Graduate Interview: Oli Makosch

Where is home?
I come from Effingen a small village in Kanton Aargau, Switzerland

What do you do for a living?
I am focusing all my energy on getting work in the Bike Industry and getting my own coaching company off the ground.


Where were you working before the course?
I used to work in IT as a manager of a Global Service Desk for a Financial Institution.

How did you find out about the Peak Leaders course?
I can’t really remember but I think it was actually on Pinkbike. Peak Leaders has some pretty slick marketing so that got my initial attention. Next was the fact that it was held in Whistler! I believe that gaining your IDP level 1+2 Instructor Certification in Whistler adds extra credibility to the whole thing. Especially once TerraMethod can make some serious inroads into the European Bike Park Instruction/ Coaching Scene.


What did you know about the Whistler scene beforehand?
Having had the possibility to ride there in 2013 and 2014 I knew that by just being here you can’t help but become a better rider. Couple that with the personal rider development we received during our 5 weeks.

What were your expectations and experience of the course?
In a nutshell, I expected to gain a deeper understanding of what is required to successfully teach someone how to mountain bike. This starts with how to actually stand on your bike, to getting that ever so addictive first second of airtime. I will be honest I found it both hugely rewarding and extremely frustrating at times.

There were quite a few highlights, but the most important one was the day Mike Johnstone took Alex, Jes and me to the parking lot and we learnt how to dance with the bike. This took my cornering to the next level. Also finally understanding my suspension, basically feeling the feedback from the bike and then knowing how to improve the ride based on that. Don’t get me wrong I am still no suspension tuning wizard, but at least now I know what I am doing! This is something I do hope to pass on to my friends and students back home.


Big challenges?
Having taught myself how to ride over the last 5 seasons, I was faced with the tough task of getting rid of many bad habits. Breaking muscle memory was the toughest task. Having to relearn the basics was something that took longer than I would have imagined, saying that I still catch myself doing things the old way sometimes. Damn you muscle memory!

How has it changed your approach to riding?
I find I am more analytical and critical when it comes to my own riding. The experiences gained during the course has let me get closer to my personal limits while on the bike and this in turn has helped me become a more controlled, confident and above all, safer rider.



How did you like living in Whistler?
I like that fact that in summer it’s all about bikes. Waking up each morning knowing you will be spending your day with a bunch of people that are just as nuts about riding their bike as you are, is something every rider should experience. I had the added bonus of being a member of team condo. That’s right…you know who you are lads!!!

Did you get up to much outside of the bike park?
To be honest most of my time was spent riding. I had some occasional hikes around lost lake but that pretty much it. This season was all about becoming and Instructor and progressing my own riding


What was your favorite trail?
I don’t have a favorite trail; it really depends on my personal form on any given day. Sometimes I am happy with gnar up in Garbo and other times I enjoyed simply cranking turns in B-Line. I do have a favorite combo in Garbo and Fitz

Garbo – O-Sin – Goats Gully – In Deep – Fatcrobat – TooTight

Fitz – A-Line Top – Ninja Cougar – Del Bocca Vista – Lower A-line – A-Line Tech

Or outside the bike park?
Revelstoke – Upper Bike Club into Bike Club to Logging Leftovers = EPIC!!!!!!!!

This trail combo has super tech up top that then goes into high speed berms and rollers. I recommend the trailbike to add some extra stoke…

Overall highlight of the season?
Nelson BC. Trails were a loam fest extraordinaire


Are you thinking continuing in the MTB industry?
As a matter of fact I am. I am working on starting a MTB coaching company that focuses more on gravity related skills. I see so many riders in the park and also on my home trails that could take their riding to the next level with the correct coaching. Who knows maybe next year you and I can do another Q&A session but this time about coaching in Switzerland.

Will you be back?
I think next year I will dedicate time to the fantastic trails we have over here. I only scratched the surface of La Thuile this year, so this definitely on my to-do list next year. I also need to put my tires in the dirt around the Grand Massif area…the list goes on….to many trails not enough summer….


Fancy a career change? Want to get started in the MTB industry? Check out our website for more info on our Coaches Camp and start your journey!

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