Job Introduction
BIKE GUIDE
Location: Various Neilson Beach Clubs overseas
Season: April – November
Qualifications Required: Bike Leader Level 2 or recognised equivalent preferred; Level 1 may be considered
Eligibility: UK & EU passport holders
Salary: £700–£775 PCM gross, depending on qualification(s), plus shared accommodation, meals, flights, and an excellent overall package.
As a UK-based business operating overseas, we’re able to arrange the required visas and work permits for UK and EU passport holders to work legally in our resorts.
In a Nutshell
- Spend your summer exploring incredible roads and trails from one of our Beach Clubs.
- Lead safe, social and memorable rides for guests with different abilities and experience levels.
- Combine your love of cycling with guiding, guest interaction and looking after our fantastic fleet of bikes.
- Build your experience as a Bike Guide while spending a season doing something you genuinely love.
About Us
For almost 50 years, Neilson has been creating unforgettable active holidays in some incredible Beach Club destinations.
From sailing and watersports to tennis, fitness, biking and much more, our guests are at the centre of everything we do.
We’re looking for enthusiastic, adaptable people with great personalities, a strong work ethic and a genuine passion for creating brilliant holiday experiences.
You don’t need years of professional experience behind you to have a great season with us. If you’ve got the right qualification, a genuine love of cycling and the attitude and potential we’re looking for, we’ll give you the opportunity to build confidence, develop your skills and gain valuable hands-on experience as part of a supportive team.
About You
You love bikes. Riding them, talking about them, looking after them – and, ideally, encouraging other people to love them too.
You’re a qualified Bike Leader who’s confident taking responsibility for groups out on the road or trails. You understand that a great guided ride isn’t about smashing out the fastest pace – it’s about reading your group, adapting the ride and making sure everyone feels safe, supported and has a brilliant time.
You’ll be friendly, energetic and approachable, with the confidence to engage with guests of different ages and riding abilities.
You’ll also be happy getting your hands dirty. Every member of the Bike Team plays a part in keeping our fleet safe and running smoothly, so practical bike maintenance skills are important.
You don’t need to be a professional mechanic. If you do have advanced mechanical skills, workshop experience or a recognised technical qualification such as Cytech, even better – there’ll be plenty of opportunity to put those skills to good use.
Role Overview
As a Bike Guide, you’ll help bring the Neilson Cycling Programme to life, leading guests through some incredible local routes while helping them build confidence and discover the destination on two wheels.
Depending on the resort, you could be leading road cycling, mountain biking or a mixture of both, as well as helping guests choose suitable self-guided routes and sharing your local riding knowledge.
Looking after our bikes is part of being on the Bike Team too. You’ll help with daily checks, basic servicing and repairs, workshop organisation and making sure the fleet is safe and guest-ready.
Above all, this is a people role. You’ll use your enthusiasm for cycling to give guests of different abilities the confidence to get involved and have a fantastic experience on two wheels.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Lead safe, enjoyable and ability-appropriate guided rides.
- Deliver rides in line with the Neilson Cycling Programme and relevant safety procedures.
- Assess your group and adapt routes, pace and riding appropriately.
- Help guests develop confidence and improve their riding skills.
- Support guests choosing self-guided routes and provide practical local riding advice.
- Promote the Cycling Programme and encourage guests to get involved.
- Help guests select and safely use appropriate bikes and cycling equipment.
- Carry out regular bike safety checks and routine maintenance.
- Complete basic servicing and repairs appropriate to your level of experience.
- Help keep the Neilson bike fleet safe, reliable, well presented and guest-ready.
- Identify mechanical issues that require more advanced technical attention.
- Help maintain an organised, safe and well-stocked workshop and bike centre.
- Share your cycling and mechanical knowledge with other members of the Bike Team.
- Support cycling sessions for younger riders alongside the Children’s Activity Team when required.
- Follow all company operating procedures, safeguarding responsibilities and health and safety standards.
- Support guest briefings, social events, airport transfers and wider resort operations when required.
- Work collaboratively with the wider resort team and be ready to get stuck in wherever needed.
Skills & Experience
You’ll be great at this if you…
- Hold, or are working towards, a recognised Bike Leader Level 2 qualification or equivalent.
- Have strong personal cycling experience in road cycling, mountain biking or ideally both.
- Love cycling and genuinely enjoy sharing that enthusiasm with other people.
- Are confident leading groups and taking responsibility for their safety.
- Understand cycling safety, group management, route planning and risk awareness.
- Can adapt rides around different abilities, fitness levels and conditions.
- Have practical bike maintenance skills and understand basic bike safety checks.
- Are friendly, approachable and confident engaging with guests.
- Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Have a strong work ethic and are happy getting stuck in.
- Are organised, proactive and comfortable working in a busy outdoor environment.
- Are considerate and supportive when helping less confident riders.
- Stay calm and make sensible decisions when things don’t go to plan.
- Are willing to listen, learn and continue developing your skills.
- Can work independently and as part of a close-knit team.
- Have a good standard of spoken English.
It’d be a bonus if you also have…
- Cytech Technical Level 2 or another recognised bike mechanic qualification.
- Professional bike mechanic or workshop experience.
- Experience maintaining a large rental, hire or cycling fleet.
- Strong knowledge of road bikes, mountain bikes and E-Bikes.
- E-Bike maintenance experience.
- Previous experience leading guided rides or coaching cyclists.
- Previous overseas, resort, hospitality or seasonal work experience.
- Additional European language skills.
Qualifications
To join us as a Bike Guide, you’ll need a recognised Bike Leader qualification.
Bike Leader Level 2 is preferred, as this allows you to guide our complete range of rides from beginner through to advanced.
We will also consider Bike Leader Level 1 qualifications on a case-by-case basis, depending on your wider experience, suitability and the requirements of the role.
We welcome applications from candidates holding recognised UK and international Bike Leadership qualifications and equivalent certifications.
Bike mechanic qualifications are not mandatory for this role. However, recognised technical qualifications such as Cytech, or strong professional bike mechanic experience, are highly desirable.
For further guidance, please click here: Accepted Qualifications
Looking at getting qualified? Click here to check out our preferred course provider: MIAS
You do not need to have completed your Bike Leader qualification before submitting your application.
If you’re currently working towards, booked onto or planning to complete the required qualification before your start date, please go ahead and apply and provide details of the qualification and your expected completion date within your application.
First Aid Requirements
A valid Outdoor First Aid certificate is mandatory for the Bike Guide role.
Your certificate must be in place by your start date and remain valid for the duration of your contract.
If you’re currently booked onto or planning to complete your Outdoor First Aid qualification before your start date, you can still apply – just provide the details within your application.
ONLINE-ONLY FIRST AID COURSES ARE NOT ACCEPTED
For further information about Neilson’s First Aid requirements, please click here: First Aid Guidance
What’s in it for you?
Joining Neilson is more than just a summer job. It’s an opportunity to challenge yourself, develop new skills, build confidence, experience incredible destinations, and become part of a close-knit team creating unforgettable holidays every day.
The experience, resilience, and people skills you’ll develop along the way will stay with you long after the season ends – wherever life takes you next.
Alongside the experience, you’ll get:
- A paid seasonal role in an incredible overseas destination.
- Shared staff accommodation, so you’re right at the heart of resort life and part of the team from day one.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner while on duty, so your meals are taken care of.
- Travel to and from resort, subject to staff travel policy.
- Use of selected resort facilities in your spare time, so you can enjoy the destination too.
- Friends and family holiday discounts, giving the people at home the chance to experience Neilson for themselves.
- Comprehensive training and ongoing support to help you settle in, develop your skills and make the most of your season.
- Opportunities to gain additional qualifications through the Neilson Academy.
- Career development opportunities through our Jump Up and Jump Higher programmes.
- Visa and work permit support where applicable.
- Role-specific uniform provided.
- One day off each week, plus accrued holiday.
- Emergency medical and dental insurance.
- 24/7 independent mental health support.
It’s a season that gives you more than a payslip – you’ll come home with new skills, new friends, incredible memories and an experience that stays with you long after you’ve left resort.
Please note: All Neilson Active employees are required to complete a DBS check as part of our safer recruitment process.
