about the SMBLA

The SMBLA is the Scottish Mountain Bike Leaders Association and the TCL is the Trail Cycle Leader Award, their first level of guiding qualification. This gives you the skills and knowledge to lead groups of mountain bikers, be they paying clients or your mates. The MBL is the Mountain Bike Leader Award, the next step up from the TCL. You can find out more about the awards on the SMBLA website, or just have a chat with us or Jules.

To formally go through with the training you’ll need to register with the SMBLA through the Scottish Cycling website (£30), they'll send you a manual and course paper work. You’ll then need to complete a log book of rides and a few route guides. We can chat to you about this, and Jules is also happy to help you out with any questions you have. If you don’t want to do all this, that’s fine, you can come along and do all the training, but won’t be signed off, so won’t be able to go onto assessment.

Trail Cycle Leaders are qualified to lead groups of up to 6 riders throughout Scotland and the UK as outlined 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 with low to medium technical difficulty. 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 a shelter with communication, and to be no more than 600 metres in height. They will not involve cycling activity of more than one day’s length.

Mountain Bike Leaders are qualified to lead groups of riders throughout Scotland and the UK as outlined below:

On public highways, way marked routes, rights of way on which cycles are permitted, identifiable routes and tracks with obvious navigational features, routes requiring considerable technical ability which are rideable for 90-95% of their total length. The award covers normal summer conditions.

On multi-day trips*, and to any height above sea level and more than 30 minutes walk from the nearest shelter with communication. Multi-day trips will cover the carrying of additional equipment and planning and management of groups on such trips.

The TCL and MBL consist of a two day training course, followed by a one day assessment. You can undergo assessment back in the UK – Jules can help you find a suitable date to do this.

Further information and pre-requirements for the Trail Cycle Leader Award

TCL candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Be registered with the Scottish Mountain Bike Leader Association
• Be over 18 years old
• 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
• Have log book evidence of longer runs of 2-3 hrs duration with at least one being 6 hours. 2-3 detailed route cards should also be included

In addition, it is recommended that:

• Candidates have evidence of having acted as an assistant leader with an MTB group
• Candidates have their own bike or at least have easy access to one, e.g. through their Centre or School. We can arrange bike hire with one of our lovely Santa Cruz bikes. You will also need to fit a trip computer to your bike.

Pre-requirements for Mountain Bike Leader Candidates

MBL candidates must meet the following requirements:

Download a PDF about the SMBLA scheme here