Clancy BriggsBlog

Located on the edge of the Peak District, close to Sheffield, Greno Woods is a fantastic mountain biking venue with a mixture of maintained MTB trails, natural terrain and technical features.

We love coaching at Greno, but we also know that its reputation for steep trails, jumps and technical riding can make it sound like a venue only suitable for very advanced riders.

So our Greno Woods coaching days now offer two different groups – Greno Fundamentals and Greno Advanced.

This means younger riders and those who are still developing their off-road skills can experience Greno with coaching appropriate to their ability, while more experienced riders can continue to tackle the bigger and more technical features the venue has to offer.

Both groups run during the same coaching day, with our coaches selecting terrain and features appropriate to each group's ability.

Location – Greno Woods, S35 7DSTimings – 10:00 – 16:00Suggested age – 8+Required ability – Riders should already be able to confidently ride a mountain bike off-road, control their speed and use their brakes effectively.

This group is designed for riders who want to build strong, confident off-road riding technique before progressing onto Greno's more advanced features.

You do not need to be able to clear gap jumps, ride large drops or manual to join the Fundamentals group.

It is ideal for riders who are comfortable riding off-road but would benefit from coaching to improve their body position, braking, cornering, bike control and confidence on rougher or steeper terrain.

Riders joining Greno Fundamentals should be able to:

1. Confidently ride a mountain bike on off-road trails.
2. Stand up on the pedals and maintain a balanced riding position.
3. Control their speed and use both brakes safely.
4. Ride gentle descents and uneven terrain with confidence.
5. Be comfortable riding as part of a group for a full day.

This isn't a learn-to-ride session, so riders should already have good basic bike control. We'll be riding red graded trails, with rollers, berms and jumps.

Our coaches will use suitable sections of Greno Woods to gradually introduce riders to more challenging terrain while building the fundamental techniques they'll need as they progress.

Throughout the day we'll break riding down into key skills including:

• Strong and balanced body position.
• Effective braking and speed control.
• Moving your body on the bike.
• Cornering on flat turns and berms.
• Riding rough and uneven terrain.
• Climbing and descending confidently.
• Lifting and unweighting the wheels.
• Introducing rollers, small trail features and suitable drops or jumps where appropriate.
• Choosing lines and looking ahead on the trail.

The aim is to give riders solid techniques they can take onto any MTB trail, while giving them the confidence to start exploring more technical riding.

Location – Greno Woods, S35 7DSTimings – 10:00 – 16:00Suggested age – 12–16, although ability is much more important than age.Required ability – Riders should be confident riding red-graded trails as a minimum and already have experience of technical terrain, jumps, drops and steep berms.

This is the progression group for riders who are already very comfortable on their mountain bikes and want to develop their skills on Greno's faster and more technical terrain.

For riders who have attended our Sherwood Pines sessions, we'd suggest being confident in our more advanced/red group and comfortable with the gap jumps there before joining the Greno Advanced group.

We know trail gradings vary considerably between venues, so it can sometimes be difficult to judge whether a session is right for you.

To get the most from the Greno Advanced group, we recommend riders can:

1. Confidently clear approximately a 4ft gap jump.
2. Pop a manual and wheelie for at least 1 metre.
3. Confidently tackle steep berms and rollers at speed.
4. Ride red-graded trails comfortably and under control.
5. Approach technical trail features with good bike control and awareness.

Greno's terrain is considerably more technical than the trails you might find somewhere such as Sherwood Pines. There are larger features, including gap jumps and drops, and sections of trail are steeper and faster.

The Advanced group will break down Greno's trails and features, working on techniques including:

• Strong and dynamic body position.
• Flat turns and high-speed berms.
• Weight distribution and bike movement.
• Lifting and unweighting the wheels.
• Jumping with control and consistency.
• Drops and technical trail features.
• Line choice through more challenging terrain.
• Carrying speed while remaining controlled.
• Linking features together and developing overall trail speed and flow.

This group is a clear step up from our Red Group sessions at Sherwood and is aimed at riders ready to progress their technical riding further.

If you're unsure which group is right for your child, please contact our team at [email protected] and we'll be happy to help.

Both Greno Fundamentals and Greno Advanced take place on the same day.

We'll split riders according to their current ability so that each group can work on the terrain, features and techniques that will benefit them most.

Our coaches will also keep an eye on riders throughout the day. If we feel someone would learn more, be safer or simply have more fun in the other group, we'll discuss moving them.

In the event of low numbers, the Fundamentals and Advanced groups may be combined.

If this happens, our coaches will still adapt each activity to suit individual riders. Greno gives us plenty of opportunity to use the same section of trail in different ways, allowing less experienced riders to work on fundamental technique while more advanced riders tackle suitable progressions and technical features.

Our priority is always to make sure every rider is appropriately challenged, safe and enjoying their day.

You'll need a good-quality mountain bike suitable for off-road riding at Greno Woods.

It doesn't need to be a high-end model, but it must be well maintained, in good working order and appropriate for the rider and the terrain.

For either group a hardtail is fine, but both require good mtb tyres (eg Maxxis minion) and working brakes. Fixed seatposts need to be dropped low for this session & flat pedals with pins are necessary.

For the Advanced group in particular, the bike needs to be suitable for rougher and more technical off-road terrain.

If you're unsure whether your child's bike is suitable, please contact us at [email protected] and one of our coaches will be happy to advise.

Please bring:

1. Working mountain bike and helmet – helmets must be the correct size and fit, in good condition and free from cracks or damage.
2. Packed lunch – with plenty of high-energy food.
3. Spare inner tube – the correct size for your bike.
4. Warm clothing and waterproofs – we'll be outside all day and conditions can change quickly.
5. Plenty of snacks – bananas, flapjacks, jelly babies and other high-energy snacks are ideal.
6. Plenty of water/drinks – enough for the whole day.
7. Gloves.
8. Sun cream.
9. Knee pads and elbow pads.

Gloves, knee pads and elbow pads are mandatory for all riders attending our Greno Woods coaching sessions.

We ask all riders to wear gloves, knee pads and elbow pads at Greno Woods because the trails and surrounding terrain can be rocky and unforgiving.

The most common knocks in mountain biking are often relatively simple scrapes to knees and elbows. A good set of pads can be the difference between brushing yourself off and carrying on or spending part of the day sitting on the sidelines.

More importantly, wearing protection means our coaches can spend their time doing what they love – helping riders progress, gain confidence and enjoy riding their bikes.

Pads keep you riding, learning and enjoying the session from start to finish.

Our team of qualified, experienced and insured instructors are First Aid trained and Enhanced DBS checked.

They'll be on hand throughout the day to make sure riders are safe, supported, appropriately challenged and, most importantly, having a brilliant day on their bikes.

£70 per rider for the full day, 10:00 – 16:00.

Your booking is for the Greno Woods coaching day. Riders will then be placed into the Fundamentals or Advanced group according to their age, experience and current riding ability.

If you're unsure which group to select when booking, just choose the one that sounds closest to your rider's current ability and add any relevant information when booking. Our coaches can make the final decision on the day.

Places are limited, so advance booking is recommended.

Advanced Sessions
Friday 30th October 2026 | 10:00 - 16:00

Fundamentals Sessions
Friday 30th October 2026 | 10:00 - 16:00

Not sure whether Greno Fundamentals or Greno Advanced is the right choice? Contact our team at [email protected] and we'll be happy to help you choose.