Instructor Certification Program Expands Mountain Biking Education in Lander

In Lander, interest in mountain biking continues to grow, but the community lacks enough instructors to teach the skills needed to navigate terrain safely. One instructor regarded as the local expert has seen demand for instruction outstrip her capacity for several years, and while four other instructors exist in the community, they need recertification. When she recognized this gap, she reached out to LOR with a plan to launch a mountain bike instructor program that creates depth in Lander’s teaching capacity. Building on $4,000 already secured from the Lander District Recreation Board for recertifications, LOR’s support will fund brand new certifications for additional instructors—some who will be authorized to teach certification courses themselves, others just starting out as riders who want to teach. To ensure accountability for this investment in free and low-cost group rides, clinics, and workshops, each instructor will sign a four-year pledge to contribute 20 to 40 volunteer hours annually to local schools and Lander Cycling Club events. Training will combine classroom work at Alpine Science Institute with field practice on ASI’s mountain biking trails. LOR’s funding will help cover ASI grounds fees, instructor props including training cones, first aid kits, helmets, and reference materials, professional shirts and marketing materials, and recertification fees.