Mountain Bike Leadership Courses – MBLA – TCL & MBL

Course Facts

If you want to lead young people on mountain bike journeys you need to be qualified. Even leading adults, for which no qualification is required, it’s good to know that you’re operating under the umbrella of the National Governing Body (NGB) of cycling. It’s reassuring for those cycling with you too, knowing that they are in the hands of a qualified leader.

At CycleActive we run Mountain Bike Leader Association (MBLA) leadership courses (formerly the SMBLA). The leadership awards are recognised by AALS, British Cycling (BC) and as a leader and BC member you can benefit from free professional insurance in recognition of your affiliation to the NGB. We believe that this, as the only governing body award in mountain bike leadership, is the right choice for all leaders.

Our courses are generally run from the CycleActive centre at Brougham Hall in Penrith. This gives you access to great local trails, carefully organised teaching areas and a good range of accommodation choices nearby too.

If you want to arrange a group course, contact chris@cycleactive.co.uk and we can arrange to travel to any location in the UK if needed.

There are two primary levels of qualification:

Trail Cycle Leader (TCL)
This two-day course, followed by a one-day assessment, is the core qualification for anyone wishing to lead groups of mountain bikers, especially youth groups. It covers a whole range of skills from bike navigation to trailside repairs and basic skills coaching – a full syllabus is available on request.

There are restrictions to where you can lead with this course (altitude / distance from help / level of terrain) but for most outdoor centres and private leaders it is the benchmark qualification that makes biking safer and more enjoyable for all future clients.

Further details of the TCL syllabus, pre-entry requirements and other useful facts are contained in our pre-course information booklet. If you want to talk through your suitability for this course before applying, contact us and we’ll be happy to discuss your questions or concerns.

Mountain Bike Leader (MBL)
This two-day course, followed by a one-day assessment, is the next step after TCL and trains you in the advanced skills required to lead groups higher and deeper into the mountains. To do this safely and with the benefit of insurance, backed by best practice, you need to get this further qualification.

The MBL qualification is the highest level mountain bike leadership award available in the UK. There are alternatives from the CTC and MIAS but these are restricted for use above 600 metres only in good weather, and rely on leaders having other, non-biking accreditations for mixed or variable conditions.

As such, you should expect a high level of training and challenge when attending an MBL course, and at the end we will review your progress in detail and create a targeted action plan to guide you through to a successful assessment.

Our Training Approach
Our head of leadership training, Chris Ford, is one of the leading MBLA Tutors in the UK. He is a member of the MBLA committee, rewrote the entire mtb skills and coaching section of the 2010 Official Handbook, and is one of the six national Mentor Tutors, responsible for the training and development of the next generation of MBLA Tutors.

The courses we offer have been developed by Chris over ten years, and are delivered to the highest educational standards. There is a focus on learning through action, shared group feedback, and positive development of ideas, interests and skills throughout the process.

New for 2011 we will be introducing video coaching to a number of the sessions. The idea is to give candidates an alternative insight into not only their personal bike riding skills, but also their delivery to groups. Our training room at Brougham Hall is equipped for instant video review, but we can also load all content to our Youtube and Facebook pages.

Additional Qualifications
At CycleActive we are involved in all aspects of the MBLA training process, and for any small group of candidates we can also deliver the following modules:

Expedition Module

2 Days Training
2 nights 3 Days Assessment
Able to lead groups on multi day, self-sufficient trips
Able to lead expeditions under the award holders remit (TCL OR MBL).

Night Riding Module

7 Hours Training (50% practical undertaken in the dark)
3 hour Assessment (100% under the cover of darkness)
Able to lead night rides under the award holders remit (TCL OR MBL)

Winter Conditions Module

2 days training (1 day classroom based + 1 day practical based)
1 Day assessment
Able to lead in Intermediate and Winter condition but only in TCL terrain, regardless of the level of award held

Trail Cycle Leader (TCL)

Price:
£140 for training
£80 for assessment

Duration:
2 days training
1 day assessment

The biking:
every day, plus classroom sessions
Fully guided
Fitness grade 2
Skill grade B
Group size 4-8 training
Group size 3-4 assessment

What’s included:
Professional instruction from an experienced MBLA Tutor
Training room facilities
Guidance in registrations and insurance
Pre-course information pack
Post-course online video review

Training Course Dates:

2012
16 -17 January
4 – 5 February (Weekend)
20 – 21 March
10 – 11 April
8 - 9 May
18 - 19 June
9 – 10 July
20 -21 August
10 – 11 September
22 – 23 September (Weekend)
22 -23 October
19 – 20 November
10 - 11 December

Additional dates can be added on request.

Please Email: rich@cycleactive.co.uk
2012 Dates will be online by October 2011

Assessment Dates:

2012
18 January
6 February
22 March
12 April
10 May
20 June
11 July
22 August
12 September
24 September
24 October
21 November
12 December

Additional dates can be added on request.

Please Email: rich@cycleactive.co.uk
2012 Dates will be online by October 2011

Mountain Bike Leader (MBL)

Price:
£160 for training
£90 for assessment

Duration:
2 days training
1 day assessment

The biking:
Every day, plus classroom sessions
Fully guided
Fitness grade 3
Skill grade C
Group size 4-8

What’s included:
Professional instruction from an experienced MBLA Tutor
Training room facilities
Post-course video review

Training Course Dates:

2011
12 – 13 December

2012
23 - 24 January
12 – 13 March
16 – 17 April
25 – 26 June
8 - 9 August

Additional dates can be added on request.

Please Email: rich@cycleactive.co.uk
2012 Dates will be online by October 2011

Assessment Dates:

2011
16 December

2012
30 January
27 February
22 March
9 May
2 July
13 August

Additional dates can be added on request.

Please Email: rich@cycleactive.co.uk
2012 Dates will be online by October 2011

Make a booking

Email us your questions:

admin@cycleactive.co.uk

Talk to our team of experts:

+ 44 (0)1768 840 400

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