The SMBLA Trail Cycle Leader Award (TCL)

This is a Level Two Award (Level Two is the entry level) aimed at all people who want to become leaders for mountain biking. The TCL Award consists of a two day training course followed by a one day assessment. The course will be run under the auspices of the Scottish Mountain bike Leaders Award (SMBLA). Here is some information regarding this organisation and what your training path will be.

Pre course requirements

• Participants must be over 18 years old
• Have joined the SMBLA at a cost of £48 which gets you:
  • The SMBLA Official Training Manual
  • Course documentation
  • Logbook sheets and route cards
  • Forms to join British Cycling
• Have logged 20 recent mountain bike rides which must be sent to us at least a week before training
• Have read the SMBLA Training Manual
• Have your own bike which is fitted with a bike computer (in km) for use in the navigation section.

Equipment List

1. Suitable Mountain Bike (in good working condition)

2. Cycle helmet and gloves

3. Cycle computer in kilometres

4. Eye protection

5. Suitable clothing for a days cycle ride

6. Backpack, with spare clothing

7. Small tool kit, including pump and inner tubes

8. Food and drink (including lunch)

9. First aid kit

10. Permanent pen for writing on maps

11. Compass (maps will be provided)

12. SMBLA training manual and registration number.

Details of course schedules are posted in the Events section.

Ready to take your mountain biking to a new level? Our mountain bike training course for the advanced rider enables the rider to hone their skills and deal with problem areas. To a large extent this training course is tailor made for the particular group and allows for a more personalised programme to benefit the rider as much as possible. The majority of the day is spent on single track and will focus on advanced techniques such as line selection, large drop offs and riding at speed. Course schedules are posted in the Events Section. To book a place on our courses please complete the form in the bookings section.

We advise that you attend the beginners course before trying the intermediate course unless you have been mountain biking for a year or so. Our intermediate training course builds on the basic skills you have learned on the beginners course. We recommend that having completed the beginners course you should try to hone the skills you have learned for a few months before immediately attending an intermediate course. This way you will have more questions to ask and will have undoubtedly have a few problem areas that you will want to address specifically.

This unattractive hilltop is everything urban. Some great views of the coast but that is about it as far as the landscape goes. It is a busy spot and is never quiet at any time. It is rugged and patchy where the forests have been ripped out of the landscape. However it is a much needed recreational resource in this part of the country. Unfortunately It is very underdeveloped in that regard. The terrain is hard and rugged. Unlike the rolling green hills that you see in Wicklow for example, this mountain just stands there like Arnold Schwarzennegar.