The BICP uses the Minimum Ride Standard when testing for Certification.
The BICP Certification courses are skills teaching courses, not skills learning courses.
Therefore, the participants attending the in-person certification course should be well-versed in the skills mentioned below and must be able to perform them at or above the BICP Ride Standard. The successful demonstration of these skills during the course is a prerequisite for certification. It is, therefore, mandatory for the participants to be proficient in these skills before attending the course. It is mandatory to demonstrate these skills successfully to achieve certification during the course.
Being able to perform the skill = Proficient at the skill.
Being able to teach the skill = Mastering the skill.
Please contact the BICP for information on a skills prep course if you need help meeting these ride standards.
Level 1 Prerequisites:
- BICP Ride Leader Certification. ( Included in the course fees for Level 1)
- Current First Aid & CPR certificate.
- Wilderness First Aid certification is strongly recommended.
- Three or more years of mountain bike experience.
- Volunteer work or work experience in the bike-related industry.
- At least 16 yrs. Old.
- Good communication skills.
- A strong desire to help others have more fun and progress safely.
- Ability to perform basic trailside repairs (flat tires, broken chains, and shift adjustments).
- Fluent in the English language, including reading and speaking.
Completion of the course, in addition to passing a practical exam, will qualify an individual to:
- Instruct individual or group mountain bike skills clinics in a professional, systematic, and safe manner.
- Assess the level of each rider in their group through a Pre-Ride Assessment.
- Assess and diagnose common errors within each rider’s fundamental skills.
- Prepare and implement teaching plans, progressions, and goal planning for future skills clinics.
- Make responsible choices when instructing mountain bike skills clinics.
You will be tested on the following:
- Fundamental Elements
- Skill Description
- Demonstrations
- Group Management
- Error Detection and Corrections
- Progressions
- Communication
- Leadership & Professional Conduct
Disclaimer:
Much of the written content in this manual is geared toward the 2-wheel bicycle. We hope that participants of this course will gain a deeper understanding of the different varieties of cycles in the course. As we focus on the Ten Fundamentals, be prepared to discuss how they could relate to an adaptive rider and the different adaptive cycles.
During the in-person course, the participants will learn the different body movements and skills presented in this manual on a variety of different cycles.
As no two riders are the same, not every adaptive cycle is the same. Learning to understand the different body movements on different cycles will help you when working with adaptive riders with different needs and abilities.
Goal = Balance + Stability + Control for all riders.
BICP aMTB LEVEL ONE SKILLS DEMONSTRATIONS
Neutral and Ready (aMTB Cyclist) (RIDE STANDARD)
Add a small rollable feature (less than 4 inches high). Have the riders practice the Ready Position riding over a small rollable feature while maintaining a balanced position.
Neutral and Ready (2-wheel cyclist) (RIDE STANDARD)
Add a small rollable feature (less than 4 inches high). Have the riders practice the Ready Position riding over a small rollable feature while maintaining a balanced position.
Forward and Back (aMTB Cyclist) (RIDE STANDARD)
Add rolling terrain. Have the riders practice Bike/Body Separation Forward and Back on a rolling terrain, such as a set of rollers.
Forward and Back (2-wheel cyclist) (RIDE STANDARD)
Add rolling terrain. Have the riders practice Bike/Body Separation Forward and Back on a rolling terrain, such as a set of rollers.
Side to Side (aMTB cyclists) (RIDE STANDARD)
Add a feature. Mimic a trail feature ( banked corner). Have the riders practice Bike/Body Separation Side to Side, leaning the bike while counter-steering to the opposite direction of the lean.
Side to Side (2-wheel cyclist) (Ride Standard)
Hold the Lean of the bike. Have the riders practice Bike/Body Separation Side to Side leaning the bike while counter-steering to the opposite direction of the lean, allowing the bike to drift in the direction of the lean while trying to maintain a straight line.
Braking (both cyclists) (RIDE STANDARD)
Increase speed to Jogging pace. Have the riders practice Braking on flat terrain at a jogging pace and come to a complete stop, braking at the line without going over. The 2 wheel cyclist is using a Bracing Leg.
Shifting (both cyclists) (RIDE STANDARD)
Have the riders practice Shifting into an easier gear during a gentle climb, using the surge speed, soft- pedal, and shift technique.
Ratcheting (both cyclists) (RIDE STANDARD)
Add Brake Control. Have the riders practice Ratcheting on flat ground, modulating the brakes to control speed for a minimum of three Ratchet pedal strokes.