Do You Need AQR?
The AQR Crew are dedicated cyclists, professional and experienced guides both on road and in the mountains. AQR has been created by a team of bikers for bikers and adventurers at heart. Everything that has gone into creating A QUICK RELEASE HOLIDAYS has been due to the hard work and dedication of our team and their passion for riding a bike.
“Excellent skills coaching alongside guiding (other companies seem to employ people for whom biking is a third or fourth profession)”
Read on to find out more about AQR and their role in bringing A QUICK RELEASE to you.
IAN POTTER - DIRECTOR, LUCHON RESORT MANAGER,SKILLS COACH, MECHANIC & GUIDE:
Ian started mountain biking in the eighties when mountain biking started to take off in the UK. Before then he was a keen BMX rider and also took part in motor cross. For five years he raced competitively both cross country and downhill, before his love for guiding and coaching took over. Ian moved on to become a resort manager in Nidri (Greece), Alte (Portugal) and Chamonix (France). Ian has also guided groups across the Ionian Islands, on training camps in Spain and throughout the UK.
2004 was the year Ian established AQR in Luchon and at the same time became a test rider for award winning bike company Cotic (www.cotic.co.uk).
Ian has received his Mountain Bike Instructors Leadership Award (M.I.A.S) Level 1-4, and when some spare time arises he will complete Level 5 to become a M.I.A.S Instructor so that he can train and give people hands on experience to guide in the mountains, such as Luchon. Ian holds an up to date Mountain Leader's First Aid Certificate.
Ian is an accomplished mechanic and will ensure your bike is fit and wheeling to go for your holiday in Luchon. When not guiding, Ian has been working for Cycling Australia as mechanic and pit support for the Australian mountain bike squad in Europe. In 2010 Ian will be at world cup and national races for wife Kate Potter who races on the Cotic Bontrager Race Team.
You know what guiding mood Ian is in by what he wears and what bike he chooses to ride. If he is planning alot of climbing on a guided ride or you wind him up then the lycra comes on and the Cotic Soda comes out. If he is feeling chilled and happy the baggy shorts are on and the Cotic Hemlock is ready to roll....BUT if he has extra fast guests who only want to go down hill or if he goes free riding with Russ then the Nikolai FR and full body armour stay on. Ian also has a little secret, he loves the tarmac too and has an extra light Lightspeed Vortex road bike that takes good care of him on the cols.
KATE POTTER - DIRECTOR, EVENTS ORGANISER...QUALITY CONTROLER TO ENSURE THE BOYS ARE ON TIME, SKILLS COACH, GUIDE, PERSONAL TRAINER & BABY SITTER:
Before Kate dedicated herself to cycling she was a keen long distance runner, gym instructor/personal trainer and high school teacher. Kate specialised as a speech and drama teacher passing Trinity London (A.T.C.L) and Australian (A.M.E.B)examinations at 18 years old and went on to work as a teacher for Sydney Performing Arts Schools, as well as running her own drama school for primary school children. During this time Kate received an Honours degree in Theatre, Film and Dance at the University of New South Wales and specialises in Youth Theatre.
As all young Australian’s do at some stage in their life Kate settled in London and spent her long awaited holidays travelling across Europe with several leading holiday companies before deciding to become a mountain bike guide.
Kate has gone onto complete her Mountain Bike Leadership Award (M.I.A.S) Level 1-2, and holds an up to date Mountain Leader's First Aid Certificate.
Kate has worked as a guide in the UK, Nidri (Greece), Chamonix (France), Luchon (France) and on tours across the Ionian Islands. Kate races on the Cotic Bontrager Race Team and competes in elite cross country, marathon and 24hr solo events across Europe and Australia. Kate became the British Marathon Series Champion in 2007 and British Cross Country Champion in 2009, as well as represented Australia at the World Championships in 2009.
Kate is a keen writer and contributes blog entries and articles for several websites such as Single Track World and XC Racer.
Kate's bike of choice is anything Cotic with Bontrager finery, but when riding the Pyrenean tarmac then her Trek Madone comes out to play
PAUL DEXTER - FOUNDING MEMBER OF AQR & DIRECTOR OF AQR BIKE FLEET:
Paul is an AQR guide, skills coach and owner of AQR’s fleet of Cotic bikes. Paul started mountain biking at the tender age of 14 and ended up racing XC, downhill and trials. Paul was one of Leisure Lakes longest serving employees, before moving on to Cotic. Paul tests bikes and bike components and is AQR’s bike guru, especially when it comes to servicing forks and suspension. Paul is an amazing mountain biker, but steal his tooth brush or hide the corn flakes and he won’t be able to stay on his bike, let alone perform one of his favourite stoppy manoeuvres on his beloved green Cotic Soul. Paul has guided across the UK and is one of AQR’s on call guides in Luchon. Paul also runs advanced skills sessions and holds an up to date Mountain leader's First Aid certificate. If you want to learn to manual properly, bunny hop or stoppy around switch backs then Paul is your man.
RUSSEL BLAKE - LUCHON LE LUTIN HOST & CHEF:
Russ is an old friend of the team, having raced mountain bikes alongside Ian and Jon when the sport first appeared on British shores. Since then he has travelled, worked as a guide and partied extensively in Europe, as well as finding the time to train and work as a chef in many of the top Alpine resorts in France, including four years in Chamonix. His love of nature and the more traditional aspects of French life brought him to Luchon where he runs 'Le Lutin'. More importantly to hungry cyclists, Russ is also a professional chef. He understands the importance of good quality food and plenty of it!
As well as being a fantastic chef, Russ is no slouch on a bike and recently came in the top 30 in one of the Maxi Avalanche downhill endurance races held in Europe. Russ has lived in Luchon for 9 years, speaks fluent French and has an extensive knowledge of the area.
If you dare to go out riding with Russ then you will find him on a Yeti ASX or a Cotic Bfe on the occasional cross country day.
JAMES DYMOND - AQR RACE TEAM MANAGER, PURCHASER & ON CALL SUPPORT GUIDE:
James has been mountain biking since the mid-90s but racing cross country as part of the AQR Race Team since 2008. James was promoted as the AQR Race Team Manager and stock purchaser as he is far more organised and on the ball than the Potters :). James is based in Nottingham, he's another serial Cotic owner and when not racing his Soda is usually found on his Hemlock on the local woodsy singletrack or the Peak District's rockiest offerings. A lover of the climbs as well as descents, James is also developing a strong love of the tarmac side of riding.
JOH EDWARDS - ON CALL SUPPORT GUIDE & MECHANIC IN UK & LUCHON:
As with many things in his life, Joh was a late developer when it came to bikes - he didn't take his stabilsers off until he was 19 years old. Since then however, he's devoted much effort to making up for lost time. Weekdays he can be found playing fakenger in London traffic, or riding very slowly round Richmond Park on an expensive looking roadbike. Weekends, he's usually found hanging out at trendy bike locations - Peaslake village stores, the Woodbine in Hope or the Trulythai takeaway wagon at Chicksands. Rumour has it that he has been seen actually riding, rather than talking about riding, but no photographic evidence is yet available.
A long time hero-worshipper of the mighty Paul "Stoppie God" Dexter, he was introduced by Paul to Ian and Kate, plus Cy of Cotic at roughly the same time in 2003. This has led to serial Cotic purchasing, plus regular trips to Luchon to polish off Russ's excellent food at Hotel Le Lutin. One thing led to another, and Ian, recognising a willing mug when he saw one, invited Joh to work in Luchon as a trainee table setter, bread slicer and walking wheelie bin.
AMANDA BRENT
Became involved with AQR through her son Ian and handles the AQR office affairs in England, which includes bookings,payment, gift vouchers etc. She was brought up in the hotel business, has accountancy, teaching and yoga teaching qualifications. When in Luchon for an annual holiday Amanda can be seen playing on a Cotic Soul around the calmer trails of Luchon.