FUNdamentals of mountain bike leadership
Ridelines are proud to offer British Cycling’s latest MTB Leadership course for entry level of road riding. The FUNdamentals of Mountain Bike Leadership its a must for the club helper, activity centre employee, teacher or indeed any individual who would like to develop their knowledge base with a mind to adventuring on bikes off road. Imagine having the confidence to plan and lead cycling routes that will inspire the people with you to perhaps do the same one day.
On this course we will give you the tools to consider how you can confidently plan and execute these rides within a limited remit. This remit will allow you to venture out of the urban environment and into the countryside of the UK
Together with Scottish Cycling and experts in the outdoor industry, British Cycling have developed a course that combines online learning with face-to-face training and assessment that gives you all the skills you need to start leading mountain bike rides. Thought you might already be a regular on group or club rides off-road and therefore wondering where this award fits in? There are a few important elements to the qualification that will both empower and protect you for future activity. These include:
- Learn leadership principles and skills from the most experienced mountain bike tutors in the country.
- Get the most out of your route planning with a dedicated module.
- Keep rolling with the knowledge to fix simple trailside repairs.
- Be prepared with plans to manage accidents and emergencies.
- Get protected with British Cycling leader insurance.
This course is ideal for anyone who wants to lead groups using mixed road and off-road environments. This might include rides that are already taking place but require development and insurance, or perhaps you are looking to organise activity for your school, college, activity centre, or simply a group of friends. Your remit would be to lead on terrain that ranges from the urban fringe and gravel tracks through to open countryside, woodland and terrain similar to trail centre “blue graded” routes.
Where does the course take place?
Above everything we need a comfortable learning environment so that everyone gets the best out of the course. We have a fully equipped classroom and workshop located at Innerleithen in The Scottish Borders that is ideal for this. However, if travel for your group is not an option we can travel to your location to deliver the course. Please use the contact form below to let us know your requirements.
What type of time investment does the course require?
- 3-4 hours of learning via British Cycling online & handbook Learning.
- An 8 hour training course day with Ridelines.
- An 8 hour further learning and assessment day with Ridelines.
What do I need to be able to register?
- The minimum age to attend a course is 16 (Scotland) or 17 (England and Wales) years old. You will only be able to lead independently once aged 17 in Scotland and 18 in England and Wales.
- You must be able to ride a mountain bike (or another appropriate bike for the terrain) comfortably on roads with some traffic, off-road and mountain bike trails up to “blue grade” be regularly riding and have an appropriate level of fitness
- Complete a logbook to evidence your recent rides. We recommend a minimum of ten rides of at least 1 hour and five rides of at least 2.5 hours duration (inclusive alternatives are available by request) over the last six months. British Cycling have a downloadable Logbook that can be saved electronically or printed if needed.
What else do I need to do to achieve the Award?
In order for your award to be accredited in addition to successful completion of your Fundamentals of Mountain Bike Leadership, you are required to:
- Hold British Cycling Membership of Ride level or above.
- Attend and evidence a two-day outdoor First Aid course.
- Undergo and evidence safeguarding training appropriate to the country you are leading in.
