A three-year training course to become a mountain biker - sounds too good to be true? Not at Borders College in Scotland. The course called BASE Mountain Biking accepts talented riders. Andy Barlow, who is responsible for the course, confirms that a significant part of the first year actually takes place on the trail. He works for the Dirt School, which has been running the course on behalf of Borders College for 15 years. Dirt School doesn't exactly sound like boring school lessons either. 

In the second and third year, the graduates would then also learn to pass on their knowledge about mountain biking, training, health, etc. The most prominent graduate of the course is Reece Wilson, 2020 Downhill World Champion. Other names include Lewis Buchanan and Greg Williamson. It is generally young racers who start the course. However, Barlow explains that the majority then work alongside the race track rather than on it.

Students from other countries are also welcome, and mountain bikers from Spain, Ireland and Nepal have already completed the course. Andy Barlow is pleased about the interest: "Anyone who thinks this course is something for them can get in touch with us. We will look at the individual situation." 

Getting mountain bikers into education

During the first two years of the BASE Mountain Biking program, students usually complete their 12th and 13th school years and graduate with A-levels, which are roughly equivalent to A-levels or A-levels. The third year is then equivalent to the first year at university, explains Barlow. After that, some would continue their education at a university, be it in the direction of sports science, economics, engineering, media, photography or music. However, the course apparently also qualifies students for practical careers - some alumni are employed as mechanics in World Cup teams, while others work as trail builders "for companies such as Red Bull or Velosolutions", he explains. "Many more graduates now run their own businesses or live abroad as self-confident adults."

Finally, Borderes College wants to inspire young people to invest in their education with the mountain biking course. One lecturer explains: "Many young people start the course with the sole aim of becoming professional racers. But with each year, more training opportunities open up to them and they begin to recognize them." This is particularly important in mountain biking, where an injury can end a career.

The training, which sounds like a lot of fun, is not entirely cheap. The tuition fee for the three years is between 13,500 and almost 16,000 euros. Not including accommodation and other living costs. But you'd have to find a better training route than the trails in Scotland first!

Andy Barlow recommends that anyone interested should watch the video first. Anyone who is still convinced that BASE Mountain Biking is the right thing for them should send him an email: andy@dirtschool.co.uk.

More info from Borders College about the course

Dirt School