Training Courses

Our teaching methodologies and ethos developed through delivering mountain bike skills and technique training have been combined with our years of hands-on experience on the trail

 

Working alongside plant operators and using hand tools to build and maintain trail means you can rely on us to share the latest techniques, tools and working systems to ensure you, your group and the public are safe

 

Land owners and managers can rest assured that anyone trained by MTBSkills will be applying best practice principals, enabling seamless integration to your working systems. Our training courses enable the public and private sector to inspect, maintain and manage mountain bike trails

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With the numbers of riders growing and funding shrinking the time has come for mountain bikers to get involved and help keep the UK trail network running sweet and enjoyable for everyone

 

“There is no such thing as a maintenance free mountain bike trail”

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Connecting the riders to the landowners and visa versa is a key factor to the continued success of British Mountain Biking

 

Choose your training course from the list below

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Mountain Bike Trail Basics  (MBTB)

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OVERVIEW

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This one-day training course introduces participants to the basic principles and techniques used for maintaining mountain bike specific trails

 

The course provides a solid foundation for further training and is the first step towards managing mountain bike trail facilities

 

A very practical hands-on day where participants get a chance to put their new learnt skills into practice 

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CONTENT

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  • Introductions and course overview

  • Personal Protective Equipment

  • Manual handling guidance

  • Tool and tool care - non powered

  • Tool and tool care - battery powered / cordless

  • Tool and tool care - combustion engines

  • Trail grading explained

  • Design elements and considerations

  • Terminology - the language of the trail

  • Supportive infrastructure to the trails

  • Drainage types

  • Faults and fixes

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YOUR TRAINING ENABLES YOU TO

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  • Maintain mountain bike trails under the supervision of a suitably trained coordinator (and or) operative

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YOUR TRAINING DOES NOT ENABLE YOU TO

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  • Maintain mountain bike trails without supervision

  • Design mountain bike trails

  • Build mountain bike trails

  • Teach mountain bike trail maintenance

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BOOK YOUR TRAINING

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EQUIPMENT FOR MBTB

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Trail Maintenance Operative  (TMO) 

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OVERVIEW

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This one-day training course builds on the knowledge and skills learnt in the Mountain Bike Trail Basics course 

 

Participants will learn about the administrative and legislative elements that  are required in order to undertake mountain bike trail maintenance in both a voluntary and commercial capacity

 

Practical session bring the academic sessions to life as participants will get hands on maintaining sections of mountain bike trails

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CONTENT

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  • Introductions and course overview

  • Permissions

  • Law, access, liability, civil and case law

  • Construction Design Management Regulations 2015

  • Health & Safety at Work Act

  • Transfer of infections and disease

  • Workflow

  • Managing live trails

  • Managing workload and fatigue

  • Drainage types

  • Construction techniques

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Refresher training:

  • Personal Protective Equipment

  • Manual handling guidance

  • Tool and tool care - non powered

  • Tool and tool care - battery powered / cordless

  • Tool and tool care - combustion engines

  • Trail grading explained

  • Design elements and considerations

  • Terminology - the language of the trail

  • Supportive infrastructure to the trails

  • Faults and fixes

​

YOUR TRAINING ENABLES YOU TO

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  • Maintain mountain bike trails in a voluntary and commercial capacity having been given the permission of the land owner and by holding the correct insurance policies and first aid training certificates

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YOUR TRAINING DOES NOT ENABLE YOU TO

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  • Design mountain bike trails

  • Build mountain bike trails

  • Teach mountain bike trail maintenance

  • Operate in a commercial capacity for financial gain 

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COURSE PRE REQUISITE

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  • Participants must have attended and passed the one-day Mountain Bike Trail Basics training course

  • Fast-track applicants may be enrolled on the provision of evidencing either commercial or voluntary work equal to or above 150 hours within the past three years

  • Fast-track applicants may be enrolled on evidencing training by Cycling UK (formerly CTC); we need to be provided with your current VTRC certificates

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POST COURSE PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

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  • The training is valid for a period of three years, after which participants are required to attend a one-day refresher course for continued validation of your training

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BOOK YOUR TRAINING

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EQUIPMENT FOR TMO

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Trail Maintenance Coordinator  (TMC)

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OVERVIEW

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This one-day training course builds on the knowledge and skills learnt in the Mountain Bike Trail Basics course 

 

Participants will learn about the administrative and legislative elements that  are required in order to undertake the coordination of volunteer groups (or individuals) for the maintenance of mountain bike trails

 

Practical session bring the academic sessions to life as participants will get hands on maintaining sections of mountain bike trails

​

CONTENT

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  • Introductions and course overview

  • Permissions

  • Law, access, liability, civil and case law

  • Construction Design Management Regulations 2015

  • Health & Safety at Work Act

  • Transfer of infections and disease

  • Sign up / disclaimers

  • Workflow

  • Managing live trails

  • Managing workload and fatigue

  • Instructional techniques

 

Refresher training:

  • Personal Protective Equipment

  • Manual handling guidance

  • Tool and tool care - non powered

  • Tool and tool care - battery powered / cordless

  • Tool and tool care - combustion engines

  • Trail grading explained

  • Design elements and considerations

  • Construction techniques

  • Terminology - the language of the trail

  • Supportive infrastructure to the trails

  • Drainage types

  • Faults and fixes

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YOUR TRAINING ENABLES YOU TO

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  • Maintain mountain bike trails in a voluntary capacity and mange groups of volunteers who embark on maintaining mountain bike trails having been given the permission of the land owner and by holding the correct insurance policies and first aid training certificates

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YOUR TRAINING DOES NOT ENABLE YOU TO

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  • Design mountain bike trails

  • Build mountain bike trails

  • Operate in a commercial capacity for financial gain 

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COURSE PRE REQUISITE

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  • Participants must have attended and passed the one-day Mountain Bike Trail Basics training course

  • Fast-track applicants may be enrolled on the provision of evidencing either commercial or voluntary work equal to or above 150 hours within the past three years

  • Fast-track applicants may be enrolled on the provision of evidencing training by Cycling UK (formerly CTC), we will need to see your current VTRC certificates

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POST COURSE PERSONAL DEVELOPMET

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  • The training is valid for a period of three years, after which participants are required to attend a one-day refresher course for continued validation of your training

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BOOK YOUR TRAINING

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EQUIPMENT FOR TMC

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Boardwalk Maintenance (BM)

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OVERVIEW

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This one-day module looks at the specifics of maintaining mountain bike boardwalk and ‘North Shore’ style timber sections of trail

 

The course is a useful addition to trail maintenance know-how for those who wish to work on timber trail in either a voluntary or commercial capacity 

 

Participants will learn about the construction techniques and methods used to create and repair sections of timber trail

 

A hands on practical training course where participants will fix sections of timber trail

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CONTENT

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  • Introductions and course overview

  • Definition of Boardwalk, North Shore, Bridge

  • Construction techniques /  fastening 

  • Materials

  • Faults and fixes

 

Refresher training:

  • Personal Protective Equipment

  • Manual handling guidance

  • Tool and tool care - non powered

  • Tool and tool care - battery powered / cordless

  • Tool and tool care - combustion engines

  • Trail grading explained

  • Design elements and considerations

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YOUR TRAINING ENABLES YOU TO

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  • Maintain boardwalks, North Shore and timber sections of mountain bike trails in a voluntary and commercial capacity having been given the permission of the land owner and by holding the correct insurance policies and first aid training certificates

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YOUR TRAINING DOES NOT ENABLE YOU TO

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  • Design mountain bike trails

  • Build mountain bike trails

  • Teach mountain bike trail maintenance

  • Design boardwalks, North Shore and timber sections of mountain bike trails

  • Build boardwalks, North Shore and timber sections of mountain bike trails

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COURSE PRE REQUISITE

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  • Participants must have attended and passed a one-day Mountain Bike Trail Basics training course

  • Fast-track applicants may be enrolled on the provision of evidencing either commercial or voluntary work equal to or above 150 hours within the past three years

  • Fast-track applicants may be enrolled on the provision of evidencing training by Cycling UK (formerly CTC), we will need to see your current VTRC certificates

​

POST COURSE PERSONAL DEVELOPMET

​

  • The training is valid for a period of three years, after which participants are required to attend a one-day refresher course for continued validation of your training

​

BOOK YOUR TRAINING

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EQUIPMENT FOR BM

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Ride at Work level 1 (RAW1)

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OVERVIEW

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A one-day training course covering the basics of riding off road tracks and trails

 

The course forms the foundation for further training and is a pathway to becoming qualified to inspect mountain bike and off road cycle trails by bike

 

Participants will learn to carry out risk assessment and pre ride checks as well as learn basic off road riding skills and trail side maintenance techniques

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CONTENT

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  • Introductions and course overview

  • Risk Assessment & Method Statements

  • Transfer of infections and disease

  • Report writing / record keeping

  • Working on live trails

  • Managing workload and fatigue

  • Navigation

  • Basic trailside maintenance

  • Pre ride, equipment and checks

  • Basic bike skills

 

Refresher training:

  • Manual handling guidance

  • Personal Protective Equipment

  • Trail grading explained

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YOUR TRAINING ENABLES YOU TO

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  • Ride off road cycle trails, Green and Blue graded specific mountain bike trails for the purposes of work

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YOUR TRAINING DOES NOT ENABLE YOU TO

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  • Inspect mountain bike trails

  • Design mountain bike trails

  • Build mountain bike trails

  • Lead / guide mountain bike rides

  • Coach / teach mountain biking

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COURSE PRE REQUISITE

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  • Participants must have attended and passed a one-day Mountain Bike Trail Basics training course

  • Fast-track applicants may be enrolled on the provision of evidencing either commercial or voluntary work equal to or above 150 hours within the past three years

  • Fast-track applicants may be enrolled on the provision of evidencing training by Cycling UK (formerly CTC), we will need to see your current SWP 1 and VTRC certificates

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POST COURSE PERSONAL DEVELOPMET

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  • The training is valid for a period of five years, after which participants are required to attend a one-day refresher course for continued validation of your training

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BOOK YOUR TRAINING

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EQUIPMENT FOR RAW1

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Ride at Work level 2 (RAW2)

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OVERVIEW

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This one-day training course builds on the knowledge and skills learnt in the Mountain Bike Trail Basics course

 

The course has been developed to enable competent riders to ride at work in more challenging terrain with the specific aim of carrying out trail inspections

 

Participants will build on their skill set learning how to address technical terrain in more remote environments

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CONTENT

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  • Introductions and course overview

  • Risk Assessment & Method Statements

  • Transfer of infections and disease

  • Report writing / record keeping

  • Working on live trails

  • Managing workload and fatigue

  • Navigation

  • Basic trailside maintenance

  • Pre ride, equipment and checks

  • Advanced bike skills

 

Refresher training:

  • Manual handling guidance

  • Personal Protective Equipment

  • Trail grading explained

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YOUR TRAINING ENABLES YOU TO

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  • Ride off road trails and specific mountain bike trails of all grades including sanctioned and unsanctioned Wild Trails for the purposes of work

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YOUR TRAINING DOES NOT ENABLE YOU TO

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  • Inspect mountain bike trails

  • Design mountain bike trails

  • Build mountain bike trails

  • Lead / guide mountain bike rides

  • Coach / teach mountain biking

​

COURSE PRE REQUISITE

​

  • Participants must have attended and passed a one-day Mountain Bike Trail Basics training course

  • Fast-track applicants may be enrolled on the provision of evidencing either commercial or voluntary work equal to or above 150 hours within the past three years

  • Fast-track applicants may be enrolled on the provision of evidencing training by Cycling UK (formerly CTC), we will need to see your SWP and VTRC certificates

​

POST COURSE PERSONAL DEVELOPMET

​

  • The training is valid for a period of five years, after which participants are required to:attend a one-day refresher course for continued validation of your training

​

BOOK YOUR TRAINING

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EQUIPMENT FOR RAW2

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Trail Inspection - Non Technical  (TINT)

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OVERVIEW

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A one-day training course that forms the foundations for all mountain bike trail inspection qualifications

 

The course enables individuals to carry out inspections on purpose built graded mountain bike trails, skills areas and taster trails where the gradings of Green and Blue have been applied

 

Participants will learn about the administrative and legislative elements that  are required in order to undertake mountain bike trail inspections in both a voluntary and commercial capacity

 

The academic sessions come to life as participants inspect sections of a mountain bike facility on foot

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CONTENT

​

  • Introductions and course overview

  • Duty of care obligations

  • Frequency

  • Risk Assessment & Method Statements

  • Health & Safety at Work Act

  • Transfer of infections and disease

  • Report writing and record keeping

  • Workflow

  • Working on live trails

  • Managing workload and fatigue

  • Personal Protective Equipment

  • Construction techniques

  • Areas under inspection

  • Faults and observations

  • Emergency trail closures

 

Refresher training:

  • Manual handling

  • Trail grading explained

  • Design elements and considerations

​

YOUR TRAINING ENABLES YOU TO

​

  • Inspect Green and Blue graded mountain bike trails by vehicle and on foot in a voluntary and commercial capacity providing the correct insurance policies and first aid training certificates are present

​

YOUR TRAINING DOES NOT ENABLE YOU TO

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  • Inspect mountain bike trails by bike

  • Design mountain bike trails

  • Build mountain bike trails

  • Teach mountain bike trail maintenance or inspection

​

COURSE PRE REQUISITE

​

  • Participants must have attended and passed the one-day Mountain Bike Trail Basics training course

  • Fast-track applicants may be enrolled on the provision of evidencing either commercial or voluntary work equal to or above 150 hours within the past three years

  • Fast-track applicants may be enrolled on the provision of evidencing training by Cycling UK (formerly CTC), we will need to see your current Trail Checking certificates and or VTRC certificate

​

POST COURSE PERSONAL DEVELOPMET

​

  • The training is valid for a period of three years, after which participants are required to attend a one-day refresher course for continued validation of your training

​

BOOK YOUR TRAINING

​

EQUIPMENT FOR TINT

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Trail Inspection - Technical 1 (iTE1)

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OVERVIEW

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This one-day training course has been developed for individuals who need to inspect mountain bike trails by riding bikes

 

Participants will learn about the administrative and legislative elements that  are required in order to undertake mountain bike trail inspections in both a voluntary and commercial capacity

 

The academic sessions come to life as participants inspect sections of a mountain bike facility by bike

​

CONTENT

​

  • Introductions and course overview

  • Duty of care obligations

  • Frequency

  • Risk Assessment & Method Statements

  • Health & Safety at Work Act

  • Transfer of infections and disease

  • Report writing and record keeping

  • Workflow

  • Working on live trails

  • Managing workload and fatigue

  • Pre ride, equipment and checks

  • Construction techniques

  • Areas under inspection

  • Faults and observations

  • Emergency trail closures

 

Refresher training:

  • Manual handling

  • Personal Protective Equipment

  • Trail grading explained

  • Design elements and considerations

​

YOUR TRAINING ENABLES YOU TO

​

  • Inspect Green and Blue graded mountain bike trails on foot, by vehicle and by riding a mountain bike in a voluntary and commercial capacity providing the correct insurance policies and first aid training certificates are present

​

YOUR TRAINING DOES NOT ENABLE YOU TO

​

  • Design mountain bike trails

  • Build mountain bike trails

  • Teach mountain bike trail maintenance or inspection

​

COURSE PRE REQUISITE

​

  • Participants must have attended and passed a one-day Mountain Bike Trail Basics training course

  • Participants must be certified to RAW (Ride at Work) level 1 or similar (MBLA-Trail Cycle Leader etc) standard of competency

  • Fast-track applicants may be enrolled on the provision of evidencing either commercial or voluntary work equal to or above 150 hours within the past three years

  • Fast-track applicants may be enrolled on the provision of evidencing training by Cycling UK (formerly CTC), we will need to see your Trail Checking and SWP 1 certificates

​

POST COURSE PERSONAL DEVELOPMET

​

  • The training is valid for a period of three years, after which participants are required to attend a one-day refresher course for continued validation of your training

​

BOOK YOUR TRAINING

​

EQUIPMENT FOR ITE1

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Trail Inspection - Technical 2 (ITE2)

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OVERVIEW

​

This one-day training course has been developed for individuals who need to inspect mountain bike trails with an increased level of technicality and difficulty by riding bikes

 

Participants will learn about the administrative and legislative elements that  are required in order to undertake mountain bike trail inspections in both a voluntary and commercial capacity

 

The academic sessions come to life as participants inspect sections of a mountain bike facility by bike

​

CONTENT

​

  • Introductions and course overview

  • Duty of care obligations

  • Frequency

  • Risk Assessment & Method Statements

  • Health & Safety at Work Act

  • Transfer of infections and disease

  • Report writing and record keeping

  • Workflow

  • Working on live trails

  • Managing workload and fatigue

  • Pre ride, equipment and checks

  • Construction techniques

  • Areas under inspection

  • Faults and observations

  • Emergency trail closures

 

Refresher training:

  • Manual handling

  • Personal Protective Equipment

  • Trail grading explained

  • Design elements and considerations

​

YOUR TRAINING ENABLES YOU TO

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  • Inspect Green, Blue, Red, Black, Double Diamond Black, Orange graded mountain bike trails and designated Wild Trails on foot, by vehicle and by riding a mountain bike in a voluntary and commercial capacity providing the correct insurance policies and first aid training certificates are present

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YOUR TRAINING DOES NOT ENABLE YOU TO

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  • Design mountain bike trails

  • Build mountain bike trails

  • Teach mountain bike trail maintenance or inspection

​

COURSE PRE REQUISITE

​

  • Participants must have attended and passed a one-day Mountain Bike Trail Basics training course

  • Participants must be certified to RAW (Ride at Work) level 2 or similar (MBLA-Mountain Bike Leader etc) standard of competency

  • Fast-track applicants may be enrolled on the provision of evidencing training by Cycling UK (formerly CTC), we will need to see your current first aid training certificate, Trail Checking and SWP 2 certificates

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POST COURSE PERSONAL DEVELOPMET

​

  • The training is valid for a period of three years, after which participants are required to attend a one-day refresher course for continued validation of your training

​

BOOK YOUR TRAINING

​

EQUIPMENT FOR ITE2

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