How Courses are Planned
Most are the result of people getting together and asking me to put a course on for them. One person is keen on getting cycling and talks all their work colleagues into doing the course with them. A company may ask me to do a course as it is the best way to get their staff into work in the morning and it reduces absenteeism considerably. The logistics of getting all your friends in one place are a nightmare, but it can be done.
Most are the result of people getting together and asking me to put a course on for them. One person is keen on getting cycling and talks all their work colleagues into doing the course with them. A company may ask me to do a course as it is the best way to get their staff into work in the morning and it reduces absenteeism considerably. The logistics of getting all your friends in one place are a nightmare, but it can be done.
If only one or two of you want training I can add you to a course that I organise. I do not always put these courses on this page so do give me a ring or e-mail and I will register your interest and inform you of upcoming events.
Grown Ups You Really Do Need All Levels
I think that adults should do a full level 1, 2 and 3 set of courses. It works out much cheaper for the student and it really is necessary. I can train you, if you would like, to go onto very busy roads, but advanced cycling is built upon a foundation of basic safe practice at the simple end.
Most adults feel they can ride a bike and just need to be shown the scary stuff, and one lesson should do it. This can be the case some times, and adults do whiz through the level 1 course. But I do need to know that you can ride well enough to go out onto a busy road, as I am responsible for your safety. We all have gaps at the very simple end and doing your cycling proficiency and getting a badge is great fun.
These course end with being able to ride around major roundabouts, and use traffic lights and dual carriageways, but older children can join in, so a parent could do this with a 11+ year old. It may be the case that I feel the younger person should not progress to level 3 for a while, but that mum or dad should continue. The best way that parents can keep their children safe cycling on the road is to have the training themselves.
These course end with being able to ride around major roundabouts, and use traffic lights and dual carriageways, but older children can join in, so a parent could do this with a 11+ year old. It may be the case that I feel the younger person should not progress to level 3 for a while, but that mum or dad should continue. The best way that parents can keep their children safe cycling on the road is to have the training themselves.
