Mountain Biking - mountainbike guiding job

Hello!!

I am looking for work as a mountain bike guide. I have been riding and racing for the last 13 years in New Zealand and Australia, and have worked in bike shops doing both sales and mechanics in both countries. I am looking to work doing what I love for a living, and I am not too worried just where in the world. If anyone has contacts or suggestions of mtbike guiding comapanies I could ask for a position with, please do not hesitate to tell me!!!

Any suggestions appreciated, oh and a a couple of general areas that would be of great interest for me are

Peru/Bolivia/Chile
Switzerland/France/Germany

Thanks

Zane

Sounds like nice work if you can get it!

Good luck.

Question??

This type of work requires not only certifications but also some pretty unique skills outside of being able to ride a moutain bike.
First, do you have the required certifications that will be asked for by your employer (i.e. EMT-B or WFR or WEMT; CPR/Defib: SAR, et. al). And for skills, the big one is always can you teach, are you capable of leading and being trusted with a group in a wilderness setting for an extended period, can you make sound decisions under stress or fatigue, do you have skills in risk management and know the differance between an objective risk and a subjective risk....
But don't give up the hunt for this type of work, it's great fun (I spent two summers in the Sierras as a mountain bike guide), but be prepared. The more that you can offer an employer in certifications, and a diverse range of skills the better the pay.....

I imagine New Zealand has some form of mountain leader/mountain rescue training. Probably worth getting certified, even if its nothing to do with cycling.

Thanks guys, yes, I have a lot of experience guiding people, not just mtbiking, but mtclimbing, tramping (hiking for you americans) and kayaking as well. I know CPR, and have done many SAR excercises...including some real ones, I am plenty qualified, and know that I am a good teacher and leader, and was just looking for some companies that might need a guide...

''First, do you have the required certifications that will be asked for by your employer (i.e. EMT-B or WFR or WEMT; CPR/Defib: SAR, et. al).''

Hi

I'm thinking about becoming a ride guide. I'm a decent rider and I can perform some basic repairs (adjusting cable tension, brakes etc.) but other than that I have none of the skills mentioned above.
Can anyone tell me what they stand for and how I should get those certificates?
DO you truly need to be an allround survival person simply to become a ride guide? Or is this only true for places like america, where rides are in a remote wilderness setting.
I live in Holland so the logical choice would be to start off working somewhere in Europe (alps, meditearranean). Rides tend to be located around touristy settings, so theres not much wilderness to speak off.
Can anyone offer me some tips? Are there mtb guiding courses in Europe?

Originally posted by art vandelay
''First, do you have the required certifications that will be asked for by your employer (i.e. EMT-B or WFR or WEMT; CPR/Defib: SAR, et. al).''

Hi

I'm thinking about becoming a ride guide. I'm a decent rider and I can perform some basic repairs (adjusting cable tension, brakes etc.) but other than that I have none of the skills mentioned above.
Can anyone tell me what they stand for and how I should get those certificates?
DO you truly need to be an allround survival person simply to become a ride guide?
I'm not an expert on any of this. I'm just offering my 2¢.
I'd say being CPR certified (cardio pulmonary resuscitation) should be required. What if some out of shape "tourist" was in your group and started having chest pains???
And being a certified EMT (emergency medical tech) would be nice too. What if the same guy fell of his bike and broke his arm or fractured a rib or got bit by a snake???

You can probably find out about these skills through the Red Cross, American Medical Assoc., American Heart Assoc., etc.
I don't know the European counterparts.
Good luck.

Thanks, Ill have a look into that.

Yep, I presume those are essential skills for any good outdoor guide.

**sigh**

I just wanted some names of companies....but I guess this aint a discussion forum for nothing

I did not know what half those abbreviations were, but have done a number of first aid/wilderness first aid/emergency training courses as they are necessary for where I am often out playing. Thankfully I have not had to use them too many times...a couple of broken bones and twisted joints....nothing too serious...but with mtbiking being the sport it is...there is the potential for nastiness.....very advisable to know what to do if something like this does happen...

Zane, here's a few sites I ran into.

http://www.alpactive.com

http://www.gravitybolivia.com

http://www.rad-international.de/index1.htm

http://www.cyclery.com/fcgi-bin/query.fcgi/ws/touring_a-z.cfg?kw=M&mpp=25:crash:

Zane, maybe you can register this; http://www.outdoorstaff.co.uk/

I don`t know if it works, but it`s something, cheers!

Pick up any issue of Bike Magazine or any others and look in their "Classified" sections. There are tons of advertisements for touring companies. I'll try to get some names for you over the weekend. That's where I would start!

L8R