The shorter days are often the best time to fine tune the skills, and we’ve put together a directory of UK-based skills coaches to find your local gurus.
Winter is a brilliant time to fine tune the skills, and going by our Wise Words interviews, one of the best things you can do is book yourself onto a coaching day.
We’ve compiled a list of all the MTB coaches we could find based in the UK and organised them by area to help you find your local skills wizard.
North Wales
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.
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.
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.
South Wales
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 (Mountain Bike Instructor Assessment) for aspiring MTB leaders.
Check out their website here.
The North
Joyride MTB
Alex at Joyride MTB is based in Holmfirth and offers coaching on key areas like airtime, core skills, progression and MTB enduro skills. He can also help you out if you need a guide in the area. ALex covers popular riding spots like Grenoside Woods, Wharncliffe Woods, Farmer Johns, Lady Cannings, Parkwood Springs and the Peak District.
Find out more about Joyride MTB on their website here.
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.
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.
Awesome MTB
Offering beginners coaching focusing on use of gears, brakes, steering, suspension; stance, posture and body positioning as well as observation and reading terrain features, Mini at Awesome MTB can help you get the most from you riding. Courses available in Sheffield, Peak District as well as White and Dark Peak.
Check out the Awesome MTB website for more here.
Midlands
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.
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.
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
MTB Trail Guides
Based out of Cannock Chase, James at MTB Trail Guides offers beginner, intermediate and advanced public courses, as well as 1-2-1 and group coaching, plus coaching for your little rippers. Full and half day coaching options are also available.
Drop James a message over on his website here.
South West
Devon MTB Coaching
Team Wideopenmag’s own Natasha Bradley turns her hand to coaching when not winning British National Downhill or 4X races. Whether you’re looking to improve your MTB skills, get better at BMX or want some womens’ only coaching, Tash will get you sorted.
Get in touch with Tash on her website here.
Evolve MTB
Tony at Evolve MTB is based on Dartmoor, and can provide you with tailored skills sessions; be it a one2one or a group of friends, developing skills such as body position, drop-offs, jumping & cornering etc. At venues such as Scadson Freeride Park, The River Dart Bike Park, Exeter Bike Park, Woodbury Common, Gawton & Tavvy Woodlands.
Get in touch with Tony on his 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.
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.
MTB Sprocket
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.
Pedal Progression MTB
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.
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.
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.
South East
XLR8 Bike School
Offering BMX and MTB skills coaching working with riders at bike parks and trails in East Anglia, mainly Twisted Oaks, Phoenix Cycleworks, Danbury Common and Chicksands, but covering a variety of riding spots nationwide.
Get in touch with Jools on the XLR8 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
North West
RideMTB Coaching
Want to know how to ride like an EWS Pro, or a 4X World Championship silver medallist? Well, Elliott Heap should be able to help you get the most out of your riding with his Ride MTB Coaching outfit. Elliott offers 1-to-1, Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced coaching days.
Get in touch with Elliott on his website here.
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.
North East
Ben Hall
Whether you’re in the North East or the Borders, ex-Elite racer Ben Hall can help you get to the bottom of the hill faster regardless of your age or current skill level. Group coaching, 1:1 and kids’ coaching all catered for.
You can get in touch with Ben about coaching days here.
Scotland
Ridelines
Ridelines can offer you private and group skills, womens’ only skills sessions, kids’ coaching to get whatever part of the family more confident on their bike. Based in Innerleithen in the heart of the Tweed Valley.
Get in touch with Ridelines on their website here.
FMMTB
Professional mountain bike coaching tailored to each individual’s needs, coached by Elite World Cup level rider Frazer McCubbing. Based in South West Scotland at Ae Forest we have the perfect coaching facility with a huge variety of trails on tap.
Get in touch with Frazer on his website here.
Trail Coach
Ramsay at Trail Coach can offer group and 1:1 coaching, as well as ebike specific coaching based in Scotland’s Central Belt. Trail Coach can also offer a wide array of kids’ coaching, including their mobile bike school.
You can check out Trail Coach on their website here.
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.
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.
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.
MTB Skillz
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.
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.
MTB Skills
Based out of Mabie Forest in Dumfries and Galloway, Clive Forth of MTB Skills has been coaching riders for two whole decades. One to one and group bookings on fixed dates or open bookings are all available. Should you need guided as well, Clive can sort you out too.
If you want to become an instructor yourself, then Clive can help with that as well.
Get in touch with Clive via his website here.
