Cycling Ireland Dublin (10905)

The Trail Cycle Leader Award consists of a two-day training course, followed by a one-day assessment. On successful completion of TCL assessment the participant will be sufficiently skilled to lead groups of up to eight riders on any legal terrain that is suitable for the abilities of their group and also below 600m elevation and within a 30-minute walk of rescue.

Duration and Format:    The Trail Cycle Leader consists of a two-day training course, followed by a one-day assessment.

Requirements

To attend the TCL Training candidates must: 

• be over 18 years of age.
• Logged 20 recent mountain bike rides.  20 mountain bike rides, on separate days, of at least 1.5 hours duration, 8 rides of at least 2-3 hours and 1 ride of 6 hours.

To attend TCL Assessment candidates must:

• Attendance at an approved TCL Training Course.
• Recommended for assessment by a registered TCL Tutor.
• Logged 10 additional rides over minimum of 30 days.
• Applied for TCL Assessment on an approved TCL Assessment Day.

Training

TCL’s should be able to make appropriate leadership decisions and use good judgement.

TCL’s should be able to comprehensively risk assess the level of challenge a route provides and match experience, abilities, motivation and equipment of the group to the terrain and routes being considered.            

TCL’s are qualified to lead under the following conditions: 

• Any roads, trails or waymarked routes on which mountain biking is legal.
• Any bike parks and trail centres on trails suitable to the abilities and experience of the riders.
• Routes which are 90-95% rideable over their total length.
• Terrain no more than 30 minutes’ walk from either.
• The nearest accessible (by ambulance) road.
• A shelter from where it is possible to summon help.
• Elevation of no more than 600m.
• Normal summer conditions, during daylight.
• Multi day trips where the group does not have to be self-sufficient.
• A Trail Cycle Leader could also act as an assistant to a Mountain Bike Leader (MBL).

The TCL Assessment

Candidates should be effective in mountain bike leading on applying for assessment.  They should be familiar with the course requirements and syllabus, as detailed in the course materials.  An outline of the assessment procedures and criteria will be provided on the training courses.

Candidates will be assessed in the following areas:

• Logbook Experience and Evidence
• Clothing and Equipment
• Planning and Preparation
• Personal Riding Skills
• Navigation
• Leadership
• Trailside Repairs and Bike set-up
• Hazards and Risk Management

Where candidates have attended and successfully completed a two-day training course provided by other award schemes they will be entitled to apply for exemption from TCL Training, but must successfully complete TCL Assessment in order for their accreditation to be recognised by Cycling Ireland.

Certification

On successful completion of TCL assessment the participant will be sufficiently skilled in mountain bike leading to groups of up to eight riders on any legal terrain that is suitable for the abilities of their group and also below 600m elevation and within a 30-minute walk of rescue.

The award is equivalent to the Basic Instructor stage on the Sport Ireland Coaching Adventure Sport Framework in accordance with the Coaching Development Programme for Ireland.