Looking for mountain bikes skills coaches in the UK?

It’s one thing that almost all the good riders we know will say, is that to improve your riding quickly, to invest in even just a day with a good skills coach to either get your riding to the next level, or iron out those bad habits.

We’ve compiled a non-exhaustive list of the best UK-based skills coaches from various parts of the country. Remember that a lot of these guys will offer fitness coaching as well, so you can kill two birds with one stone in many cases.

There’s also little better way to say that your significant other or favourite family member is too slow on the climbs and/or the descent this Christmas than a voucher for one of the outfits below.

Pegasus MTB

Tim and the team at PegasusMTB offer All aspects of coaching are covered from basic core techniques through to advanced skills, jumps ‘n drops, trail days, skills courses and MIAS leader courses. Pegasus MTB is based in Nottingham.

Check out their website on at PegasusMTB.com

Marmalade MTB

Marmalde MTB are based near Brighton on the South Coast and offer weekly guided rides, South Downs Ways trips and expert coaching for all levels on the South Downs National Park and the Surrey Hills.

For more details, head to Marmalade MTB’s website here.

Tom Hutton MTB

Looking for flow? Core skills? Or just confidence? TomHuttonMTB can help. And we’ll make it fun too, isn’t that why we’re all here?

Based in North Wales, we can choose from a number of different venues to suit the aims of the session. Or we can guide further afield or even in the mountains and work on skills as we go.

For more details, check out Tom’s website here.

Plus 3 MTB

Currently running events at the Forest of Dean and the Long Mynd in Shropshire, but adding additional events in the future, Plus 3 MTB can cover all the bases with you from bike setup, skills and fitness should you want to go down all three routes.

They also offer gift vouchers for one-to-one sessions with either Will Soffe, Jay Williamson, Ben Cathro, Alan Milway and Sandy Plenty.

Check out the Plus 3 MTB courses here.

Sick Skills

Sick Skills is run by former Elite National Points Series champion and top 10 World Cup racer Ben Cathro. Ben mixes up coaching days around Scotland in between being at the sharp end of Scottish downhill and enduro races.

All of Ben’s days start with some bike setup, but can focus on downhill or enduro riding, race coaching as well as custom programmes to get the best out of whatever your focus is.

You can check out Sick Skills’ courses on their website.

Chris Hutchens.

Team Wideopenmag’s elder statesman, Chris Hutchens, can also turn his hand to coaching when not bagging top 30 Enduro World Series results. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider, Hutch can help you find that extra bit of speed or skill.

Hutch is currently based in Bristol and can offer coaching for groups as big as six.

Check out what courses Hutch offers on his website here.

Dirt School

Tweed Valley-based Dirt School was started by former World Cup racer and current Enduro World Series director Chris Ball and offer both skills and fitness coaching to everyone from complete beginners to experienced riders alike.

Dirt School’s coaches sport a British XC champion as well as a DH World and British Champion so there’s certainly no shortage of skills or fitness.

Dirt School’s skills and fitness courses can be found on their website.

Katy Curd

Katy Curd has been at the sharp end of Elite women’s racing for many a moon and for the last four years has been passing that knowledge on to everyone from novices to the most experienced of riders.

Based in the Forest of Dean, Katy offers three hour sessions depending on ability, ladies’ specific coaching as well as custom one-to-one courses for those after something a bit more specific.

Check out Katy’s website for more info.

ALine Coaching

Sheffield-based ALine Coaching offer perhaps a slightly different coaching structure compared to the others here, which is a programme developed by Whistler Bike Park, known as the Instructor Development Programme.

These guys also have the relevant UK qualifications and can offer you skills coaching as well as strength and conditioning training as well.

Check out what ALine are all about on their website.

Helen Gaskell

Like Katy Curd, Helen Gaskell has turned an impressive downhill and enduro career into guiding and coaching, based at Hamsterley Forest in County Durham.

Three hour coaching sessions cover all the bases whether you’re a beginner or a pinner.

Get in touch with Helen via her website.

MTBSkilz

MTBSkillz are based out of Moray, in north east Scotland and offer coaching on a variety of trails to suit your needs and can even offer ladies’ specific coaching via their sister company Dirt Vixens if that’s your thing.

Group sessions, one-to-one or custom coaching as well as corporate events are all catered for.

Check out what MTBSkilz offer on their website.

Campbell Coaching

Campbell Coaching are based in Afan, South Wales, but rather than coaching on the trails that made the place famous, Campbell Coaching have their own private facility to help riders improve their skills.

Everything from complete beginners, ladies’-specific coaching and the rest, these guys can help you become a better rider.

All the info on Campbell Coaching’s courses can be found on their website.

Pro Ride MTB

Pro Ride are based in Yorkshire and South Wales and are the same people behind Ard Rock Enduro. These guys have a massive amount of racing and riding experience between them, having spent the last decade racing at Elite level and travelling the world to ride their bikes.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider, these guys will be able to help you find that extra gear.

Check out the Pro Ride MTB courses on their website.

Bikepark Wales

Bikepark Wales is not just a World class riding facility, all those different trail options make it the perfect place to fine tune your skills under the watchful eye of one of their professional coaches.

A full day of uplift lets you maximise your time learning how to become a better rider. Bikepark Wales can help you deal with specific trail features, or just general skills, as well as running kids’ clubs and ladies-specific courses.

Check out the Bikepark Wales coaching courses here.

Swinley Bike Hub

Swinley Bike Hub are located in Swinley Forest that is part of the Royal Estate. Open seven days a week, they can offer coaching specifically for kids and ladies, as well as event-specific coaching and key skills, as well as a connection to nature course.

If you’re in the south east and looking for some coaching, then the Swinley Bike Hub might well be the place for you.

Check out their coaching courses on the Swinley Bike Hub website.

One Planet Adventure

One Planet Adventure are based at the Llandegla trailhead in North Wales and can offer almost everything you could need to improve your skills, including first aid and bike maintenance, on top of the usual one-to-one, group and skill-specific sessions.

Former World Cup racer and National Points Series champion Al Bond also runs a drops and jumps course here if you’re after some more air time.

Check out all the courses on One Planet Adventure’s website.

Cycle Wild Scotland

Cycle Wild are based in Pitlochry in the Scottish Highlands and can offer everything from skills coaching to the highest BMBLA leadership courses, so whatever skills you’re looking to gain, Cycle Wild have got you covered.

Finding Flow is a group session aimed at beginners, while Revolution is aimed at more experienced riders. One-to-one sessions are also available.

Check out Cycle Wild Scotland’s courses here.

Pedal Progression

Pedal Progression are based at Ashton Court in Bristol, making them the perfect people to go to if you’re based in Brizzle itself, but also coach at Forest of Dean if getting into the city isn’t so convenient.

Offering a full range of courses from general improvement to specific skills and bespoke courses, there’s something for everyone, as well as a course designed specifically for over 55s.

Check out all the Pedal Progression courses on their website.

MTBSprocket

Based in the Malvern Hills but also offering courses at the Forest of Dean and Mid Wales, James Richards can offer courses for any skill level, as well as being an accomplished mechanic, having spent years tuning Tracy Moseley’s race bikes.

James can custom tune courses to suit you, and can even offer e-bike specific coaching if that’s what you’re after.

Get in touch with James over on his website here.

Gareth Hopkins.

Welsh downhill legend Gareth Hopkins can teach you all you need to know about getting better at tackling trails. Many years as an Elite racer means Gareth has the skills to get you improving whether you’re a beginner or expert.

Gareth mainly runs his courses out of the Forest of Dean.

Get in touch with Gareth on his Facebook page.

We Ride.

Making the most of the excellent riding spots around Yorkshire and Lancashire, Ben can help you get the most out of your riding no matter how experienced you are.

On top of that, he can call on the likes of British Elite Enduro Champion Bex Baraona and World Cup downhill veteran Jack Reading to run courses under the We Ride banner as well.

Check out We Ride’s coaching courses on their website here.

Wye MTB.

Based in the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, one half of Wye MTB owns Pedalabikeaway at the trailhead meaning they have the perfect setting to head out from the get-go to develop your skills.

On top of bike skills, Wye MTB can also offer bike setup and first aid training if that’s what you’re after.

Check out WyeMTB’s courses on their website here.

Firecrest MTB.

Ian at Firecrest MTB is based out of Aston Hill in Buckinghamshire and has delivered courses that might well have trained many of the coaches you see on this list here.

Whether you’re a racer looking to find those extra seconds or a casual rider looking to master the key skills, Ian has got you covered.

Check out Firecrest MTB’s courses on their website.

Pine Sport Coaching.

Ric at Pine Sport Coaching runs sessions almost every Saturday at Queen Elizabeth Country Park in Petersfield (Cross Country & Enduro Clinic) and offer group & one-to-one coaching plus MTB guided trips across the country and in Belgium.

Check out Pine Sport’s coaching courses on their website.

Trail Skills.

Liz Peacock at Trail Skills makes the most of the fantastic trail centres in and around Dumfries and Galloway to help riders improve their skills. Whether you’ve never touched a mountain bike before or are looking to improve a healthy set of skills, Liz can help you out.

Family, kids and ladies’ specific coaching courses are available on top of the usual skills courses.

Check out Liz’s website here.

MTB Instruction.

Mark at MTB Instruction runs his courses for all abilities in Woburn Sands for the last twelve years, as well as further afield in the UK and Europe.

Group sessions, one-to-one coaching, as well as kids and ladies’ specific coaching are all on offer at MTB Instruction.

Check out what they can do for you on their website.

Pedal MTB.

Ed and Al at Pedal MTB is based out of Beics Brenin at the UK’s first Forestry Commission trail centre.

They can offer all the usual skill-specific courses in groups or as a one-to-one, as well as custom coaching to suit you. Family coaching, night and trail leader training is also available.

Check out Pedal MTB’s website here.

Mountains and Memories.

Sarah at Mountains and Memories offers womens’ specific guiding and coaching in the Afan Valley, making the most of the excellent trail network there.

Whether you’re looking for skills-based coaching or a longer guided ride with some coaching added on, Sarah can tailor a package to suit you.

Get in touch with Sarah on her Facebook page.

Pure Performance MTB.

Dave at Pure Performance MTB are more than just a coaching outfit but can certainly help you with that too.

Based in the North West, Pure Performance can help you with all aspects of coaching as well as training, recovery and injury.

Check out what they can offer you on their website.

Treads and Trails.

Treads and Trails are based in the Brecon Beacons National Park, and provide guided MTB rides and coaching sessions on natural mountain terrain.

Treads and Trails are British Cycling MTB coaching approved and love showing the trails to customers to help improve their skills and improve their riding experience. They are also approved providers of the MIAS (Mounatin Bike Instructor Assessment) for aspiring MTB leaders.

Check out their website here.

Pedal A Bike Away.

Pedal A Bike Away are located at the trailhead at Forest of Dean and offer coaching and guiding for all skills and abilities.

Whether you’re looking for some one-to-one skills coaching, a half day coaching with some guided riding, a group or family coaching session, Pedal A Bike Away can do it all.

Check out their website here.

Peak Bike Guides.

Peak Bike Guides are based in the East Midlands between Sherwood Forest and the Peak District and operate in both areas. They offer all the usual coaching and guiding courses for all abilities and skills.

In 2019 they are looking to run a series of 2 day packages in Sherwood Forest to help riders move up to a level whereby they will be confident to then join us on a guided rides or uplift days in the Peak District.

You can find more details on their website.

Real World Riding.

Real World Riding are located in the Central Belt in Scotland and can offer guided rides as well as skills sessions whether it’s one specific skills with one person or a general course with a large group.

Check out what they can offer on their website.

EvolveMTB.

Tony at EvolveMTB is based in the South West of England and can offer beginners’ and advanced group courses as well as one-to-ones whether it’s general or a specific skill you’re looking to master.

Tony can also offer guided rides in the South West if you want to combine the two.

Get in touch with Tony via his website.

UK Mountain Bike Skills Coaches.