Off-Road Cycling Permit Training and Assessment
January 11, 2025 - January 12, 2025
GET A PERMIT TO TAKE SCOUTS OFF-ROAD CYCLING
Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th January 2025, both morning and afternoon sessions.
Leaders will need to attend all sessions.
09:00 – 12:30
13:30 – 17:00
We may need to be flexible here due to numbers of leaders who express an interest.
This course is open to
- Leaders in the Scout Association
- Over 18s only.
- Any leader who wants training and assessment for a new permit in Off-Road Cycling for Environment 1
N.B. Those who cannot make this course and want training and assessment in Off-Road Cycling for a new permit need to look out for a future training course in 2026 on the Cheshire Scout Website.
You need to make your own way to the scout hall.
This course is free, all expenses are being met by the county under the condition that leaders use their permit with youngsters as soon as possible.
Course Includes
- There will be a full run through of the Off-Road Cycling syllabus and any implications. From initialising the activity right through to seeing the youngsters leaving the activity.
- Coffee, tea and biscuits
Does not include
- The provision of bikes, helmets, clothes … see the kit list. But some gear can be provided by arrangement, e.g. small rucksack, first aid kits, bivy bags, shelters… but you need to ask me beforehand…
- Lunches
Contact Details
- Pete Goodger 07769831919
- Pete.Goodger@cheshirescouts.org.uk
About the Course
We are training Cheshire leaders in Off-Road Cycling Environment 1. The aim is to have more permitted leaders who can take youngsters out. We realise that with the lack of training many leaders have no current valid permit. These sessions are an attempt to put this right. By the end of the two days you should have completed the training and have a new permit.
We will cover The Scout Assessment Checklist (Code AC120920 January/23 Edition No7)
- Responsibilities
- Group Management
- Risk assessment
- Weather
- Technical
- Emergency procedures
- Equipment
Plan of the sessions
The schedule will be something like this:
Day 1 – Instruction Day
Meet at Cuddington and Sandiway Scout Hall at the start time 09:00
- Introductions and talk about the aim of the first day
- Talk about the pre activity elements you should have covered before a scout session
- Presentations
- POR and the Law
- The leaders in turn will take charge of the different tasks of a cycling session where the rest act as Scouts or Explorer Scouts
- Table activities and scenarios
- Bike control
- Lunch – bring one!!!
- Out and about
- Group Control
- Activities while on the bike – not just cycling!
- Putting the kit away and looking after it, tyres, chains, gears and tubes – see checklist
Day 2 – Assessment Day
- Meet at Cuddington and Sandiway Scout Hall at the start time 09:00
- Welcome and talk about the aim of day 2
- Recap and any questions
- Paper exercises
- Out and about
- Lunch – bring one!!!
- Group Control in Green and Blue
- Navigation assessed
- Return, feedback, review and closure…
Before the permit is given…
- We need to see a risk assessment for running a cycling session at Forest Camp or similar for a group that you are most likely to cycle with,
- a programme or list of activities you could do with that group during the event,
- an online application for a permit together with a log of recent rides.
POR
Hopefully you all know about the Scout’s Policy, Organisation & Rules for cycling? If not, then have a read before the weekend.
POR Rules relating to Off Road Cycling
Rule 9.7 Adventurous Activities Permit Scheme
Rule 9.8 Adult Groups Undertaking Activities
Rule 9.12.4 Cycling
Rule 9.12.6 Hill walking party size
POR General activity rules
Rule 9.1 All Activities
Rule 9.6 Use of External Centres and Instructors
Kit List
This is not a definitive kit list but really the key things to think about.
| On the bike essentials | ||
| Bike | must be well adjusted and well maintained | |
| Helmet | Worn at all times and must be well-fitting and well maintained | |
| Windproof jacket and other layers (?) | You, as leader, must not get cold at any time and these could always be kept in a rucksack until needed, don’t leave home without them!! | |
| Insulating layer / base layer | If cycling in summer (avoid cotton t-shirts) | |
| Long trousers? | depending on the time of year a leg and arm covering can be great value | |
| Footwear | Firm trainers, firm shoes,… anything that helps you walk across rough muddy ground | |
| Glasses | Eye protection will be useful through brambles etc. | |
| Gloves | With fingers in them | |
| Watch | or any other reliable method of telling the time | |
| Sun cream/lip protection | Even a cloudy day can get my nose! | |
| Food for lunch | To be taken with us on a ride, so… | |
| Small Rucksack | Or similar, panniers(?) | |
| Bottle(s) of water | Or hydration bladder pack | |
| Bike repair kit | For your bike – hanger? Innertube? Levers? Pump? | |
| Map OS No 267 – Northwich & Delamere Forest | Group kit – this will be providedI use dash4it.co.uk for new maps | |
| Compass | Attached to you(?) | |
| First Aid Kit | Group sized kit – this can be provided | |
| Bivy or Shelter? | Group sized kit – this can be provided |
