Before the ride began we had full introductions from our coaches for the day, and everybody in the group was asked to introduce themselves and share their Mountain Biking experience.

After all the intros were complete we had an equipment check including an "M" check on the bikes checking for the usual signs of wear and tear or missed items from having the bike broken down into the back of the car. Quick releases, headsets, cranks, tyres and so on were all checked before we went over our own kit and making sure all helmets were of a good fit.

The first riding sessions of the day was covering a Core skills session. The Core Skills coaching course gives you a foundation in core mountain bike skills that you can apply to any terrain, in any location, in any conditions. Following the training both total novices and intermediate riders should see an immediate improvement in their riding. Even long time advanced MTB riders on the day found the course helpful in guiding them to the next level by focusing on their fundamentals and refreshing their memories on skills lost over time. The core skills including aspects such as Core body position, dynamic weight shift, effective braking, cornering skills and negotiating steep terrain.

The core skills session was extremely useful for all the riders on the day. There was a good mix of beginners through to long term experienced mountain bikers but everybody found the core skills enlightening. Even riders who had been to coaching sessions before or had been racing downhill or cross country for years had flaws in their riding and the core skills session helped iron out the creases and get everyone riding much better by the end of the session. The course was also of great help to a couple of beginner riders that joined us, not only did it help them with their riding but it also helped no end with their confidence too.

For lunch we ended up back at The Volunteer public house and most of us enjoyed a huge Burger - albeit not the most healthy option it certainly got us fueled up for the afternoon ahead. The Volunteer Pub infact is very inviting to bikers (and mud), and even includes a hose outside for bike washing. If you are riding in this part of the World I would highly recommend popping in for your mid or post ride refreshments.

In the afternoon we all took part in the further skills session, which for us included singletrack skills, and working on a lot of the basic core skills that we had learnt that morning. It was really good to be able to put the core skills to real use to make you faster and smoother on the trails. The singletrack course took place on the 'Telegraph Poles' track (in Hurtwood) which was a fantastically long singletrack descent including various roots, step downs, drop offs and fast corners. This made a fantastic location to put all our core skills into practice on some real trail obstacles.

Several of the attending club riders on the day were keen to become Mountain Biker leaders and/or Coaches so during the singletrack skills session our group was split into two groups and whilst one group was riding the other group was briefed on several aspects of being an MTB leader/coach. Although this isn't part of the normal beginner Core Skills session is was of great use to us all. Danielle went over exactly what kit she both recommended and carried when she is leading rides or coaching, we also went over different aspects of kit choice depending on the locations we may be riding. We went over various aspects of kit choice, what to take, costs of items before looking in more depth into the first aid side of things. Danielle showed us various first aid items that she carried and recommend, and we all looked at various items and discussed reasons behind carrying them. For all of whether interested in just riding socially, or going onto lead or coach it was a very good session just to go over different ideas and to look at both riding items (spares etc) and first aid items that are useful to carry.

Once the singletrack sessions and the kit choice discussions had ended, we all headed off for a great loop of the local woods, taking in some fantastic trails and a huge climb to get up to the summit of the Holmbury Hill to see quite possibly one of the most picturesque Countryside views to be had in South East England.

On the way back down from the top we took in another local favourite trail called the 'Yogurt Pots' (also in the Hurtwood) - this track was a fantastic fun descent through a vast series of bombholes. The trail had a very natural flow and featured everything from jumps and drops, berms, off camber sections and bombholes (oh and the odd bike swallowing puddle!). The trail was that good we just had to go back and do it again!!! Again everybody agreed that the core skills and singletrack skills and sessioning practice from earlier in the day really made a massive impact to their riding and how smooth they were on the trails.

On the return to the Volunteer Pub to pack up for the day we all went through Feedback with Danielle and Jessica, both on the riding, and on plans of action for the future including club course days. After another cup of coffee in the Pub we all very gratefully received a goodie bag before swopping contact details and heading off for the drive home.

Another item of interest for you is that Astounding Adventures would like to offer our bucksmtb members a 10% discount across the board on all of our skills courses; mountain biking, hill walking and rock climbing. If you are interested please contact us by email alternatively we will be sending an 'interest offer' out via our regular email newsletter (you can sign up on our homepage) to see if there are any of you interested in a bucksmtb group course in the future.

A massive shout of thanks has to go out from us to Danielle and Jessica for putting on a real treat of a day. Not only was it a fantastic training session it was also great to meet other clubs and to swop ideas regarding Club activities, group rides, and day trips away.

Another big thank you has to go out to all the riders from the other clubs that made the day a hugely pleasurable riding and social occasion, and we look forward to working with them all on riding plans for 2010/2011...watch this space...

There are courses to cover all aspects of riding for beginners right through to advanced techniques for the more experienced riders out there. For Michael and I who attended, we couldn't recommend these courses enough - why not try a course for yourself?

For more information on courses from Astounding Adventures you can click onto www.astoundingadventures.co.uk , or call Danielle and Jessica on 0800 756 6999