Putting the client first

For the past couple of weeks I have not seen my bike, I have not pedaled even a single revolution of a crank and I have not uttered one word of cycling jargon. I have put myself through this harrowing non-cycling experience in the interests of you, our future client. Confused? Read on-

• Instead of cruising through pristine new singletrack, I've been indoors, behind a desk learning about the latest clothing gear.
• Instead of trying to improve my technique on the local dirt jump track, I've been roaming around the mountains with a compass in my hand.
• Instead of truing some abused wheels after another fantastically hard ride, I've been taught about search and rescue techniques and first aid for snake bites (the real kind, not what we mtb'ers experience all too often)

You see, I have completed the first step in becoming a qualified adventure sports guide. More specifically an 'Advanced Mountain Leader' and boy, has it been fun!

In South Africa, all guides have to have this kind of qualification. When you book your holiday be sure to ask if your guide is qualified and ask to see his badge and card. This is the best way you can be assured of getting a legal, competent guide that knows what he is doing and how to go about doing it safely!

The last 3 days of our course were practical days and we were lucky enough to do an off-trail hike in the snow covered Hex river mountain range (very close to where we do a lot of our riding). Here, we put into practice all we had learned in the classroom- Night navigation, steep ground rope work, orienteering, camp craft, search and rescue, mountain weather and a whole lot more I can't possibly fit in here.

A fantastic time was had hiking, socialising, learning and enjoying this incredible country in all it's splendour.




With all this completed, we will be able to offer an even better cycling holiday with an emphasis (as it always has been) on quality, fun and safety!

See you on the trails
Daniel