Leadership Pathway

The scheme provides training and assessment in mountain biking and leadership skills and offers awards at two levels in progression:

The Trail Cycle Leader Award (TCL)

The Trail Cycle Leader Award (TCL) consists of a two (or three) day training course followed by a one day assessment (for use in AALA defined non-licensable terrain)

The Mountain Bike Leader Award (MBL)

The Mountain Bike Leader Award (MBL) consists of an additional two days training plus a one day assessment (for use in AALA defined licensable terrain)

There are three additional modules available to all existing TCLs and MBLs.

Expedition Module (revised)

Available as a 2-day training course followed by a 2-night/3 day assessment.  Holders of the Expedition Module would be able to lead expeditions within the terrain covered by the remit of their MBLA leader award, e.g. a TCL could only lead expeditions within TCL terrain.

Night Riding Module

Will qualify Leaders to to operate in conditions outside the 'daytime only' remit of their award. The Module will enable TCLs to work in Night Time conditions within TCL terrain. MBLs will be able to lead on more technically difficult and remote terrain. The course will consist of a 7 hour Training Course, with at least 50% of the practical element to be undertaken in darkness. For the Module to be valid the candidate must then pass a 3 hour Assessment Course, which will be undertaken entirely during darkness.

Winter Conditions Module

Will extend the scope of the TCL and MBL award to enable Leaders to work outside the ‘summer conditions only’ remit. The module will consist of a 2 day training course and a 1 day assessment.  Day 1 of training is classroom based and can take place at any time of the year.Day 2 of training is practical and would take place in ‘winter’ conditions, as they occur.

This document should be read in conjunction with the MBLA Candidate Pathway which is available on the Scottish Cycling website downloads. The Candidate Pathway provides a step by step guide to any candidate wishing to undertake an MBLA award.

MBLA Registration

To participate in a training course a candidate must first register with the MBLA. Registration can be done on-line via the Scottish Cycling website “Shop” or by completing a registration form (available from the SC website) and sending it with a cheque for £30 to:

MBLA, Scottish Cycling, The Velodrome, London Road, Edinburgh EH7 6AD

The registration fee includes the MBLA Official Training Manual which contains the training modules for TCL and MBL, course documentation, log sheets, membership forms to join Scottish Cycling and other relevant information.

TCL/MBL Training

The maximum number of places on a TCL or MBL training course is 8.

Both TCL and MBL training courses have been specifically designed to inform and assist in the development of skills and experience required for the relevant Leader assessment and will include the following topics:

Clothing & Equipment, Planning & Preparation, Personal Performance (bike skills), Dealing with Emergencies, Navigation, Countryside Awareness, Teaching, Leadership, Fitness, Fuel & Hydration, Trailside Repairs and Bike set-up.

Pre-entry to Training

Trail Cycle Leader Award – Candidates must be over 18 years old and have Log book evidence of at least 20 mountain bike rides of 1.5hr duration in appropriate terrain and in a variety of weather and terrain conditions. Longer runs of 2-3 hrs duration, with at least one being 6 hours, and 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 leader with a group is recommended to help acquaint the candidate with the skills and issues covered by the courses. Ideally candidates must own their own bike or at least have easy access to one, e.g. their Centre or School has a fleet of bikes. Bikes are not provided on the course. Bikes should be fitted with a bike computer for use in the navigation session.

Mountain Bike Leader Award – as above but also hold a TCL award.

Note: candidates can apply for part exemption on proof of accreditation of prior learning which should be submitted to MBLA. However anyone wishing to become a Tutor must attend all parts of the training programme.

All training courses are run by MBLA registered Tutors, a list of which is available on the SC website at www.scottishcycling.org.uk

Assessment

The maximum number of places on a TCL or MBL Assessment course is 4.

Candidates should be effective in all parts of the syllabus before applying for assessment. They should be familiar with the assessment requirements as detailed in the MBLA Training Manual - provided on registration.

The TCL assessment requirements include completion of at least 10 logged rides between training and assessment during a minimum 30 day consolidation period. Candidates wishing to apply for exemption from this consolidation period must meet certain criteria and should apply to Scottish Cycling for a TCL Consolidation Period Exemption form, to be completed and sent to their intended assessment Tutor, whose decision on whether these criteria are met is final.

Candidates will be assessed in the following areas:

Clothing & Equipment, Planning & Preparation, Personal Performance (bike skills), Dealing with Emergencies, Navigation, Countryside Awareness, Leadership Fitness, Fuel & Hydration, Trailside Repairs and Bike set?up.

Trail Cycle Leader Assessment

On successful completion of the TCL assessment the candidate will be sufficiently skilled in mountain bike leading to lead groups of up to 6 riders throughout Scotland and 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 with low to medium technical difficulty.

On routes which are 90 to 95% rideable over their total length.

In terrain no more than 30 minutes walk away from a shelter with communication and to be no more than 600 metres in height. (ie. in AALA defined non-licensable terrain)

In normal summer conditions, during daylight

On multi-day trips where the group does not require to be self-sufficient.

A Trail Cycle Leader could also act as an assistant to a Mountain Bike Leader to gain experience towards attaining the next level of award.

Mountain Bike Leader Assessment

On successful completion of the MBL assessment the candidate will be sufficiently skilled in mountain bike leading to lead groups of up to 6 riders within Scotland and 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 requiring considerable technical difficulty.

On routes which are 90 to 95% rideable over their total length.

In terrain more than 30 minutes walk from the nearest shelter with communication. (ie in AALA defined licensable terrain)

To any height above sea level.

In normal summer conditions during daylight

On multi-day trips where the group does not require to be self sufficient.

Certification

TCL/MBL certificates will be awarded by Scottish Cycling to candidates who have satisfactorily passed the TCL/MBL assessment on recommendation of the Tutor, and who, at the time of assessment, hold a valid first aid qualification. 

For a Trail Cycle Leader or Mountain Bike Leader Award to remain valid the candidates must possess membership of Scottish Cycling/British Cycling through the MBLA (or an existing club or race team), hold an appropriate and valid first aid certificate, First Aid training must be provided by organisations approved by the HSE for purposes of First Aid training, and delivered by staff who are registered with that organisation as First Aid Trainers/Assessors. Courses must be a minimum of twelve hours, with no sessions shorter than 2 hours.

For more information please contact:

Scottish Cycling, The Velodrome, London Road, Edinburgh EH7 6AD

Website: www.scottishcycling.org.uk 

Tel: 0131652 0187

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