Here at Plas y Brenin we are surrounded by some of the finest mountain biking routes in Europe. We have world class single track routes like the Marin Trail in the Gwydyr forest and Penmachno right outside the back door and other classics like Coed y Brenin and Coed Llandegla only a few minutes away. We’ve seen first hand the dramatic increase in popularity of this exciting, now well-established sport and we're convinced it’s here to stay. As the National Mountain Centre we’re keen to make sure that people enjoy the mountain in a safe and responsible way, allowing them to have even more fun. That’s why we’re offering a chance for outdoor leaders to broaden their horizons and include mountain biking in their line up of qualifications. If you lead groups in the outdoors whether as a professional or on a voluntary basis, these qualifications may be of use to you. We have chosen to offer the Scottish Mountain Bike leader Award which is endorsed by The Adventure Activities Licensing Authority and Mountain Leader Training Scotland, and recognised by British Cycling. The award exists in two levels and provides training and assessment in mountain biking and leadership skills.
Trail Cycle Leader & Mountain Bike Leader
The scheme offers awards at two levels, the Trail Cycle Leader (TCL) and the Mountain Bike Leader (MBL). Each covers mountain biking skills, repairs and cycle set-up, navigation and leadership.
The Awards
Each award consists of a two day training course, followed by a one day assessment. Holders of theTrail Cycle Leader Award can then progress to the Mountain Bike Leader Award. Entry to the Expedition Module will be available to both qualified TCL & MBL award holders.
The SMBL Scheme
As part of any of our mountain bike courses you will be expected to bring your own bike and cycling equipment. Please ensure your bike is safe, roadworthy and well maintained. If it is not, you may be unable to take part in the course. (With 2 weeks notice we can arrange suitable bike hire for a fee of £35)
Please note: All participants will need to register for Scottish Cycling’s SMBLA scheme before attending these courses. (See page 50 for contact details.)
The SMBLA scheme has been developed by Scottish Cycling, in conjunction with the Scottish Advisory Panel in Outdoor Education and endorsed by the Adventure Activity Licensing Authority and Mountain Leader Training, and recognised by British Cycling. The scheme provides training and assessment in mountain biking and leadership skills.
Quick Course Finder
Previous Experience
No. Days
Cost
Dates
£
(Non residential)
Mountain Bike Skills
Want to get more out of your mountain biking? Let us improve your riding skills, Find out all about the attack position, better braking, slick gear changing, cornering , weight shift for up hills and down hills, line choice, track stands, and front and rear wheel lifts. This weekend will make use of a mixture of the natural and man made tracks that surround Plas y Brenin
Previous ExperienceYou should have your own bike and personal kit. You will have completed a few rides already and be capable of riding for 4-5 hours on rugged terrain.
No. Days
Cost
Dates
2
£
180
'Off The Beaten Track' Mountain Bike Navigation
Mountain Bike navigation is notoriously tricky, you are often in woods, often moving at speed and need some idea of how long a journey will take. Making use of natural trails, this course unravels some of the mysteries of mountain bike navigation. You will look at how to use different scales of map, consider how useful a compass is, find out how to use a cycle computer to help you navigate and of course we'll take a brief look at the GPS. You will enjoy planning a route and prepare a route plan which you will then follow on the second day of the course.
Previous ExperienceYou should have your own bike and personal kit. You will have completed a few rides already and be capable of riding for 4-5 hours on rugged terrain.
No. Days
Cost
Dates
2
£
180
Guided Classic Rides
Over five days, our mountain bike guides will take you on a tour of some of the finest natural and man made mountain bike trails in Europe including some hidden gems not to be found in any guide book.
From technical single track to rolling remote mountain routes, you’ll see it all as each day you set out on a new adventure.
Apart from enjoying the varied riding and beautiful scenery, you'll also benefit from in-depth sessions on technical riding skills, improvised first aid, navigation, running repairs and learn plenty about the mountain environment too.
Previous ExperienceFit enough to ride for 3-4 hours a day for five continous days.
No. Days
Cost
Dates
5
£
367
Guided Classic Trails
A weekend tour of some of the Snowdonia's finest natural mountain bike trails. With the empahasis on purely clocking up the miles and having fun, you'll enjoy some great scenery and pick up plenty of tips from our mountain bike guides along the way.
Previous ExperienceFit enough to ride for 4-5 hours for two days running.
No. Days
Cost
Dates
2
£
(Non residential)
GPS For Mountain Bikers
Learning to use a handheld GPS navigation system can completely change your biking, opening up the outdoors and allowing you to move on from man made trails to having real adventures on your bike. With all the learning done 'in the saddle' this rapid fire weekend gives you all you need to find your way on a bike and it all takes place on some amazing trails to, so there will be plenty of great riding thown in.
Previous ExperienceYou should have your own bike and personal kit and be fit enough to ride for 4-5 hours for two days running.
No. Days
Cost
Dates
2
£
180
Trail Cycle Leader Training
The TCL is qualified to lead groups of up to 8 riders throughout the UK on public highways, way-marked routes, rights-of-way on which cycles are permitted, identifiable routes, tracks and trails with obvious navigational features and with low to medium technical difficulty. The award covers normal summer conditions. These routes will be 90-95% rideable and take the group no more than 30 minutes walk, by a reasonably fit person, away from a shelter with communication, and to be no more than 600 metres in height. They will not involve cycling activity of more than one day?s length.
A Trail Cycle Leader could also act as an assistant to a Mountain Bike Leader.
Previous Experience18 yrs of age with some mountain biking and a good level of fitness. A ride log of 20 rides.
No. Days
Cost
Dates
2
£
194
Trail Cycle Leader Assessment
Candidates should be effective in mountain bike leading when applying for assessment. They should be familiar with the course requirements and syllabus, as detailed in the course materials. An outline of the assessment procedures and criteria will be provided on the training courses.
Candidates must hold a valid first aid award at the time of assessment and are required to keep it valid.
Successful completion of this assessment will qualify you to lead groups of up to 8 riders within the boundaries set out in TCL Training listed previously. You will also be eligible to be accepted on the next level of the SMBLA Scheme - the Mountain Bike Leader.
Previous ExperienceAttended TCL training course
No. Days
Cost
Dates
1
£
84
Mountain Bike Leader Training
The MBL is qualified to lead groups within the UK on public highways, way marked routes, rights of way on which cycles are permitted, identifiable routes and tracks with obvious navigational features and routes requiring considerable technical ability which are rideable for 90-95% of their total length.
The award covers normal summer conditions.
Previous ExperienceTCL Award Holder and 20 additional logged rides.
No. Days
Cost
Dates
2
£
189
Mountain Bike Leader Assessment
Candidates should be effective in mountain bike leading on applying for assessment. They should be familiar with the course requirements and syllabus, as detailed in the course materials. An outline of the assessment procedures and criteria will be provided on the training courses.
Candidates should hold a valid first aid award at the time of assessment and are required to keep it valid.
Previous Experiencehave attended MBL training course
No. Days
Cost
Dates
1
£
84 (Non residential)
Night Riding Module Training
An additional module for qualified Trail Cycle Leaders (TCL) and Mountain Bike Leaders (MBL) to enable them to work in conditions outside the 'daytime only' remit of their award. This course starts at lunch time and finishes late in the evening after some practical night riding sessions. For the Module to be valid the candidate must then pass an assessment which will be undertaken entirely during darkness.
Previous ExperienceTCL or MBL Award Holder
No. Days
Cost
Dates
1
£
99 (Non residential)
Night Riding Module Assessment
An additional module for qualified Trail Cycle Leaders (TCL) and Mountain Bike Leaders (MBL) to enable them to work in conditions outside the 'daytime only' remit of their award. This course starts at lunch time and finishes late in the evening after some practical night riding sessions. For the Module to be valid the candidate must then pass an assessment which will be undertaken entirely during darkness.
Previous ExperienceTCL or MBL Award Holder
No. Days
Cost
Dates
1
£
99 (Non residential)
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