Mountain Bike Instructing and Patrolling

Introduces National Ski Patrol (NSP) competencies and curriculum for certification in mountain bike touring and mountain bike patrolling. Topics include hazard assessment and safety, technical knowledge and skills development, decision-making and judgement, instructional and leadership abilities in a mountain biking/trail biking environment including remote forest trails with sand, mud, slick rock faces, and loose terrain. This course progresses from carriage paths to steep single-track trails. Students participate in regional field trips to state forests and trail systems.

Students participate in off-campus field trips. Students assume any travel and permit/pass costs associated with field trips. Students provide their own well-maintained mountain bike and bike helmet. Bike and helmet rentals can be arranged with advanced notice.

Recommended pre-requisites: Wilderness First Responder and/or Outdoor Emergency Care certification preferred.

A student who successfully completes this course will be able to:

1. Perform a bicycle safety check to identify whether equipment is in safe and working order before use.
2. Describe different types of bikes and their components.
3. Perform basic bicycle maintenance in the field.
4. Describe, apply, and demonstrate mountain biking instructional techniques for maneuvering and controlling a mountain bike over rough terrain including carriage paths, single-track trails, and how to climb and descend steep and winding trails.
5. Manage a group of cyclists to avoid accidents, injuries, and missing riders.
6. Recognize hazards associated with mountain biking and apply procedures to minimize and avoid such
hazards and describe standard practices for scene management.
7. Explain various methods of transportation/evacuation use by bike patrollers.