Fat Tyre Adventures
"The way we establish the risk share with the customers is important. It’s important that they acknowledge that they are riding the bike - we don’t ride it for them. They have to make individual choices throughout the trip ..."
Greg McIntyre, Owner
Our business
Based in the Queenstown area, we offer guided back country mountain biking, accessed by either 4x4 vehicles or helicopter.
We operate on Department of Conservation and private land, within a 100km drive. The land covers about 400km of trails with seven different landing points and 12 ride options. We also offer several longer trips within the South Island.
We have three to five part-time staff and one full-time staff member working from October to May. We are branching out to the ‘softer cycling tourist’ market offering cycle tours in the vineyard of the Gibbston Valley close to Arrowtown, Cycle de Vine. Two part-time staff will run Cycle de Vine.
Safety system strengths
The best part of my safety plan is its flexibility. I consider it a working document that I revisit and add to.
I don’t change the core of the document as that is the back bone of the plan, but I add to it and improve on parts that need changing when put into practice.
‘A risk sharing’ approach is key to the active adventure experience we offer. It is most important for us that we do not put all the risk responsibility on our guides.
We set out most of the duty of care at the briefing, and then the continual sharing of that responsibility through the length of the trip.
The way we establish the risk share with the customers is important. It’s important that they acknowledge that they are riding the bike - we don’t ride it for them. They have to make individual choices throughout the trip.
It works well for us because
This approach helps the guide to guide and not be a babysitter on one hand or a medic on the other hand. If things go wrong they can do both roles, but the perfect trip is if they don’t have to do either.
I think our approach also lets the individual customer ride at their own pace and not feel they are being herded – they feel they have been for a ride with their mates at the end of the day.
Contact:
Greg McIntyre, Owner
Email: greg@fat-tyre.co.nz
Mobile: 027 226 2822