Everything Awesome

The Peak District has over the past decade become a huge success, if you gauge success by enabling more access to the countryside, or by the increased income levels tourism brings to the area.

Unfortunately this has created some issues that could have been avoided. Much more traffic use and roadside parking.
Rather than create additional car parks, give farmers planning permission to allow parking on their land, or developing a working park and ride system, the answer has been to restrict parking.

The latest being the Fox House pub in Hathersage. Now this is a location i use frequently, i start and stop MTB courses here, and my clients often park in the large carpark.
I encourage this, insisting that at the end of the course, or the end of the day we put around £50 over the bar for food and drinks, We often excede this.
Now there are to be ANPR cameras on that carpark, i fear my clients will park elsewhere, the pub will ultimately lose out and we all lose a facility.

I don’t have answers but prohibition rarely succeeds long term.

Aphantasia is a neurological condition where a person cannot voluntarily form mental images. If you ask someone with aphantasia to imagine a red apple, they understand the concept, know it is red and round, and can describe its texture, but they cannot picture it in their “mind’s eye.”

Visual vividness exists on a wide spectrum, ranging from complete visual blindness to movie like mental clarity.

Key Characteristics

• Conceptual Thinking: Instead of picture-based memories, individuals rely on facts, words, spatial maps, or abstract logic.
• Not a Mental Illness: It is classified as a neurological variation, not a disorder or disability. Most people with aphantasia live completely normal, creative, and successful lives, many without realising they experience the world differently until adulthood.
• Variability: Some people have total aphantasia (affecting all internal senses, including the ability to replay sounds, smells, or physical touch in their head), while others only lack visual imagery.
• Dreaming: Many people with aphantasia still experience visual dreams while sleeping, as involuntary imagery operates on a different neural pathway than intentional visualisation.

Origins & Spectrum

The term was coined in 2015 by cognitive neurologist Dr. Adam Zeman, though the phenomenon was first described by Francis Galton in 1880.

Most cases are congenital (present from birth), but aphantasia can occasionally be acquired later in life due to brain injury, stroke, or psychological trauma.

Every outdoor athlete falls into one of two mindset categories when assessing risk:

• The Vague Awareness: “If I fall, I’ll get hurt.”
• The Concrete Reality: “If I fall, I’ll break my collarbone.”

The second athlete visualises specific consequences. They weigh the cost, feel the hesitation, and often back off, choosing a lower climb or grabbing the brakes on a steep trail. The first athlete can’t fully picture the severity, so they ride faster and push harder.

The difference? When a crash happens, the cautious athlete expected it. The fearless one is completely blindsided.

We here at Everything Awesome can help with these concerns, after decades of coaching adventure sports, and decades of working with people who have suffered life changing injuries we have techniques and systems that may help

A professional beginner is someone who has turned the act of starting over into an elite, highly marketable skill.

I seem to have had this description for most of my adult life, and somehow, have paid my bills and lived a great life.

While most professionals climb a career ladder by narrowing their focus, a professional beginner climbs by widening their scope. They don’t claim to be a veteran expert in any single domain; instead, their expertise lies in the speed at which they can conquer a learning curve.

They are intellectual chameleons, drop-in problem solvers, and professional translators. Here is what defines them:

1. The Core Mindset: High Confidence, Low Ego

The most distinct trait of a professional beginner is a unique psychological balance:

• Zero Ego: They are completely unphased by walking into a room and saying, “I don’t know what that acronym means, please explain it to me.” They don’t waste cognitive energy pretending to know things they don’t.
• Radical Confidence: While they have low ego about their current knowledge, they have sky-high confidence in their ability to learn. They operate on a fundamental belief: If another human being figured this out, I can figure it out too.

2. The Skillset of Rapid Acquisition

A professional beginner doesn’t learn like an academic; they learn like an engineer. They possess a meta-skill: learning how to learn.

• Deconstruction: They can look at a complex system (a new coding language, a supply chain bottleneck, a financial model) and instantly break it down into its core components.
• The 20% Filter: They instinctively find the 20% of vocabulary and concepts that drive 80% of the daily operations in a given field.
• Analogy Matching: Because they have dabbled in so many industries, they learn by cross-referencing. When learning a new marketing framework, they might think, “Oh, this is just like the feedback loops I learned about in mechanical engineering.”

3. The Professional Value: The “OODA Loop” Expert

In the corporate world, the professional beginner is an incredible asset, particularly in volatile or fast-moving industries. They excel at what military strategist John Boyd called the OODA Loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act).

[Traditional Expert] ───> Relies on historical precedents and "how we've always done it."
                          Can freeze when a totally unprecedented problem occurs.

[Professional Beginner] ─> Relies on first principles and rapid adaptation.
                          Thrives in chaos because they expect to start from scratch.

They are the ultimate “firefighters.” When a company faces a weird, multi-departmental crisis that doesn’t fit neatly into HR, Legal, or Engineering, they drop the professional beginner into the center of it.

4. The Trap to Avoid

The danger of being a professional beginner is becoming a “permanent amateur.” To avoid this, a true professional beginner ensures that while their subject matter changes, their execution standards remain elite. They might be a beginner at the specific technical requirements of a new project, but they are a seasoned master at project management, communication, stakeholder alignment, and critical thinking.

In short: A traditional expert is paid for what they already know. A professional beginner is paid for how fast they can figure out what nobody knows yet.

Whether you are looking to conquer a literal mountain or overcome a personal physical challenge, Everything Awesome is a premier outdoor adventure and rehabilitation organization based in the heart of the Peak District and Sheffield. Far from being a typical tour company, Everything Awesome blends high-octane adventure with expert coaching and specialized medical rehabilitation, creating an inclusive gateway to the great outdoors.

Here is a breakdown of what we here at Everything Awesome can do for you.

1. Master New Skills with Expert Coaching

At the core of Everything Awesome is a commitment to high-quality instruction. Led by Mini Mansell an instructor with an exhaustive portfolio of qualifications the organization offers structured coaching across a variety of disciplines.

• Mountain Biking (MTB): From “Jumps and Drops” workshops to the fundamental core skills, you can learn to navigate technical trails with confidence. We also offer MIAS (Mountain Bike Instructors Award Scheme) Level 1 and 2 courses for those looking to turn their passion into a professional qualification.
• Rock Climbing: Whether you are transitioning from “Gym to Crag” or wanting to learn the complexities of Traditional (Trad) climbing, they provide safe, expert-led sessions. We even offer ladies-only climbing sessions to foster a supportive environment for female adventurers.
• Paddlesports & More: You can book Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP) taster sessions, navigation courses (like “Find Your Way in a Day”), and even archery lessons.

2. Experience Bespoke Adventures

Everything Awesome excels at creating unforgettable memories through guided experiences. If you aren’t looking for a “lesson” but rather a “journey,” they offer guided mountain bike rides through the rugged Peak District, “Waterfall Walks” (such as the stunning Middle Black Clough), and “Weaselling” (a unique Peak District activity involving scrambling through natural rock tunnels and boulders). These sessions are perfect for families, stag/hen dos, or corporate team building events where the goal is to bond through shared adventure.

3. Specialized Rehabilitation & Inclusion

What truly sets us apart is our “sister” mission in Neuro and Spinal Rehabilitation. We act as specialist Rehabilitation Assistants (RAs), working alongside Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists to support individuals recovering from life-altering injuries, including brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, stroke, and cerebral palsy.

We believe that the outdoors should be accessible to everyone. If you have complex physical needs or use a wheelchair, Everything Awesome uses their specialized skill set to adapt activities like climbing or paddling to your specific requirements. We focus on the “Adventure Sports Specialist Rehab” model, helping individuals rediscover their identity and physical potential through nature.

4. Empowerment and Mental Well-being

Beyond the physical activities, Everything Awesome provides a space for personal growth. Our philosophy is built on “Challenge by Choice,” allowing participants to set their own limits and overcome fears at their own pace. This approach builds immense self-confidence and offers a powerful mental health boost, using the transformative power of the Peak District’s landscape to reduce stress and foster a sense of accomplishment.

Summary

In short, Everything Awesome provides the tools, the expertise, and the environment for you to “ditch the routine.” Whether you are an elite athlete looking to shave seconds off your descent, a beginner nervous about your first climb, or someone navigating a difficult recovery journey, we offer a personalized roadmap to help you experience the world in an awesome way.

Although the title does preclude a gender, i hope the message doesnt. The message being, go prepared. So many problems, just wont become a problem, if you are prepared for them.

The classic “gentleman’s pat-down.” Whether you’re checking your pockets before leaving the house or making sure you haven’t lost your soul (or your keys) at a funeral, this mnemonic has a surprisingly long history.

While most people use it as a quick checklist to ensure they have their essentials, its roots are a bit more “holy.”

The Meaning Behind the Phrase

The phrase is a mnemonic for the Sign of the Cross (the ritual gesture made by Christians, primarily Catholics). The movement of the hand corresponds to the items mentioned:

• Spectacles: Touching the forehead.
• Testicles: Touching the lower abdomen/waist.
• Wallet: Touching the left shoulder (where a man historically kept his wallet in an inside jacket pocket).
• Watch: Touching the right shoulder (referring to a pocket watch kept in the waistcoat).

Historical Context

• The “Pocket” Logic: The order reflects a time when men’s fashion was more formal. Most men were right-handed, so they kept their wallet in the left breast pocket (easy to reach with the right hand) and their pocket watch in the right waistcoat pocket.
• Pop Culture: You might recognize this from movies like Nuns on the Run (1990) or Austin Powers, where it’s used as a joke to help someone “fake” being religious. It also famously appeared in Clint Eastwood’s Gran Torino.
• The “Pocket Pat”: Today, it’s mostly used by people who aren’t necessarily religious but want a rhythmic way to ensure they haven’t forgotten their gear.

For me, as an outdoor professional, this tends to mean, phone, keys, penknife and specs. (plus first aid kit as a default)

When working, this could include, compass, or bike pocket multi tool,

Of course, in 2026, the modern version is probably more like: “Phone, Keys, Wallet, Vape”—though that doesn’t quite have the same theological ring to it.

How to Tell the Weather from Clouds

High-Level Clouds (Above 20,000 ft)

–

• Cirrus: Thin, wispy “mare’s tails.” Fair now, but rain likely in 24–48 hours.

• Cirrocumulus: “Mackerel scales.” Change in weather coming.

• Cirrostratus: Thin veil, creates a halo around sun/moon. Rain/snow in 12–24 hours.

Mid Level Clouds (6,500 – 20,000 ft)

• Altostratus: Gray sheet. Steady rain/snow arriving in a few hours.

• Altocumulus: Fluffy balls. On warm mornings, signals afternoon thunderstorms.

Low-Level Clouds (Below 6,500 ft)

• Cumulus: “Cotton balls.” Small means fair; vertical growth means storms.

• Stratus: Flat gray blanket. Gloomy with drizzle or mist.

• Stratocumulus: Lumpy and dark. Storm brewing or front passing.

Dan’ger Clouds

• Nimbostratus: Dark and thick. Steady, prolonged rain.

• Cumulonimbus: Towering with anvil top. Heavy rain, lightning, and thunder.

• Wall/Shelf Clouds: Wedge-shaped. Severe winds and potential tornadoes.

Quick Tips

• Vertical Growth: Atmosphere is unstable; expect a storm.

• Dark Color: Cloud is heavy with water; rain is imminent.

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A question i see asked

Why would anyone pay for guided outdoor activities?

Hiring a professional guide for an outdoor activity—whether it’s mountain biking through rugged terrain, rock climbing a granite face, or navigating a complex backcountry trail—is often viewed by beginners as a luxury. However, the value of a guide extends far beyond simply showing the way. It is an investment in safety, skill acquisition, and the overall quality of the experience.

1. Safety and Risk Management
The most critical value a guide provides is risk mitigation. The outdoors are inherently unpredictable; weather can shift in minutes, trails can be washed out, and equipment can fail. A certified guide is trained to read these variables and make informed decisions that keep participants out of harm’s way.

Beyond environmental awareness, guides are typically trained in First Aid, Typically Advanced Outdoor First Aid. Should an accident occur, having a professional who can stabilize an injury and coordinate an evacuation is the difference between a minor setback and a life-threatening crisis. They carry the heavy first-aid kits, emergency communication devices, and repair tools that the average hobbyist might overlook.

2. Accelerated Learning and Technical Mastery
When you pay for a guide, you are paying for a “fast track” to competence. Trial and error is a slow and sometimes painful way to learn an outdoor sport. A guide provides real-time coaching, correcting your form on a mountain bike or teaching you the most efficient way to plant your trekking poles.

This professional instruction prevents the development of “bad habits” that are difficult to break later. For complex sports like rock climbing or downhill mountain biking, a few hours with a guide can equate to months of self-taught practice. You aren’t just paying for the day; you are paying for a foundation of skills that you will carry into every future adventure.

3. Local Knowledge and Hidden Gems
In the age of digital maps and trail apps, it is easy to think you know a landscape. However, digital data lacks nuance. A guide knows which trails get too muddy after a rain, which viewpoints are best for sunrise, and where the local wildlife is most likely to be spotted without being disturbed.

They provide a layer of interpretive education, sharing stories about the local geology, flora, and history. This transforms a physical workout into a deep, meaningful connection with the environment. You aren’t just passing through the woods; you are understanding the ecosystem you are standing in.

4. Logistics and Peace of Mind
Outdoor adventures require a mountain of logistics: gear rentals, permits, transportation, and meal planning. A guided service often handles these “invisible” tasks. This allows the participant to remain in a state of flow, focusing entirely on the activity rather than worrying about whether they packed enough water or if they are parked in a legal zone.

Conclusion
Ultimately, paying for a guide is about maximizing the “return on adventure.” By offloading the stress of navigation and safety to a professional, you free your mind to fully engage with the beauty of the natural world. Whether you are a novice looking for a safe introduction or an intermediate athlete looking to level up, a guide provides the expertise that turns a good day outside into an unforgettable one.

If you have ambition to become a Mountain bike instructor/leader/coach then the MIAS pathway is idea.

We here at Everything Awesome have been running MIAS courses for many years with many hundreds of coaches around the UK enjoying employment due to the qualification gained with us.

This syllabus is designed as a modular training program to take a rider from Level 1 (Fundamental) to Level 3 (Advanced/Elite) based on the provided Assessor Skill Level Sheet.

Course Title: Advanced MTB Skills & Technical Mastery

Duration: 3 Progressive Modules (Level 1, 2, and 3)

Objective: To develop proactive, technical, and safe mountain bike handling through the mastery of braking, balance, and obstacle clearance.

Module 1: Foundations of Control (Level 1)

Focus: Establishing safe habits and basic bike-body separation.

• Braking Fundamentals: Correct sequencing (rear before front); achieving 75% front/25% rear distribution without skidding.
• Drivetrain Management: Basic gear selection for varying terrain; eliminating cross-chaining.
• Static Balance: Introduction to the “Track Stand” (5-second hold) and weight movement around the bike.
• Vertical Mobility: * Basic pedal kicks and front wheel lifts over 10cm objects.
  • Introduction to hopping and bunny hop principles.
• Terrain Navigation: * Descending slopes up to 30degree and climbing up to 20.
  • Handling small drop-offs (up to 15cm).
  • Clearing roots and logs under 12cm.
• Cornering Basics: Body positioning (inside pedal up, weight on outside foot, knee tracking).

Module 2: Proactive Handling (Level 2)

Focus: Increasing height, steepness, and shifting from reactive to proactive riding.

• Advanced Braking: Complete use of both brakes to full potential; demonstrating individual modulation to avoid lock-ups.
• Proactive Shifting: Smooth gear transitions and an understanding of cadence and gear ratios relative to terrain.
• Balance & Air: * Extending Track Stands (5–10 seconds).
  • Front wheel lifts to 30cm; clearing 15cm obstacles.
  • Executing a stationary two-wheel hop and speed jumps (7.5cm).
• Technical Descents & Climbs: * Handling 30 degree – 45 descents and 20 – 30 climbs.
  • Drop-offs between 15cm and 50cm.
• Advanced Cornering: Applying cornering fundamentals through switchbacks.
• Trail Obstacles: Clearing medium logs and ruts (12–15cm).

Module 3: Technical Mastery (Level 3)

Focus: Elite-level maneuvers, extreme terrain, and fluid movement.

• Precision Control: Maximum power braking with full modulation; “instinctive” proactive shifting.
• Extreme Balance: * Comfortable 10-second+ Track Stands.
  • Extreme weight shifts (e.g., body behind rear axle for steep descents).
  • Stationary hops with lateral (side) movement or rotation.
• High-Level Maneuvers:
  • Front wheel lifts to 50cm; clearing 20cm+ objects.
  • Effortless bunny hops over 7.5cm+ objects.
  • Speed jumps over 10cm+ objects.
• Elite Terrain:
  • Steep descents 45 and climbs over 30
  • Drop-offs exceeding 50cm.
  • Clearing large obstacles (logs/roots over 15cm and complex ruts).
• Dynamic Cornering: Maintaining speed and technique through complex, linked series of turns (hitting apexes and accelerating out).

Assessment Methodology

Each module concludes with a practical evaluation. Students must demonstrate:

1. Consistency: Performing the skill correctly 3 out of 3 times.
2. Safety: No loss of control or “sketchy” landings.
3. Fluidity: In Level 3, the assessor looks for “flow”—the seamless transition between different skills.

Title: Mastering the Dirt: What to Expect on a Beginner Mountain Bike Coaching Course

Mountain biking is often perceived as an adrenaline-fueled pursuit reserved for daredevils, but at its heart, it is a skill-based sport where technique trumps bravado. For those new to the sport, or road cyclists trading tarmac for trails, a beginner mountain bike coaching course is the single best investment you can make—often far more valuable than a carbon fiber upgrade.

The Morning: Foundations and Safety

Most courses begin not on a mountain peak, but in a flat, grassy car park. The day typically starts with the “M-Check,” a systematic safety inspection of the bike to ensure the wheels, brakes, and drivetrain are trail-ready.

Once safety is established, the coach introduces the most critical concept in off-road riding: Body Position.

• The Neutral Position: Standing tall on the pedals with level cranks, keeping your weight centered. This is your “home base.”
• The Attack Position: Lowering the chest, bending the elbows, and looking up. This prepares you for rougher terrain.

Riders will spend the first hour drilling these postures, learning to separate their body movements from the bike. You will learn that unlike on a road bike, a mountain bike needs room to move beneath you.

Mid-Day: Core Controls

As the group moves to slightly more varied terrain, the focus shifts to controls—specifically braking and gears. Beginners often fear the front brake, believing it will send them over the handlebars. A good coach will debunk this myth immediately. You will learn “modulation”—the art of feathering the brakes rather than grabbing them. Drills will teach you to use the front brake for stopping power and the rear brake for control, all while dropping your heels to brace against the deceleration.

Gear selection is next. You will learn to anticipate the trail, shifting before a climb starts to avoid the dreaded “crunch” of changing gears under load.

Afternoon: Cornering and Trail Flow

The afternoon is usually dedicated to the skill that separates flowing riders from twitchy ones: Cornering. Instructors will teach you to look where you want to go (avoiding “target fixation” on rocks or trees) and to lean the bike while keeping your body upright. This maximizes tire traction. You might practice on cones first, learning to open your hips and point your belly button toward the exit of the turn.

Finally, the group hits the trails. This is where the magic happens. You will apply your new “toolkit” of skills to real-world features—rolling over roots, navigating small drops, and keeping momentum through berms. The coach will ride sections with you, providing real-time feedback and often video analysis.

The Takeaway

By the end of the day, the transformation is usually visible. The “death grip” on the handlebars relaxes, and fear is replaced by calculated focus. A beginner course doesn’t just teach you how to ride a bike; it teaches you how to read the trail, managing risk so you can access the reward of flow.

10 Essential MTB Skills for Beginners This video is relevant because it visually demonstrates the exact body positions, braking techniques, and cornering drills discussed in the article, offering a perfect visual recap of a typical beginner syllabus.

We offer some awesome introduction courses

We have had the above logo for a long time, and felt due for any update, this is the version i am leaning towards.