If you have ambition to become a Mountain bike instructor/leader/coach then the MIAS pathway is idea.
We here at Everything Awesome have been running MIAS courses for many years with many hundreds of coaches around the UK enjoying employment due to the qualification gained with us.
This syllabus is designed as a modular training program to take a rider from Level 1 (Fundamental) to Level 3 (Advanced/Elite) based on the provided Assessor Skill Level Sheet.
Course Title: Advanced MTB Skills & Technical Mastery
Duration: 3 Progressive Modules (Level 1, 2, and 3)
Objective: To develop proactive, technical, and safe mountain bike handling through the mastery of braking, balance, and obstacle clearance.
Module 1: Foundations of Control (Level 1)
Focus: Establishing safe habits and basic bike-body separation.
- Braking Fundamentals: Correct sequencing (rear before front); achieving 75% front/25% rear distribution without skidding.
- Drivetrain Management: Basic gear selection for varying terrain; eliminating cross-chaining.
- Static Balance: Introduction to the “Track Stand” (5-second hold) and weight movement around the bike.
- Vertical Mobility: * Basic pedal kicks and front wheel lifts over 10cm objects.
- Introduction to hopping and bunny hop principles.
- Terrain Navigation: * Descending slopes up to 30degree and climbing up to 20.
- Handling small drop-offs (up to 15cm).
- Clearing roots and logs under 12cm.
- Cornering Basics: Body positioning (inside pedal up, weight on outside foot, knee tracking).
Module 2: Proactive Handling (Level 2)
Focus: Increasing height, steepness, and shifting from reactive to proactive riding.
- Advanced Braking: Complete use of both brakes to full potential; demonstrating individual modulation to avoid lock-ups.
- Proactive Shifting: Smooth gear transitions and an understanding of cadence and gear ratios relative to terrain.
- Balance & Air: * Extending Track Stands (5–10 seconds).
- Front wheel lifts to 30cm; clearing 15cm obstacles.
- Executing a stationary two-wheel hop and speed jumps (7.5cm).
- Technical Descents & Climbs: * Handling 30 degree – 45 descents and 20 – 30 climbs.
- Drop-offs between 15cm and 50cm.
- Advanced Cornering: Applying cornering fundamentals through switchbacks.
- Trail Obstacles: Clearing medium logs and ruts (12–15cm).
Module 3: Technical Mastery (Level 3)
Focus: Elite-level maneuvers, extreme terrain, and fluid movement.
- Precision Control: Maximum power braking with full modulation; “instinctive” proactive shifting.
- Extreme Balance: * Comfortable 10-second+ Track Stands.
- Extreme weight shifts (e.g., body behind rear axle for steep descents).
- Stationary hops with lateral (side) movement or rotation.
- High-Level Maneuvers:
- Front wheel lifts to 50cm; clearing 20cm+ objects.
- Effortless bunny hops over 7.5cm+ objects.
- Speed jumps over 10cm+ objects.
- Elite Terrain:
- Steep descents 45 and climbs over 30
- Drop-offs exceeding 50cm.
- Clearing large obstacles (logs/roots over 15cm and complex ruts).
- Dynamic Cornering: Maintaining speed and technique through complex, linked series of turns (hitting apexes and accelerating out).
Assessment Methodology
Each module concludes with a practical evaluation. Students must demonstrate:
- Consistency: Performing the skill correctly 3 out of 3 times.
- Safety: No loss of control or “sketchy” landings.
- Fluidity: In Level 3, the assessor looks for “flow”—the seamless transition between different skills.