Recently there has been several Mountain Bike specific clubs becoming beacon cycling clubs. Two clubs with a Mountain Bike focus who became Go-Ride Clubmark Clubs recently are Dubriders and Wycombe Summit MTB Club in Dover and Wycombe respectively.

Dubriders
Dubriders became a Go-Ride Clubmark Club in the Spring of 2009 and they are a mountain bike specific club. In fact the club have specialised further and provide excellent opportunities for young people to participate in Downhill riding and emulate the excellent Great Britain Downhill team which includes the likes of the Atherton family (Gee, Rachel and Dan), Steve Peat and Tracey Mosely and this group features National Champions, World Cup Winners and World Champions.

Downhill Mountain Bikers are amongst the most skilled bike handlers around and has close ties with Mountain Biking and BMX. The bumps, burms and jumps are very exciting and demonstrate how skilful and dramatic cycling can be. However, parents needn’t be discouraged from allowing their children the opportunity to participate with Dubriders because their involvement in the Go-Ride programme means that all young riders will experience top quality coaching and they will ensure that young riders develop the necessary skills to enjoy the excellent trails they have created in the Dover area.

Dubriders have many volunteers who help the club develop their trails and activities but the key people involved in the Clubmark process are the Coaches, Go-Ride Contact and Club Welfare Officer which positions have been filled by Mark Hodgson, Martin Bullock and Matthew O’Neil who have all undergone volunteer training to fill those roles.

For more information about the activities of Dubriders please contact martin@dubriders.co.uk.

Wycombe Summit MTB Club
Wycombe Summit MTB Club have also demonstrated that they are among the best cycling clubs in the country by demonstrating that they have excellent operating standards in Safeguarding Young People, Sports Equity, Club Management and Coaching. Based at Lotts Wood in Wycombe, the club has cross country mountain bike riding for all with prospective members invited to an introductory ride each month. 

For young people interested in racing and developing their skills Wycombe Mountain Biking will be able to help you because they host regular racing events where you can test yourself. Like Dubriders, Wycombe Summit MTB club are very inclusive and their racing calendar incorporates a racing festival where everyone in the club can get involved.

Once again it was the fantastic work by volunteers that has allowed Wycombe Summit MTB to become a beacon club with the key positions of Coach, Go-Ride Contact and Welfare Officer filled by Simon North, Clare Muir (Coaches), Alison North (Go-Ride Contact) and Dean Ricketts (Club Welfare Officer). They now enjoy free silver memberships and the use of free coaching equipment and coaching jackets. Other benefits available to both these clubs are strengthened funding bids as well as being able to claim discount on British Cycling coaching courses.

For more information about the activities of Wycombe Summit MTB Club please visit www.summitmtb.co.uk, or contact summitmtb@gmail.com.