Welcome to Talks with Travis!
Travis Brown – Instructor Trainers and will be hosting conference calls about topics that will help you hone your skills instruction. Our development as an instructor doesn’t stop when you pass your certification course. Getting better at teaching and connecting with your participants is ever-changing. It can take time to develop the tools for becoming an incredible instructor and through these meetings, we will be giving you some shortcuts to accelerate your growth and establish a strong community of Mountain Bike Instructors.
January 18, 2023 -Bike Maintenance
February 1, 2023 – Flat v Clipless pedals
February 8, 2023 – Spring Preparation
February 15, 2023 – Let’s talk about EGO
March 15, 2023 – Riding Etiquette
March 29, 2023 – Guiding Strategies
April 26, 2023 – Front Wheel Lift Skill Break Down
May 10, 2023
Map and Compass Skills pt 1
This week we will be talking about Map and Compass Navigation! Being able to use a map effectively will serve as an excellent backup to the digital forms of navigation we use most frequently. This session will be focused on getting to know your map and compass, identifying features on topographic maps, and how to get the map to align with the real world. This skill will be great for your guiding but also just for life in general! Join us at 6 MDT to learn more!
May 24, 2023
Skill Breakdown- Rear Wheel Lifts
In April we talked, in-depth, about lifting our front wheel off the ground. As we are working to clear bigger features we will need to get our rear wheel in the air too! This week we are focused on how to coach the rear wheel lift more effectively and practice our error detection and correction for this skill!
See you at 6 MDT!
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87535181854?pwd=N2xrNlJicEFLczhmNHY5dEdrK0RRdz09
This week we are continuing to focus on Map and Compass Navigation! We will be focused on some next-level Map and Compass skills.
1. Understanding Declination
2. Taking and Following a bearing
3. Triangulation
Before attending please check out our Map and Compass Part 1 Talk from May 10th, 2023. This will help make sure you have all the prerequisite information needed to understand these concepts.
See you at 6 Mountain Daylight Time!
Map and Compass Part 1 Link- https://vimeo.com/bicp/mapandcompasspart1?share=copy
Zoom Link- https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83511901502?pwd=dmtmT3RZRzByZG1ZczhUOFdteGl1UT09
Wednesday, June 21 – Building Your Instructor Tool Kit
This week on Talks with Travis we will be going through ways to build up your instructor tool kit! We will stay focused on the tools that elevate our teaching, like cones, skinnies, ramp options, and anything else you have questions about!
Make sure your participants are getting all they can out of your courses by having a solid set of instructor tools.
See you on June 21st at 6 Mountain Daylight Time!
Zoom Link- https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88619241812?pwd=a2ZvZlJ5cTBXMFcyOWxqaWdKTVQxUT09
June 22, 2022
Week 1- Welcome to Talks with Travis and 10 Fundamentals Discussion
We will lay the groundwork for what these calls are intended to do a review, in-depth, of the 10 Fundamental Elements.
June 29, 2022
Week 2- Working with Kids
This week will break down some of the strategies for teaching kids! We will be focussing on changes that we need to make to keep kids engaged, motivated, and happy while learning new skills on their bikes.
July 6, 2022
Week 3- Working with Adults
We will need to adjust our teaching strategies when working with adults just like with kids. This call will address some of the best strategies and things to be aware of when working with adults of various skill levels.
July 13, 2022
Week 4 – Guiding v. Skill Instruction
Depending on the program’s goal, the emphasis we put on creating a fun experience and skill development will shift. This week we will discuss the differences between leading a guided ride and technical skill instruction, identifying when we need to shift one way or another, and strategies for finding the appropriate balance between the two. Mike Holme, from Magpie Cycling in Moab, UT, will bring his expertise and his experience to the talk so we all have ways to leave our riders stoked to get out again.
July 20, 2022
Week 5 – Team Teaching and Co-instructing
Having more than one instructor on a course is a great way to increase the chances that your participants will get the knowledge they need to improve their riding. It’s very important that the team of instructors presents a unified message while being professional and collaborative. This week will focus on the best ways to work on a team, specifically; planning, communication, and ego management.
July 27, 2022
Week 6 – Incident Management and Response
This week we will be breaking down a “major incident” that occurred on the trails with Jay Thomas, BICP Instructor Trainer, and Owner of Roots MTB, in St. Louis. We will talk about what led up to the incident, how it was managed, and what could have been done to prevent the incident from occurring.
August 3, 2022
Week 7 – Post Incident practices
After an incident occurs in our program it’s important that we provide care for them on the day that it happens and after they leave the course. This is not only great customer service but can also help protect us in the event the patient claims negligence. We will be covering helpful tips on how to handle follow-up conversations, the importance of understanding your waivers, and ways to prevent you from becoming liable. This conversation will be helpful for working through those problems and we encourage you to consult a lawyer for the drafting of your waiver and for any litigation that may occur.
August 10, 2022
Week 8 – Starting a Coaching Business
This week we will be joined by Angela Martin Brooks of Brooks Adventures. Angela is an Instructor Trainer for the BICP, coaches kids and adults, and volunteers a ton of time to support NICA coaches. We will talk through the process that she went through establishing her coaching business in Wisconsin. Angela will provide insights on the steps it takes to start a business, acquire insurance, determine your program assortment and so much more!
August 17, 2022
Week 9 – Adaptive Riding and Coaching
We are so excited to be talking about Adaptive mountain biking with Mark Berens of the Adaptive Sport Center in Crested Butte, Colorado. Mark has spent years working on translating upright riding skills to adaptive bikes. The work he does as an Adaptive Instructor Trainer for the BICP is making the activity we love more accessible. Join us to learn more about adaptive mountain biking!
August 24, 2022
Week 10 – DIY Level-1 Skill Features
Adding constructed features to your skills clinics will help keep your participants engaged, challenged, and excited to push themselves. This week we will talk about 3 constructed features that are simple to make and will help your riders push themselves. We will talk about making beginner “log” features, skinnies, and drops that will add so much value to your programs.
August 31, 2022
Week 11 – Measuring Success
There are many ways to measure success in the clinics that we teach! How do we know what to focus on? This week we will look at what questions need to be asked, what metrics will be beneficial to track, and the less concrete measures of success that are important to consider.
September 7, 2022
Week 12 – Developing Curriculum
This week on Talks with Travis, we will discuss building a curriculum for your program. We will work through an outline template that can be used to create thorough lesson plans in an efficient amount of time. Creating new and highly organized programs will help broaden the scope of your instruction and help you work with new groups of people.
September 14, 2022
Week 13 – Getting ready to Level Up
As instructors, we are very focused on improving the riding of our participants but we can’t lose focus on our own skill development! This week we will be going over some strategies to keep your personal riding progressing and tips for preparing for the next level of BICP certification!
September 21, 2022
Week 14 – Skills Breakdown-Cornering
Cornering is a skill that riders of all levels can continue to practice and improve on. This week will be going in-depth on what to look for in proper Level-1 cornering technique. Through videos and group discussion we will deepen our understanding and hone our error detection and correction for this skill.
This session is open to Instructors with a BICP Level-1 Certification and higher.
September 28, 2022
Week 15 -Skill Breakdown-Rock dodge
This week we will be breaking down the skill of the Rock Dodge! This is a versatile skill that can lead to easier climbs and smoother lines through rock gardens. We will review the skill, talk about how we can maximize our participants’ growth, and work on error detection and correction for this timing-focused skill.
This session is only open to BICP Level-1, 2, or 3 Certified Instructors
October 5, 2022
Week 16 -Shorter Riders
This week we will be joined by BICP Instructor Trainer, Kelly Hazelgrove, to talk about working with shorter riders! We will be going over changes in our center of mass, moves that need to be emphasized, and tons of other tips for getting your shorter riders to progress!
This session is only open to BICP Level-1, 2, or 3 certified instructors
October 12, 2022
Week 17 -BICP Website Navigation
This week we will be talking about how to get the most out of the BICP website! We are going deep into the discounts, partnerships, and resources that are available to you as a member of the BICP. Be ready with some questions!
October 19, 2022
Week 18 -Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
This week on Talks with Travis we will be joined by Mackenzie Fuqua, the Head of the Employee Equality Committee for the Outdoor Gear Exchange in Burlington, VT, to talk about diversity, equity, and inclusion in the mountain bike world. We will hear about the current initiatives going on in VT and learn what we can do to make mountain biking more accessible for everyone!
October 26, 2022
Week 19 – Hosting a course
Do you wish there was a BICP Certification or skills prep course near you? Tonight we will talk about all the benefits of hosting a course and the steps to go through to make it happen. Help build up the mountain bike community in your area by hosting a certification course!
November 2, 2022
Week 20 -Skill Breakdown-Small Circles
Tonight we will be breaking down the skill Small Circles! This challenging skill is great for improving the balance and stability of your riders at slow speeds. We will work through error detection for this skill and talk through some games so you can continue to improve your riders!
November 16, 2022
Week 21 – Managing your Social Media Account
This week on Talks with Travis we will be joined by BICP Instructor Trainer, Joanna Yates. Joanna is a powerhouse on the bike and on social media. Our focus is going to be how to manage your social media accounts in the context of the mountain bike industry. Come learn how to gain followers and influence on social media! Check out what Joanna is up to @joannajyates on IG!
December 7, 2022
Week 22 -Talks with Travis- Garage Skills
Getting outside on our bikes through the winter can be challenging! Finding ways to keep working on your skills through the cold season will help keep you sharp for next Spring. This week we are going to talk through some fun slow-speed skills that will help you build more balance and control that you can all be done in your garage or small covered area! We will be talking through trackstands and their many variations, rocking, and rear wheel hops. These are all challenging skills that will provide hours of entertainment through the snowy season. See you there!