Frequently asked questions

Nic Johnson is a WorkSafe Adventure Activities Accredited mountain bike coach based in the Wellington region, legally accredited to coach and guide adults mountain biking. It is a legal requirement to accept payment for teaching and guiding on mountain bike trails, and it is also the safest way – I think you are worth it. You can check the WorkSafe public register.

• Comprehensive outdoor first aid (PHEC – Pre-Hospital Emergency Care, 5 day)
• NZ Certificate in Outdoor Leadership (Instruction L5) in Mountain Biking
• L2 Advanced GSMBC coaching qualification
• Ten years of coaching experience
• 20 years of high-level racing and riding to draw on

• Your mountain bike and helmet
• Comfortable, warm top – there is some watching and chatting
• Riding shorts, baggies or lycra, whatever you feel good in
• Rain jacket, just in case
• Spare tube and pump, plus a bike tool if you have them
• Any medications you might need
• Water bottle and a snack

There are four course options. Read the description of each and pick the one that matches your current skill level. If you are still unsure, get in touch and I will help you find the right fit.

The mixed and women’s courses cover the same material. Men and women are sometimes motivated and learn differently, so there are two options. I fully appreciate that not everyone identifies solely as men or women – choose the group you most identify with or feel most comfortable in.

Intro to Dirt and Corners: a basic level of fitness – being able to cope with 3 hours out on the trails, riding roughly 5–10km total depending on location. It is a 3-hour course, not a 3-hour ride.

Advanced Cornering: a moderate level of fitness. Not much trail distance (around 5km), but plenty of pushing back up to session corners and laps of the pump track.

Intro to Jumps: a moderate level of fitness, using your upper body and repeatedly riding or pushing back up to session features. Jumping is tiring – if you are unsure, get in touch.

No worries – that is exactly where a private lesson comes in. Ride solo or grab up to three friends and I will tailor a session especially for you.

Great to hear they are keen. Kids (and adults) learn best alongside people of similar ability and age, so I recommend WORD for after-school programmes and holiday camps for ages 7–17. All courses offered here are for participants 18 years and over.

Mountain biking is an adventurous activity and at times can be dangerous. I make every effort to avoid unnecessary danger by choosing appropriate trails and building up step by step from the basics. If there is ever something you do not want to do, you do not have to do it – there is always the option to stop or walk. Just tell me and I will find an alternative.

Please read the risk disclosure on the terms and conditions page. I am a WorkSafe registered Adventure Activity Operator with safety management systems externally audited every three years.

As your instructor I hold a current Outdoor PHEC first aid qualification and carry communication equipment appropriate for the terrain. If a serious injury is suspected I will arrange evacuation at the participant’s cost.

A well-maintained, safe bike is the participant’s responsibility – please check it before arriving. I am mechanically competent and can help with safety adjustments. Eating well and staying hydrated will help you have a great time. Alcohol and drugs are not permitted while riding.

Courses run in most weather conditions. If the weather is genuinely awful, or something happens outside of my control, I will cancel for safety reasons and refund your money or transfer you to another course. You will get an email by 8am on the day if your course is cancelled.

Bring the bike you love and ride the most. It should have knobbly tyres and front suspension. I carry basic tools and a suspension pump and can help adjust your bike so it fits you better. For weekend workshops I send a gear list a month before. Questions about specific equipment? Get in touch.

Whatever you feel most comfortable on. Flat pedals are great for learning and confidence, and you can get a foot down easily. Clipless pedals take practice to unclip quickly. If you are new to riding or keen to get into jumping, I highly recommend flat pedals.

For the best quality, safety and value, each course is limited to 6 riders. The minimum for all skills courses is 3 riders.

Courses are 3 hours long (bring a snack) and private lessons are 2 hours.

If a course does not have 3 riders booked by the Thursday night before it runs, I will offer to move your booking to another date. If we cannot find a date that works for you, I will refund you.

• 7 days or more before your course – 50% refund
• 1–6 days before your course – 25% refund
• Less than 24 hours before your course – no refund

Yes. Buy them at the bottom of the booking page if you want a voucher sent out to you, or simply book the session for someone else. Your choice.

Online – head to the bookings page, choose your course and pay by credit card.

Email – flick me a note at [email protected] and I can send an invoice payable by bank transfer or credit card. This is common for private sessions or anything outside the box.

I support Revolve and WORD through event sponsorship, and give back via Stripe Climate projects and Trees That Count.