Proposed Certificate · Planned Launch Fall 2027
Certificate of Occupational Proficiency in professional mountain bike coaching, rider fitting, trail advocacy, and outdoor business management.
Mountain Bike Coaching and Leadership Level 1 gives students the technical, physiological, and operational skills for professional mountain bike coaching, rider fitting, trail advocacy, and outdoor business management. Coursework spans bike physics, anatomy and biomechanics, dynamic bike fitting, sustainable trail design, and the business of coaching, with mountain bike safety, risk management, and environmental stewardship emphasized throughout.
Delivered as a single-year cohort, the certificate pairs classroom learning with hands-on, on-trail instruction and a supervised Coaching Practicum. It is designed to ladder into CMC's Action Sports Industry associate and bachelor's degrees or stack with credentials such as Ski Guide, and to give graduates early entry into a growing outdoor recreation industry where coaches, fitters, and guides can start a business in almost any mountain community.
Curriculum developed with Lee McCormack of Lee Likes Bikes. Program is pending final college approval.
Introduces the fundamental physics and engineering principles behind mountain bike design. Frame geometry, suspension kinematics, wheel and tire dynamics, drivetrains, and braking systems are analyzed, with emphasis on how these factors influence rider stability, traction, control, and performance under varying trail conditions.
Introduces the human anatomy and physiology essential for mountain biking: the musculoskeletal system, the primary muscle groups used in pedaling and bike handling, neurological pathways for balance and proprioception, cardiovascular adaptations, and the metabolic energy systems used during off-road riding.
Applies physiological and biomechanical principles to mountain bike training and rider sustainability. Students evaluate the impacts of fatigue, analyze common overuse and acute injuries, and develop hydration, nutrition, and recovery protocols that optimize adaptation and minimize injury risk.
Covers the principles and practices of dynamic bike fitting, including off-bike physical assessments and adjustments to saddle height, cockpit geometry, and pedal-cleat interfaces to optimize rider comfort, power output, safety, and musculoskeletal efficiency.
Explores sustainable trail design, construction, and environmental advocacy: trail-building physics, hydrology, drainage, and technical feature engineering, plus land-use policy, public access, and long-term maintenance and risk management planning.
Covers the legal, ethical, and operational side of running a professional coaching business: liability frameworks, insurance, waivers, and commercial permitting, along with coaching ethics, risk management, business planning, marketing, and client onboarding.
Introduces foundational techniques for teaching core mountain bike skills in a bike park or lab environment. Students analyze rider technique for effective cueing, build skills progressions, deliver constructive feedback, select safe instructional sites, and manage group dynamics for novice riders.
Builds on foundational riding skills with more advanced techniques and on-trail application. Students develop lesson plans for pumping, jumping, dropping, cornering, technical climbing, line choice, and trail flow while minimizing risk.
Focuses on gym and pedaling-based strength and conditioning tailored to mountain bikers: foundational movement patterns, plyometrics, mobility, periodized program design, and corrective exercises that build power, core stability, and impact absorption.
Emphasizes on-bike skill development and on-trail application. Riding positions, balance, braking, cornering, and pumping are refined so students become more complete riders and more empathetic coaches who can demonstrate great technique while understanding the learning process.
Gives students supervised, hands-on coaching experience. Real-life coaching scenarios are practiced with immediate feedback from peers and instructor, applying best practices for ethics, risk management, and teaching quality.