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Welcome to Trail Talk
Hello and thank you for visiting our website. We are a mental health service provider specialising in leading electric mountain bike excursions in beautiful, natural settings throughout the UK.
Micha
About Us
Michael and Mark are retired police officers and whereas Michael is ex armed forces, Mark is still serving as a reserve RAF Officer. Between them they have over 70 years of public and military service.
Both are passionate about mountain biking and are happiest out on the trails.
Michael Asquith
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Michael (Mick) is a retired Police Authorised Firearms Officer having spent 18 years of his service on the Firearms Team. The role was dynamic, stressful and intense, but one which he loved being part of. He trained in Tactical Medicine and is training in mental health First Aid.
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Upon retirement, he trained as a British Cycling Level 2 Mountain Bike Leader and a cycle mechanic gaining CyTech Level 1 and 2 technical qualifications. He is also a Bikeability Instructor teaching school children the best and safest way to ride their bikes. Although a Yorkshireman, he now lives in the Surrey Hills.
Mark Grange
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Mark is a retired Police Officer having spent 27 years in uniform, CID, financial crime and neighbourhood policing. He was a TRiM practitioner and Post Incident Manager.
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Upon retirement, he joined the RAF Reserves and continued with a cycle coaching training company. He is a Level 3 Coach, a Level 3 MTB Leader, qualified cycle mechanic, Sports Educator and is a British Cycling Coach Educator.
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Mark had completed a dialectical behaviour therapy course and is training in Mental Health First Aid.
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Mark is an ex mountain rescue team member, also a winter and summer mountain leader.
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Mark enjoys time in the mountains on foot and of course on two wheels.
Ethos
During our service as police officers, we saw the best and worst of people and the situations and incidents that occur in everyday life. From these and our own life experiences, a plan was formed to help others who are suffering poor mental health. We lead individuals or teams of people on eBikes through some of our country's most beautiful, natural settings. We both have detailed local knowledge of many areas in the U.K and can tailor rides to suit the experience of the riders.
We follow the well-established principles of 'FLOW' to facilitate improved mental health outcomes:
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Focus - we believe in being in the moment and experiencing mindfulness.
Learning - it is well known that learning something new is an effective way to concentrate the mind and build a positive mindset.
Others- being part of a team is powerful; our rides afford time and opportunities to share experiences, worries or concerns; you are never alone.
Wellbeing - we believe in the euphoria of exercise...... the surge of endorphins; the feeling of accomplishment and the natural highs that come with this kind of exertion; the power of deeply breathing in fresh air; the scientifically proven benefits of being immersed in nature and in appreciating its beauty.
Our aims are simple: we have fun. Both of us are known for our sense of humour. At the end of the day's riding, you will feel more at ease mentally, accomplished in the fact that you have exercised and learned new skills and knowledge. Equally important to us is that you enjoy the camaraderie of being part of a team, sharing an experience and that you leave smiling.
Affiliations
