SCOTTISH MOUNTAIN BIKE LEADER AWARD
Mountain Bike Leadership
Scottish Cycling delivers Trail Cycle Leader Courses and Mountain Bike Leader Courses through registered SMBLA Tutors. The Scottish Mountain Bike Leader Award scheme is recognised as a model of best practise throughout the UK. More details are available on the bottom of this website. If you are interested in becoming a Trail Cycle Leader check out the list of 2010 Courses or contact one of the Tutors on the Tutor List for details of training courses they are running. Please note that the course fees are set by the Tutors. SMBLA Registration and Membership fees are additional to the course costs.
SMBLA Scheme
The SMBLA scheme has been developed by Scottish Cycling, in conjunction with the Scottish Advisory Panel in Outdoor Education (SAPOE), in order to provide a framework and qualification for Leaders to deliver mountain biking as a safe and enjoyable sport and activity.
The course is endorsed by the Adventure Activity Licensing Authority (AALA) and Mountain Leader Training Scotland (MLTS), and recognised by British Cycling (BC). Scottish Cycling is the governing body for cycle-sport in Scotland and is an integral part of British Cycling.
The scheme provides training and assessment in mountain biking and leadership skills.
Scottish Cycling and SAPOE bring together a broad base of expertise across recreational and competitive mountain biking as well as outdoor education and leadership schemes in other activities.
Trail Cycle Leader and Mountain Bike Leader
The scheme offers awards at two levels, the Trail Cycle Leader (TCL) and the Mountain Bike Leader (MBL). The comprehensive syllabus for each award includes mountain biking skills, trailside repairs and bike set-up, navigation and leadership.
The Trail Cycle Leader Award consists of a two day training course, followed by a one day assessment. Holders of a Trail Cycle Leader Award can progress to Mountain Bike Leader, with a further 2 days training and one day assessment.
Additional Modules
Both TCL & MBL award holders can further the scope of their award by undertaking any of the additional modules:
Expedition Module
Night Riding Module
Winter Conditions Module
COMING SOON... A brand new Technical Skills course aimed to improve riders' personal performance and act as a stepping stone for TCL holders to progress to MBL.
SMBLA Scheme Pre-Entry Requirements
1. SMBLA Registration
Prior to any training course you must first register with the SMBLA. Your registration pack includes the SMBLA Training Manual which contains all the topics covered in TCL and MBL training and assessment, together with all the documentation you require for the course, including log sheets and membership forms. Registration can be done on-line via the web "Shop", or download a Registration form and send it with a cheque to Scottish Cycling. Current Registration fee is £50.00 which was changed on 1st March 2010.
2. Logbook
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 riding 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. Logbook sheets are provided within the SMBLA Training Manual, included in candidates' Registration pack (see below).
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 course.
Ideally candidates must have their own bike or at least have easy access to one, e.g. through their Centre or School. Bikes are not provided on the course.
Training Courses
Training courses have been specifically designed to provide the information for and assist with the development of skills and experience required for the assessment. The courses are run by registered SMBLA Tutors. Some subjects covered by the Trail Cycle Leader training are repeated in the Mountain Bike Leader training, but are developed further and covered in greater detail.
Many of the Tutors are available to run courses in your area or at your outdoor centre, college etc, please contact them individually for details. A list of registered Tutors is available in the Downloads section or by contacting Scottish Cycling.
The Candidate Pathway, also in the Download section, aims to take you through the scheme step by step.
Trail Cycle Leader
On successful completion of TCL assessment the participant will be sufficiently skilled in mountain bike leading to lead groups of up to 6 riders throughout Scotland and the UK as detailed below:-
Public highways, way-marked routes, rights-of-way on which cycles are permitted, identifiable routes, tracks and trails with obvious navigational features. 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 the nearest accessible road or a shelter with communication. They will not involve cycling activity of more than one day length.
A Trail Cycle Leader could also act as an assistant to a Mountain Bike Leader, and would be encouraged to do so to attain the next level of award.
Mountain Bike Leader
On successful completion of MBL assessment the participant will be sufficiently skilled in mountain bike leading to lead groups within Scotland and the UK as detailed below:-
Public highways, way marked routes, rights of way on which cycles are permitted, identifiable routes and tracks with obvious navigational features which are rideable for 90-95% of their total length and to any height above sea level and more than 30 minutes walk from the nearest shelter with communication. The award covers normal summer conditions.
Expedition Leader
An Expedition Leader can lead self-sufficient groups on multi-day trips which requires carrying additional equipment and planning and management of groups on such trips. Terrain and technical difficulty are determined by the scope of the Expedition Leader's level of award (TCL or MBL).
Night Riding Leader
A Night Riding Leader can work in conditions outside the 'daytime only' remit of the TCL/MBL awards. The duration of any route chosen must also be within the battery life of lights used.
Assessment
Candidates will be assessed in the following areas:
Clothing & Equipment; Planning & Preparation; Riding skills; Emergency Planning; Navigation; Access Rights & Responsibilities; Leadership; Fitness, Fuel & Hydration; Trailside Repairs & Bike set-up; Hazards & Risk Management; Weather; Legal Issues & Liability.
No prior accreditation of learning is accepted for SMBLA training or assessment from candidates who have attended courses provided by other award schemes.
A TCL or MBL certificate will only be issued if the candidate possesses an appropriate and current First Aid certificate and membership of Scottish Cycling/British Cycling. Both First Aid and membership must be kept current for a TCL or MBL qualification to remain valid.
First Aid
First Aid training must be provided by organisations approved by 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 12 hours, with no sessions shorter than 2 hours.
Courses must include:* action at an incident
* management of an unconscious casualty
* resuscitation
* treatment and control of bleeding
* treatment of injuries to bones, muscles and joints
* recognition and treatment of shock
* treatment of choking
* recognition and treatment of common illnesses
* contents of First Aid box
The course must contain material relevant to the outdoor environment. There is a list of First Aid training providers which meet the above criteria and are recognised as appropriate for the First Aid and Safety element of this award. If in doubt about the suitability of a first aid qualification please supply a copy of the syllabus to Scottish Cycling for approval.
Leader Insurance through SC-BC Membership
TCL and MBL award holders who retain membership of Scottish Cycling at Silver or Gold level and a valid First Aid certificate receive (Third Party) insurance cover from British Cycling while working as Leaders in the UK or in Europe. If a TCL or MBL can provide evidence of having attended an approved training course in Child Protection, they are additionally awarded Professional Indemnity insurance by British Cycling. Leaders are strongly advised to opt for Silver or Gold membership unless they have their own insurance or cover by an employer.
Aspiring SMBLA Tutors
Candidates who aspire to become a Tutor must first apply to the SMBLA Committee and accompany their application with a letter of recommendation from an existing tutor, a summary of their mountain bike experience to date, and details of any other relevant qualifications and experience. Please refer to the Tutor job description and application guidelines in the Downloads section. Candidates must already hold the Mountain Bike Leader Award. The full Tutor Pathway is also available from the Downloads.
If you have any questions on the SMBLA award scheme or feedback on courses you have attended please send them to Scottish Cycling: smbla@scottishcycling.org.uk
Documents to Download:
SMBLA_REGISTRATION_FORM (112KB Word) / SMBLA REGISTRATION FORM (62KB pdf)
SMBLA COURSES (143KB pdf)
SC - BC Senior Membership Form (90KB pdf)
Route Card (47KB pdf)
SMBLA AWARD SCHEME INFO (31KB pdf)
SMBLA Candidate Pathway (41KB pdf)
SMBLA LOGBOOK (61KB Word)
SMBLA_FIRST_AID (24KB pdf)
SMBLA Tutor Pathway (54KB pdf)
SMBLA TUTORS (31KB pdf)
TCL Consolidation Exemption Form (55KB Word)
TCL MBL ASSESSMENT CANDIDATE (41KB Word)
TCL & MBL Training Completed Candidate (40KB Word)