the trails.

I’ll be working with Bike Park Chilterns CIC (Community Interest Company) to ensure Aston Hill Bike Park can come back better than ever and we can get back to riding the trails that we’ve all come to know and love and with an added new twist. Keep an eye on my social media feeds for updates, the latest on the work being carried out on Aston Hill, and the Skills Courses I’m running at Rushmere Country Park.

See you on the trails!

DeVo Level1, DeVo Evo and Level2 – Summer Holidays 2020

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It’s been a long break due to Covid-19 but Firecrest Mountain Biking’s popular Young Rider Development Programme known as ‘DeVo’ for short is back with 3 courses at the end of the Summer Holidays.

Level1 Summer Holiday Courses

Tuesday 25th August – 10am – 12pm – Book Here>>>

The DeVo1 Courses are for Mountain Bikers aged from 8 years to 12 years old looking to develop their Mountain Bike Skills. They will get you riding your Mountain Bike with more confidence. They are a great opportunity to meet likeminded young riders and progress your riding and get out and experience the trails on Aston Hill.

DeVo Evo Summer Holiday Courses

Tuesday 25th August – 1pm – 3pm – Book Here>>>

Introducing the latest of Firecrest Mountain Biking’s Young Rider Development Programme’s (DeVo) popular Holiday MTB Skills Training Courses. The DeVo Evo Course (Short for ‘Development’ ‘DeVo’ and ‘Evolution’ ‘Evo’) is for young riders that aren’t old enough or ready to ride at Level2 but are looking to progress their skills to more challenging terrain on Aston Hill.

Please Note: – This Courses is for Mountain Bikers aged from 8 years to 12 years old who have attended 4 or more Level1 DeVo Courses or have been adivsed by Ian to book on this course and are looking to progress their skills.

DeVo Level 2 Summer Holiday Courses

Thursday 27th August – 10am – 4pm – Book 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.

DeVo Level2 Saturday Morning Courses – Spring 2020

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1. Saturday 29th February – 10am – 1pm
2. Saturday 14th March – 10am – 1pm
3. Saturday 28th March – 10am – 1pm
4. Saturday 11th April – 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.

DeVo Level2 Saturday Morning Courses – Winter 2019

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1. Saturday 9th November – 10am – 1pm
2. Saturday 23rd November – 10am – 1pm
3. Saturday 7th December – 10am – 1pm
4. Saturday 14th December – 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.