The Mountain Bike Leader Award (MBL) consists of two days training plus a one-day assessment (for use in AALS defined licensable terrain) All Cyclewise Training mountain bike courses run on a ratio of 1:4 with 2 instructors working on every course.

The Mountain Bike Leader Award is a senior award. It is a more challenging course that requires a higher technical skill level, coaching delivery and advanced leadership management.

Candidates MUST have obtained their TCL Award before undertaking the MBL Training.

Pre-Entry to Mountain Bike Leader Training
Candidates must be over 18 years old and have log book experience of at lest 20 mountain bike rides of 1.5 hr duration in appropriate, and in a variety of terrain and weather conditions. Longer runs of 2 to 3 hrs duration, with at least one being 6 hours, 2/3 detailed route cards should also be included. The terrain covered should be appropriate to the level of award sought.
Evidence of having acted as an assistant mountain bike leader with a group is recommended to help acquaint the candidate with the skills and issues covered by the course.
Bikes are not provided on the course.

On completion of the training course candidates will be debriefed and advised on those areas for further experience. There should then be a consolidation period of 3 months prior to assessment.

On successful completion of the Mountain Bike Leader assessment the candidate will be qualified to lead groups of up to 6 riders within the UK as detailed below:

• On public highways, way marked routes, rights of way on which cycles are permitted, identifiable routes, tracks and trails with obvious navigational features and routes of considerable technical difficulty.
• On routes which are 90-95% rideable over the total length.
• In terrain more than 30 minutes walk from the nearest shelter with communication.
• To any height above sea level.
• In normal summer conditions during daylight hours.
• On multi day trips where the group does not require to be self-sufficient.

Outline of the Mountain Bike Leader Training Programme

Day 1
Introduction: Workshop Based Mechanics; Headsets / Wheel Truing / Cones / Bike set up /Teaching & Developing Advanced Skills: e.g. Bunny Hops / Lateral Jumps / Step Ups
Drop Offs / Balancing / Cornering at Speed (Using a range of Coaching Techniques).
Climbing and Descending (more technical terrain) / Technical Bike Clothing.
Leadership styles.

Evening session. Advanced Route Planning and Slick Bike Navigation.

Day 2
Navigation Skills / Fitness, Fuel and Hydration / Emergencies.
Weather and it’s effects / Multi-day trips / Knowledge of cycle sport.
Preparation for assessment.
Group Management on Technical Terrain.

Assessment
A full day mountain bike journey in MBL terrain. Working with a ratio 1:4 each candidate will receive a leg to lead. During that leg it is expected that they will deliver a flowing journey demonstrating good leadership practice and also coach a skill session.
The assessment is completely practical and does not involve any exam based paperwork.

Certification
Mountain Bike Leader certificates will be awarded by Scottish Cycling to candidates who have satisfactorily passed the MBL Assessment on the recommendation of the Tutor and who at the time of assessment;

1.Are registered with the SMBLA
2.Hold a valid first aid qualification.
3. Possess membership of British Cycling/Scottish Cycling.

All Mountain Bike Leader courses have a maximum of 8 candidates with 2 tutors.
MBL Course prices are £140 for the 2 days training and £50 for the 1 day Assessment.
When you come along on a Cyclewise course you will be given a voucher that entitles you to 10% off shop purchases for the duration of your course and 10% off your next course booking. (excludes SMBLA Assessments)
All MBL courses are run from our fantastic local YHA's and you can stay there even if you are not a member through our corporate membership.Other types of accommodation are available locally. Upon booking you will be sent all the course information you require.

Remember we can also run courses on request. If you have completed the TCL award and would like to progress to the MBL award but feel you do not posess the personal skills, we are now ofering Intermediate Skills Courses. If you have any questions about the Mountain Bike Leader course or the Intermediate course please do get in touch.

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