[Closed] MBLA Course

Yes, did mine (mostly) with Jules Fincham in Aviemore (highly recommended by the way).

It's a good course for what it is. At the end of the day, you only get 4 days training, which isn't a lot (compared to, say, a ski instructor or a mountain guide).

As such, it's more of a verification of existing skills than intended to give you new ones. At the same time, even if you're already a competent rider/navigator, you'll still get some good stuff from it in terms of making you think about things a bit more deeply and making you look at how to coach riders. For me, all of that stuff was useful, plus it made me go out and practise some skills I'd neglected (manuals, bunny-hops, etc.). In terms of technical trail riding, I could have passed the final assessment before ever doing the first training course. Still good to get out and ride with some like-minded people who might bring some different ideas with them.

Cost varies depending on who's running the course, figure around £120 for each of the 2 training courses, £75ish for each of the 2 assessment courses.

Seconded for Jules at cyclewild Scotland. I did my course there and it was a very enjoyable experience. Costs as Stevo says but factor in that you might need some equipment if you don't want to borrow it just for the course... things like crank extractors, v-brake blocks, group shelters and things a lot of people probably don't already have. The technical side of it is fairly easy. There is a fair bit of time spent on things like navigation, group managemnet and interesting stuff like knowing your surroundings (e.g. birds, flowers, geology etc).

I think the course is good, it's definitely worth doing. I picked up loads of interesting things and when I started guiding I found myself replaying Jules's advice in my head.

What are you thinking of using it for if you don't mind me asking?

I did level 1 recently cost £200 + another £100 to do an outdoor pursuits first aid course which you must have as part of the MBLA. The first aid course was very well run. I think it depends on your instructor how much you get out of the MBLA course. You have to show a reasonable proficiency at technical skills, know about trail side repairs and you aquire a lot of info on kit for bike repairs and 1st aid. Level 2 goes more into route mapping, group leading, route guiding. I enjoyed the whole experience and as part of the course was taken on one of the best single track routes I have ever seen and I have returned to redo the route many times since.

Just re-reading my post there and maybe comes across a bit negative, which wasn't my intention at all. I think it's a good course and I got a lot from it, I do just feel it's a little light-weight compared to other outdoor qualifications I've subsequently done.

I find with a lot of these courses that you often get as much out of the other people there (good instructor very much included!) as you do out of the course content - in a good way, twice the value!

Thanks for the replies, costs don't appear too off putting although you do seem to have to have other memberships plus a first aid qualification which I'm sure is useful enough on its own.

Do you have to be able to do manuals like Steve Peat, as I'm not great at party tricks such as rolling stoppies, manuals etc, although I'm more than willing to give it a go.

I'm thinking of taking the course as a nice chap recently got in touch with regards to a guiding job in Spain, I realise France is different from your website Stevo. Anyway I didn't get the job as he needed someone ASAP but he said he'll be in touch with any future openings, so I thought if I get this qualification it will only help. Whilst it's not going to make me rich it's gotta be better than drawing buildings in a prison like office!

Thanks again for your advice.

Thanks for the replies, costs don't appear too off putting although you do seem to have to have other memberships plus a first aid qualification which I'm sure is useful enough on its own.

Do you have to be able to do manuals like Steve Peat, as I'm not great at party tricks such as rolling stoppies, manuals etc, although I'm more than willing to give it a go.

I'm thinking of taking the course as a nice chap recently got in touch with regards to a guiding job in Spain, I realise France is different from your website Stevo. Anyway I didn't get the job as he needed someone ASAP but he said he'll be in touch with any future openings, so I thought if I get this qualification it will only help. Whilst it's not going to make me rich it's gotta be better than drawing buildings in a prison like office!

Thanks again for your advice.

Start logging and planning your rides now. I am sure someone could scan a log sheet and route planner for you.
[url= http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/scotland/article/scst-Scottish-Cycling-MBLA-Scheme-Pre-Entry-Requirements ]pre entry requirements[/url]
another +1 for Jules

I've done the TCL (1st stage) with Glenmore Lodge, also in Aviemore and can thoroughly recommend them too, especially since food and accomodation is included, along with trails 'on campus'~ the course itself is good fun and certainly gets you thinking... it's one thing to be able to ride for yourself, but thinking how to educate and motivate others is a stimulating challenge.

For the TCL, I wouldn't worry too much about steezy skills... its pretty basic, though the MBL brings in a fair few more elements, but its still fairly fundamental to a keen rider.

Depending where you are based, you may be able to get partial or full funding... I left it too late to get re-imbursed for the training course, but got 50% back for the first aid and assessment.

Have fun!!

tails, you don't have to be a trials-god with the "set-skills" side of things.

Rule of thumb is to be able to do the skill in question for a bike-length. So, for example, if you can wheelie or manual for a bike length then this is enough to do a wheelie/manual drop off. For bunny-hops, I think the criteria is to clear a 20cm obstacle.