British Cycling Trail Leader Award - Level 2
Trail Leader Award - Level 2
Mountain Bike Leadership
British Cycling’s Trail Leader Award (formerly Level 2) is the entry-point qualification for anyone with experience in mountain biking who is working or looking to work in the outdoor leadership or education sector.
It is also a useful course for people who simply have a personal interest in gaining all the information needed to go out on their mountain bike, be safe and have fun.
The Trail Leader Award, is a two-day training course, followed by a one-day assessment, covers a whole range of skills from bike navigation to trailside repairs and basic skills sessions.
Our training courses are run from the CycleActive centre at Brougham Hall in Penrith and our assessment courses are run from Ambleside in the heart of the Lakes. This gives you access to great local trails, carefully organised teaching areas and a good range of accommodation choices nearby too.
Further details of the BC mountain bike leader TLA, dates, syllabus, pre-entry requirements and other useful facts can be found below.
Course Dates
All dates have availability (unless stated)
Training - Trail Leader Award
Brougham Hall
2025 Tuesday - Wednesday
21 - 22 October 2025
11 - 12 November 2025
Assessment - Trail Leader Award
Ambleside
2025
23 October 2025 - Thursday
2 places left
13 November 2025 - Thursday
Lake District Locations
Which Level is correct for my needs?
Off-Road Leader Award
This award is ideal for anyone keen to lead groups through mixed terrain, from gravel paths and urban fringes to the open countryside and most blue trail centre routes.
Not required for 95% of learners.
Trail Leader Award
Enables experienced mountain bikers to safely guide riders through mountainous terrain and provide them with a great day out.
The entry point on the British Cycling pathway for most new learners.
Mountain Bike Leader Award
Aimed at qualified Trail Leaders who wish to extend their remit to include remote terrain and trails of severe technical difficulty
Cannot be undertaken without a Trail Leader Award qualification
Prerequisites Trail Leader Award Training
What do I need to be able to register?
The minimum age to attend a course is 18 years old and you must have mountain biking experience in various terrains and weather conditions.
An appropriate level of physical fitness for a day’s riding is essential to be competent in the techniques and skills required to safely negotiate the typical trail features, generally comparable to red-graded purpose-built trails.
On or prior to your training day you will need to provide evidence of recent rides in appropriate terrain (we recommend a minimum of 15 quality rides; four rides should be 4 hours or more in duration). We have an online Logbook that can be downloaded.
What else do I need to do to achieve the Award?
In order for your award to be accredited in addition to successful completion of your course, you are required to:
1. Hold British Cycling Membership of "Member" level or above
2. Attend and evidence a two-day outdoor First Aid course
3. Undergo and evidence safeguarding training appropriate to the country they are leading in
4. Complete online modules (Approx 3hrs of learning)
Course information - Trail Leader Award
Duration
2 days training: 09:00 - 17:00
1 day assessment: 09:00 - 17:00
Group size: 3 - 6 training
Group size: 3 - 4 assessment
Grades
Fitness grade - 3
Skills Grade - C
Trail Leader Award Training Course Content
- Route Planning and Navigation
- Trailside Repairs
- MTB Group Leadership
- Risk Management
- Managing Accidents and Emergencies
- Delivering Mountain Bike Rides
- Mountain Bike Techniques
- Nutrition and Hydration
- Environmental and Social Aspects
- Clothing and Equipment
- And much more.....
Directions
Our Trail Leader Award courses are run from the CycleActive centre at Brougham Hall in Penrith and our assessment courses are run from Ambleside in the heart of the Lakes.
Training
Assessment
Assessment Trail Leader Award
Recommended Consolidation
Between 6 weeks and 18 months between training and assessment.
The consolidation stage should provide enough opportunity to practice and refine your leadership skills whilst not being long enough for your knowledge of the key skills and requirements of the Trail Leader Award to fade.
Practical assessment
The practical assessment consists of an all-day mountain bike journey during which each candidate will be assigned to lead a section of the assessment route of up to 7km working with a ratio of 1:4. You will be expected to deliver a flowing journey whilst demonstrating good leadership and navigational skills.
The assessment procedure is informal and is designed to help you develop your skills as a mountain bike leader. The group you lead can consist of other riders who are also being assessed on the same day and/ or riders who are there, simply to fulfil the role as participants on the ride.
Written assignment
The 3hrs online modules are based on the information included in the British Cycling Level 2 Mountain Bike Leadership Handbook and other resources provided on the course.
Training - 2.5hr online modules
Assessment - 30 mins online modules
Rental bikes
Can be added during checkout
Full suspension rental
2 days training - £120
1 day assessment - £80
Trek Fuel EX7 (Or similar)
Helmet rental: £5 if required
Includes - Kit bag with pump, inner tube, multi-tool, bottle cage
Secure a booking
The full course fee is required to secure a booking
Terms & conditions
The bit people ask about:
Cancellation by you:
Unconfirmed Course - Refund / move course date.
Confirmed Course - 100% of the course fee will be charged to safeguard the courses running for the other participants.
Cancellation by CycleActive - you will be offered an alternative / full refund.
To find out more about our British Cycling Trail Leader Award course, please feel free to call our course tutors and chat through your questions in person, or email us.
Call: 01768 840400
Email: admin@cycleactive.com