Admit it: you’ve thought about it at least once or twice. Many of us imagine giving up our commute-and-cubicle lifestyle and making a living out on the mountain bike trail, guiding out-of-state riders with money to spend through scenic and challenging terrain. But what does it actually take to become a professional mountain bike guide?
SingletrackWorld posted an article this week about a course run by the UK’s National Cycling Organization that teaches mountain bikers to become mountain bike guides. The article is pretty sparse on details but does bring up some good points about skills mountain bike guides need to be successful. It turns out being a good mountain biker who enjoys riding isn’t enough – here are just a few skills you’ll need to be a good professional mountain bike guide:
1. Positive attitude and mad people skills: When riders pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars to go on a mountain bike tour they expect to have a great time and it’s up to the guide to make sure that happens. In the face of horrible trail conditions, the guide has to put on a positive spin on things and customer service is hugely important. Don’t agree with the idea that the customer is always right? Perhaps you shouldn’t become a mountain bike guide.
2. Patience is a virtue: Yep, you’ve heard this one before but as a mountain bike guide the fact is you’ll be riding with generally slower folks who aren’t familiar with the local terrain. Mountain bike guiding isn’t like riding with your buddies every weekend – some days it’s more like riding with your grandmother or nephew. It takes a tremendous amount of restraint to avoid bombing downhills past your clients or smoking everyone to the top of a climb. Many times you’ll feel like the expert skier on the bunny slope teaching hopeless newbs to snow plow.
3. First aid training is a must. On backcountry biking tours and trips you’ll be taking clients into potentially dangerous situations and the chance for injuries is high. Keep in mind that if a client breaks a leg, you’ll be the one carrying them out. Scrapes and bruises are easier to handle but your bike will need to be a rolling first aid kit to avoid lawsuits (though even this isn’t any guarantee). Be prepared with supplies, communication equipment, extra water, food, and warm clothing – you never know what out-of-towners will get themselves into on the trail!
4. Bike repair skills: In addition to being a trained first-responder and an expert communicator, mountain bike guides also need to be well versed in field-repair techniques for all types of bikes. Flat tires are a given but what will you do if one of your clients tacos a rim after an overly ambitious jump? Planning routes with multiple exit points along the way is a good idea so your assistants can deliver bike parts, food, water, etc. mid-ride if necessary. Nobody wants to remember their mountain bike vacation by the long walk they had to make with a broken bike. Plus that’s not the way to build repeat business 😉
5. Business skills: Running a mountain bike tour company yourself is serious business and if you’re not well versed in accounting, marketing, sales, and the like you may be in over your head. Also keep in mind that hobbies like mountain biking can be ruined for you once they become a job. If you’re serious about starting a MTB guide service or tour company, try working for an established outfit for a summer to make sure it’s the right thing for you before you invest your nest egg.
6. Logistical engineering: A mountain bike vacation has more moving parts than most “normal” vacations and you’ll be responsible for making things easy on your clients. Transporting bikes and luggage to/from airports, arranging accommodations, and planning meals are just some of the unglamorous things mountain bike guides are responsible for. On top of that you need to plan killer rides plus evening entertainment and relaxation for your guests to make a memorable trip. Word of mouth is huge in the mountain bike touring biz so everything about your trip needs to be smooth as butter.
Whew. If, after all that, you’re still thinking about becoming a mountain bike guide then I’d say you should go for it. Obviously it takes a unique person with strong skills and the ability to lead great employees to operate a successful mountain bike tour company. Interested in going on a great MTB vacation as a client? Check out our catalog of mountain bike tours around the world!
