Mountain Biking at Glenmore Lodge • Alpine Bikes
At Glenmore Lodge, in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, we have the most amazing bike trails on our doorstep and a purpose built skills circuit on-site. All this plus great coaches and riders. This is why we can guarantee you a fantastic biking experience. Ask the Alpine Bike store staff who have been here for some bike training themselves. Check out our range of courses on offer, running throughout the year, and drop us a line to start the next part of your adventure.
For all our skills courses and holidays it is always better bringing your own mountain bike. However, we also have all the kit here should you wish to have a stress free journey up here. Just give us a call before turning up and we can organise a great mountain bike along with all the other bits of kit you are likely to need (gloves, helmet etc).
Biking Scotland - all dates and costs are available on our website at www.glenmorelodge.org.uk or call on 01479 861256
Skills Courses
Cairngorm Mountain Bike Expedition
This is a skills course with a difference! 5 days riding with a 3-day lightweight self-supported expedition through the Cairngorm Mountains – the perfect mountain biking adventure. We start with a couple of days to look at skills for riding natural trails and tracks – balance, obstacles, climbing, descending, braking and riding light. Whilst out on our exped we will be using Bob trailers to carry our kit so we will also look at how these work. This gives us everything needed to head out on a wild biking, wild camping adventure. Part of the course will also be looking at equipment selection and lightweight camping gear.
Pre-requisites: If you are a keen novice / intermediate rider who is able to enjoy a 2 to 3 hour ride over varied terrain then you are perfect for this adventure. Skills training is provided at the beginning of the week to top up your experience if necessary.
Dates: Aug 30-Sep 03 | Length: 5 days | Ratio: 1:6 | Cost: £525
Weekend Introduction to Mountain Bike Skills – Introduction
This weekend is to introduce the basic skills that make mountain biking fun. Learn to control your bike – not the other way round! Includes climbing and descending, braking, balance, body position, bunny hops and riding simple obstacles such as drop-offs. We will also look at the tactics and skills needed for dealing with a variety trails – both man-made and natural.
Pre-requisites: Being able to enjoy a 2 to 3 hour ride on easy trails.
Dates: Apr 03-04, Jun 26-27, Aug 07-08, Oct 23-24 | Length: 2 days | Ratio: 1:6 | Cost: £190
Weekend Mountain Bike Skills – Intermediate
This course is designed for regular mountain bikers who would like to improve their skills to be able to ride harder or faster trails. Skills such as drop offs, manual lifts, bunny hop and lateral movement as well as how to climb and descend more technical singletrack and natural trails. There are also opportunities to use the workshop and learn some mechanical tips.
Pre-requisites: Being able to enjoy a 2 to 3 hour ride over varied terrain.
Dates: Jun 26-27, Aug 07-08, Oct 23-24 Length: 2 days | Ratio: 1:4 | Cost: £190
5 Day Mountain Bike Skills – Introduction
Covering all the necessary skills to get (and keep) you out there riding trails both man-made and natural. With more of a holiday feel to this instructional course than a weekend ‘hit’ we can also relax into riding around the world class trails we have on offer locally where we will practice the skills in action. Most days will involve journeys where we will also top up our skills by looking at navigation on a bike, trailside repairs and where to ride. Back at base we can also look at home workshop necessities and bike setup. All there to ensure you get the most out of you and your bike. Come along and use the 5 days to really get to grips with your biking.
Pre-requisites: Being able to enjoy a 2 to 3 hour ride over varied terrain is appropriate
Dates: Jul 26-30, Aug 16-20, Oct 04-08 | Length: 5 days | Ratio: 1:6 | Cost: £450
Mountain Bike Surgery Weekends
A new look for Weekend Skills courses! With two levels to choose from you will find the course for you.
We’ve created two modular courses – giving you the opportunity to hone only the skills you really need! Choose the level of course that suits you and we will do the rest!
With 6 modules to choose from over the weekend and the ability to book 1, 2, 3 or 4 you have the ultimate in flexibility. Come for a day or two, or if you are tight for time book on just the module of your choice.
Dates for both Beginner/Intermediate & Advanced: Apr 18-19 / Jun 27-28 / Aug 29-30
Cost per module – £25 OR 4 modules £100 (non residential) OR £165 4 modules (fully residential)
Beginner / Intermediate
You’re fairly new to biking – do you feel the bike isn’t doing what you want? If so, then this is the course for you. Across the modules, we will look at all the skills to get you riding confidently and fluidly on trails up to Red grade. Ratios are kept to 1:4 to ensure that you get personal instruction throughout. When you book you will be asked for your first and second choice for all modules. In the evening on the Saturday there will also be sessions on Trailside maintenance and the Psychology of Riding for those staying around.
| Saturday | Morning | Afternoon |
|---|---|---|
| Balance Gears and braking Ups and Downs |
Let’s Ride!!! How to… flow Jumps, bumps and Drops |
|
| Sunday | Morning | Afternoon |
| Jumps, bumps and Drops Balance Gears and braking |
Let’s Ride!!! How to… flow Ups and Downs |
Workshop Descriptions
Balance Its all about balance! Learn by playing various games on our bikes in this session.
Ups and Downs How to climb and descend in control.
Jumps, bumps and Drops Exactly what it says on the tin! Learn to be in control and enjoy a range of challenges.
Gears and Braking Fairly self explanatory I guess! But still loads of top tips and help to give.
How to… flow Biking is all about moving – lets do it smoothly. Cornering and riding open trails with style.
Let’s Ride!!! A Half-day journey to put it all into practice
Pre-requisites: Being able to enjoy a 2 to 3 hour ride over varied terrain is appropriate
Advanced - From Red to Black
You can ride red graded trails – you’ve tried black but it just isn’t quite working. This course is aimed to get you riding black trails with confidence. We will look at not only the physical side of riding but also the psychological aspect over the weekend. Ratios are kept to 1:4 to ensure that you get personal instruction throughout. When you book you will be asked for your first and second choice for all modules. In the evening on the Saturday there will also be sessions on Trailside maintenance and the Psychology of Riding for those staying around.
| Saturday | Morning | Afternoon |
|---|---|---|
| Man made obstacles Jumps, bumps and drops Ups and downs – technically! |
Fun Parks Slow it down… From Red to Black |
|
| Sunday | Morning | Afternoon |
| Man made obstacles Jumps, bumps and drops Slow it down… |
Ups and downs – technically! Fun Parks From Red to Black |
Workshop Descriptions
Man-made Obstacles Boardwalks, rock causeways, raised trails etc. Top tips and plenty of practice to free up your riding and keep you moving on the trail.
Jumps, Bumps & Drops Top up your riding skills with great advice and tips from the experts on how to tackle these common obstacles with confidence.
Fun Parks They’re out there and they are great fun. Learn how to rail those berms and clear those doubles with style.
Slow it Down… Trial skills for the trail rider. It’s all about improving our control of the bike.
Ups and Downs – technically! How to climb and descend more technical ground.
From Red to Black Here we put it all together to look at riding harder lines and bigger drops, rock staircases etc. Build your confidence with great coaches.
Pre-requisites: This weekend is for bikers who love man made and natural trails. To get the most out of the weekend you need to be able to ride red runs confidently and competently.
Mountain Bike Navigation
This is a one-day course, which equips the Mountain Biker with all the necessary information to navigate away from the marked trails and to explore the wilderness. The course will focus on the use of map, compass and GPS for planning and then practical navigation using all the above as well as a bike computer.
Pre-requisites: Only to have the will to get out and explore on your bike. You must have your own mountain bike and ensure it is properly set up for you and have a bike computer fitted.
Dates: TBA
Mountain Bike Mechanics & Maintenance
This is a one day course, which equips the Mountain Biker with all the necessary skills to set up, maintain and fix their bikes in the workshop or on the trail. We will try to cover all the basics including bike set up and the maintenance and fixing of Head Sets, Wheels, hubs, bottom brackets, chain sets, gears and brakes.
Pre-requisites: Only to have the will to get to know your own bike.
Dates: Apr 27, Jun 11, Sep 17, Dec 02 | Length: 1 day | Ratio: 1:8 | Cost: £60
Mountain Biking Qualifications
Note: It is a requirement to have registered with the Scottish Mountain Bike Leader Association (SMBLA) before attending TCL training and be a member of British Cycling by your TCL Assessment and beyond.
See www.scuonline.org for more details of the pre-requisites and syllabus.
For all SMBLA courses you will need to provide your own bike, gloves, glasses and helmet. You will also need a fitted bike computer.
Trial Cycle Leader Training
First level of mountain bike leader qualification for non-serious and non-remote areas.
Dates: Apr 28-29,May 10-11, Jun 22-23,Aug 05-06, Sep 07-08,Oct 25-26,Nov 22-23,Dec 06-07
Length: 2 days | Ratio: 1:8 | Cost: £190
Trail Cycle Leader Assessment
Dates: May 03, Jun 24, Aug 13, Sep 19, Nov 08, Nov 26
Length: 1 day | Ratio: 1:4 | Cost: £70
Mountain Bike Leader Training
Second level of Mountain Bike leader Qualification for more serious and remote terrain.
Dates: May 13-14, Sep 09-10, Oct 27-28, Nov 24-25
Length: 2 days | Ratio: 1:8 | Cost: £190
Mountain Bike Leader Assessment
Dates: May 03, Jun 25, Sep 18, Nov 09
Length: 1 day | Ratio: 1:4 | Cost: £70
Expedition Module Training
This is an additional module for those who wish to take parties wild camping as part of a bike journey. It is available to both Trail Cycle Leader (TCL) and Mountain Bike Leader (MBL) Award Holders.
Dates: Jun 28-29, Aug 02-03, Oct 11-12
Length: 2 days | Ratio: 1:6 | Cost: £190
Expedition Module Assessment
The assessment consists of two consecutive nights camping in the wild over the course of a 3 day period. A training course must have been completed to be able to attend the assessment.
Dates: Aug 09-11, Sept 13-15
Length: 3 days | Ratio: 1:4 | Cost: £290
Night Riding Training
This is an additional module for those who wish to take parties out in night conditions. It is available to both TCL and MBL Award Holders.
Dates: Nov 29
Length: 1 day | Cost: £70
Night Riding Assessment
The assessment is run over one evening. A training course must have been completed to be able to attend the assessment.
Dates: Dec 10
Length: 1 day | Cost: £70
Please visit our website for details www.glenmorelodge.org.uk or call 01479 861256