MBLA - Mountain Bike Leader Award Training Courses & Assessments

Why Choose 1MTB1?

1MTB1 are the UK's most established and reputable provider of MBLA (Mountain Bike Leaders Award scheme) training and assessment courses. We run MBLA training courses from our base in Snowdonia, North Wales, as well as our other hubs throughout the UK, Ireland and Switzerland. 1MTB1's tutor Jonathan Collins has been delivering MBLA training courses for over 7 years. He set up and continues to run the MBLA scheme for Plas y Brenin (PYB) the National Mountain Center, Jonathan has also set up all the other mountain biking courses for Plas y Brenin as well as used our imput for developing the new Plas y brenin mountain biking skills trail. Jonathan is also involved in the scheme at the National Outdoor Center in Northern Ireland (Tollymore Mountain Center) as well as acting as technical adviser for many other outdoor education centers.

MBLA courses definately give you a serious qualification, but whilst you're on the course we'll make sure you have fun whilst learning and we'll keep it down to earth! Both the Trail Cycle Leader (TCL) and Mountain Bike Leader (MBL) training courses are very hands on and practical so we'll get you out of the class room and onto your bike as much as we can. After all, that's what it's all about!

We provide our own course notes (in addition to the official course manual) which will help you through the training. We have also developed our own Core Skills Teaching Cards which assist leaders in coaching riding techniques. These illustrated, pocket sized, weather proofed cards breakdown each skill in a structured format, making them a practical resource to take out on the trail.

We hope to see you on one of our courses soon...

MBLA: The lowdown…..

The MBLA (Mountain Bike Leader Award scheme) is the only National Governing Body Mountain Bike Award Scheme in the UK (Scottish Cycling is the administrative and awarding body for all MBLA qualifications). MBLA is recognised by British Cycling, the UK’s National Governing Body for Cycling and it is the only scheme approved, promoted and funded through the National Skills Academy. The MBLA level three award (MBL) is the only biking qualification that is recognised by AALS (Adventure Activities Licensing Scheme), qualifying leaders to take groups into high mountain terrain without the addition of an ML (Mountain Leader) qualification awarded by the MLTB (Mountain Leader Training Board). MBLA qualifications are valid in Europe.

MBLA has become the number 1 Mountain Bike Leadership award and is the qualification of choice for most outdoor education centers, schools, outdoor groups and clubs as well as the most desired qualification for holiday companies in the Alps and other European destinations.

The MBLA courses…

There are two MBLA courses available, Trail Cycle Leader (level 2) and Mountain Bike Leader (level 3). You must qualify as a Trail Cycle Leader before you can move onto the Mountain Bike Leader. Both courses consist of 2 days training followed by a 1 day assessment.

Trail Cycle Leader

This qualification is aimed at those who want be become leaders of mountain biking activities on trails of up to a medium technical difficulty. The course syllabus covers all aspects of leading in non-remote terrain. For more information go the Trail Cycle Leader page.

Mountain Bike Leader

This is a more advance award aimed at those who wish to lead in remote and technically demanding terrain. The course syllabus covers all aspects of leading in a mountain environment. For more information go to the Mountain Bike Leader page.