Josh Whitmore, Owner / Head Coach
Availability, Profile, and Reviews for Coach Josh Whitmore
Meet our Head Coach - Josh Whitmore, one of the most highly sought after mountain bike coaches in the country. Josh offers 25+ years experience teaching MTB, the highest level of professionalism, and a special knack for personalized analysis and feedback to guide you through exactly what you need to be a better mountain biker at any level.
Lessons at Ride Kanuga Bike Park
Lessons in DuPont State Forest
Lessons in Pisgah National Forest
Lessons at Chestnut Mountain Nature Park (Berm Park)
Lessons at Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park
Josh Whitmore: Owner / Head Coach
Quick Facts
Born in Brevard, NC. First started riding in Pisgah in the late 80’s
Teaches MTB Lessons full-time, year-round
25+ years experience teaching mountain biking
Raced MTB professionally, earning two National Championships and represented the USA in four World Championships
Qualifications
Certified Mountain Bike Instructor, PMBIA Level 3.
25+ years experience teaching mountain biking, full-time since 2015
BA and MS in Outdoor Education
Works as an instructor-trainer for the PMBIA, teaching 15-18 certification courses per year for Levels 1-3
Provides staff training and business consulting for bike parks, MTB skills schools, summer camps, and other MTB coaching companies
Wilderness First Responder
USA Cycling Certified Coach and Safe Sport Certified
Target Clients
Works with riders of all skill levels, ages, and backgrounds from first timers to pros.
Masterful in all mountain bike terrain, from cross country trails on short-travel bikes to expert bike park features on downhill bikes.
Thrives on helping intermediate to advanced level riders break through their ability plateau with dedicated guided practice in technical terrain, jumps, drops, and corners.
Is equipped to teach lessons for riders on e-bikes or tow clients on their “acoustic bike” to the top to get more laps with less effort (in locations that allow e-bikes)
Talented in training and mentoring other mountain bike coaches through their apprenticeship in becoming excellent instructors
Coaching Philosophy and Teaching Style
Josh’s greatest strength is using superior analysis skills (based on extensive experience working with 1000’s of clients) to provide the exact next step you need right now to keep progressing towards your goals
Smiles guaranteed: Learning should be enjoyable and bikes are fun! Josh is known for creating a relaxed and encouraging atmosphere where mistakes are stepping stones, not setbacks
Josh is particularly talented at fostering a positive and supportive coach-rider relationship based on trust, empathy, and effective communication
Culture of risk management: Crashing and hurting yourself does not make you a better rider! Rather than just going for it, Josh will engage you in an intentional progression of drills and tactics to build your base of ability on features with less consequence before applying your skills in more difficult terrain
Mind over matter: It's not just about technical skills. Josh incorporates mental training techniques to boost confidence, conquer fear, and build mental resilience on the trail.
Community Involvement
Serves on the Board of Directors for Pisgah Area SORBA - the local volunteer trail club
Sponsor of Blue Ridge Dirt Skrrts - a local non-profit that works to get more women on bikes
Grant writer for Asheville on Bikes and the AVL Un-Paved project
Event Promoter: Fire Mountain Inferno - Enduro Weekend to benefit the Fire Mountain Trail System, located within the Qualla Boundary of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee
Former founding member of the Nantahala Area SORBA club
Former grant writer and trail boss for the WCU Trail System
