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 certification and 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 in DuPont State Forest

Lessons at Chestnut Mountain Nature Park (Berm 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

  • A highly sought-after mountain bike coach, has taught MTB lessons in 8 states and 3 countries in the past 2 years alone!

  • Raced MTB professionally, earning two National Championships and represented the USA in four World Championships

Qualifications

  • Certified Mountain Bike Instructor, PMBIA Level 3. Graduate of the Level 4 Module (one of 4 people in the USA), aiming to finish the highest certification - Level 4 in 2024

  • 25+ years experience teaching mountain biking, full-time since 2015

  • BA and MS in Outdoor Education

  • Is the most active instructor-trainer for the PMBIA in the USA, 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

Reviews

Josh Whitmore jumping mountain bike