MTB Leadership Online
Become the leader riders trust — keep your group safer, smoother, and more confident on every ride.
Are you a volunteer ride leader/sweep or an aspiring mountain bike guide who wants to sharpen your safety and group-management skills? This focused online course prepares you to operate confidently in Maine’s trails systems, whether you’re volunteering, guiding with a license, or teaching skills.
Course format
Virtual workshop series via Google Meet for three 1.5 hour sessions (March 18, 25 and April 1 7-8:30PM EST)
What you’ll learn
Legal and operational overview for Maine
Requirements and pathways for volunteer riders, licensed guides, and skills instructors
Insurance, permitting, and best practices for working with trail stewards and land managers
Group management on trail
Organizing ride groups by ability and terrain
Communication techniques, pacing, and position rotation
Managing group dynamics: confidence-building, de-escalation, and keeping mixed-ability groups safe and satisfied
Bike and helmet safety
Pre-ride bike checks and quick maintenance triage
Helmet fit and inspection protocols
Recognizing mechanical risks that mandate ride adjustments or bailouts
Emergency Plan of Action (EPA)
Creating and communicating an EPA tailored to your group size and route
Incident assessment, basic first aid priorities for common MTB injuries, and when to escalate to EMS
Evacuation and pick-up planning, roles and responsibilities, and documentation
Route planning and risk assessment
Choosing appropriate routes for group ability and objectives
Time, distance, terrain, weather, and bailout considerations
Mapping, waypoints, and contingency routes
Who this is for
Volunteer ride leaders at clubs and community groups
New or prospective Maine-licensed guides and skills instructors
Seasoned leaders wanting to reduce incidents and lead more confidently
Parks/stewards, trail volunteers, or anyone coordinating group rides
Why this course works
Designed specifically around Maine rules, trail culture, and land-usage realities
Practical, scenario-based lessons you can apply immediately
Templates and checklists you’ll use every time you lead
Small-group virtual format encourages real-time feedback and tailored advice
Add-on: In-person Ride Leader Training (optional)
Hands-on clinic focused on essential riding skills, spotting unsafe riding, and corrective coaching
Interactive group-management exercises and on-trail navigation practice
Practical drills to read riders, cue corrections safely, and enforce standards without alienating participants
Lead smarter. Keep riders safer. Build a better ride experience for everyone. Contact Still Peaking to reserve your spot and get the tools and confidence you need to lead exceptional rides in Maine.
Become the leader riders trust — keep your group safer, smoother, and more confident on every ride.
Are you a volunteer ride leader/sweep or an aspiring mountain bike guide who wants to sharpen your safety and group-management skills? This focused online course prepares you to operate confidently in Maine’s trails systems, whether you’re volunteering, guiding with a license, or teaching skills.
Course format
Virtual workshop series via Google Meet for three 1.5 hour sessions (March 18, 25 and April 1 7-8:30PM EST)
What you’ll learn
Legal and operational overview for Maine
Requirements and pathways for volunteer riders, licensed guides, and skills instructors
Insurance, permitting, and best practices for working with trail stewards and land managers
Group management on trail
Organizing ride groups by ability and terrain
Communication techniques, pacing, and position rotation
Managing group dynamics: confidence-building, de-escalation, and keeping mixed-ability groups safe and satisfied
Bike and helmet safety
Pre-ride bike checks and quick maintenance triage
Helmet fit and inspection protocols
Recognizing mechanical risks that mandate ride adjustments or bailouts
Emergency Plan of Action (EPA)
Creating and communicating an EPA tailored to your group size and route
Incident assessment, basic first aid priorities for common MTB injuries, and when to escalate to EMS
Evacuation and pick-up planning, roles and responsibilities, and documentation
Route planning and risk assessment
Choosing appropriate routes for group ability and objectives
Time, distance, terrain, weather, and bailout considerations
Mapping, waypoints, and contingency routes
Who this is for
Volunteer ride leaders at clubs and community groups
New or prospective Maine-licensed guides and skills instructors
Seasoned leaders wanting to reduce incidents and lead more confidently
Parks/stewards, trail volunteers, or anyone coordinating group rides
Why this course works
Designed specifically around Maine rules, trail culture, and land-usage realities
Practical, scenario-based lessons you can apply immediately
Templates and checklists you’ll use every time you lead
Small-group virtual format encourages real-time feedback and tailored advice
Add-on: In-person Ride Leader Training (optional)
Hands-on clinic focused on essential riding skills, spotting unsafe riding, and corrective coaching
Interactive group-management exercises and on-trail navigation practice
Practical drills to read riders, cue corrections safely, and enforce standards without alienating participants
Lead smarter. Keep riders safer. Build a better ride experience for everyone. Contact Still Peaking to reserve your spot and get the tools and confidence you need to lead exceptional rides in Maine.