Mountain Biking

Whether you are new to the sport or if you have had previous experience Adventure Dolphin can offer you an exciting and fun range of cycling activities. Events range from local bike rides in the Pangbourne area to weekends away from the Centre, for example, to Derbyshire, the South Downs and the Ridgeway.

It’s away from the traffic and you can cover great distances. Whether you are interested in developing your skills or fitness or enjoy the simpler aspect of leisure riding: there is something for everyone.

It’s such a great activity because:

• You can participate at any level you like
• No age limits
• Good for your health
• Takes you to new places
• Allows you to enjoy the countryside
• It’s non-polluting and good for the environment

If you’ve not ridden a bike for sometime, then we can start things slowly, as with different sports cycling does use muscles in a different way from, say, running or paddling, so you will need to adjust.

Adventure Dolphin can offer activities with qualified mountain bike leaders, who can help you develop your skills and knowledge. Bikes are available for hire from the Pangbourne Centre. We can help with the basics necessary to go onto different aspects of the sport. 

Cross country racing involves you cycling over a set course against other riders and depending upon your ability, and category of ride you enter, you will generally race over a set number of laps for perhaps anything from 20 minutes for a fun race to over two hours for elite events. 

Downhill mountain biking is where gravity comes into play! It’s not all freewheeling as milliseconds can separate event riders. If you have a thirst for speed, nerves of steel and reactions quicker than a rattlesnake, this is the sport for you!

Training and assessment for the National Mountain Bike Leader Award are available through the OTC covering leadership, theory and maintenance.

You might also like to check out courses we offer under the Bikeability scheme.

On your bike

• Take a course
• Join a club
• Go on a trip