Technical Mountain Bike Leader Award
Course Type
This course is available as:
The Technical Leader Award covers the vast majority of useable mountain biking access within the UK and Europe. Providing the knowledge and skills base to manage and develop groups skills in technical terrain to a high level of competency means this qualification is well recognised and Technical Leaders are appreciated by employers, customers and group members.
Essentially taking the elements developed through the Trail Leader Award, this course goes into substantially more depth and expectations of your abilities (as leaders, not just riding capabilities) are high. You will be competent at riding in technical ground, developing your riders skills, navigating to detail and sorting out mechanical and other incidents, all whilst motivating, engaging and educating your group members.
Technical Leaders are also able to provide all of the skill awards to their group members, ensuring enjoyment, engagement, reward and progression within the activity.
Technical Leader course details
| Duration: | 24 hours over two and a half days or over three days |
| Course type: | Combined training and assessment. more>>>> |
| Terrain: | Technical riding which means lumps, bumps, rocks and roots. more>>>> |
| Course options: | Provided through both open courses and as special courses at your venue. more>>>> |
Entry requirements
Combined Training and Assessment option - For the combined training and assessment version of the Technical Leader course, prior to attending you will have completed:
- Either the Trail Leader Award or
- The Fast Tracker course
- A logbook of led rides in trail terrain (minimum of 6, but evidence of 20 or more leader experiences) and 12 personal rides (covering at least three geologically different areas) in technical terrain
- We recomment that you hold a valid and appropriate first aid certificate (or obtain one shortly after your course).
The Technical Leader course requires that you have moved on significantly from your previous courses. You will also:
- Have furthered your concept of navigation to be able to identify your location at any point on a cycle accessible route or right of way
- Have gained a concept of additional maintenance skills such as gear indexing and limit screw adjustment, brake adjustment, pedal and crank fitting, rider ergonomics
- Be 18 years of age or more
Prior to your Technical Leader course attendance, you will be required to submit:
- your completed logbook
- a completed question paper
Therefore, late applications to this course are not accepted.
Progression routes
The Technical Leader Award will suffice for the majority of group leading situations, however following on from the this course, the Technical Leader can (where required) go on to attend the Skill Instructor Award, the Advanced Leader training course or take up a cultural module where moving to a different EU country.
Technical Leaders may also be able to go on to become Trainers and then Leader Trainers.
Technical Leaders may also take up other associated qualifications such as CyTech for maintenance, or implement much of the knowledge and skills gained hrough this course in other outdoor activity qualifications.
Who else uses the Technical Leader Award?
Technical Leader's are widely skilled and able to take advantage of the majority
of mountain biking available. Many employers, insurers, participants and leaders
look to the Technical Leader Award as the benchmark of competence for complete
mountain bike leading.
Technical Leaders cover all environments from holiday guides through teachers and youth workers to multi activity instructors and those running their own mountain biking businesses. Many Technical Leaders are involved in skill instruction, both with young people (using the skill awards for example) and with adults (furthering their riding) as well as leading groups.
The Technical Leader qualification is used throughout Europe, notably in the hills and mountainous areas, capitalising on the CTC cultural module system to enable transferance between EU countries.
Course Calendar
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