Clancy BriggsBlog

Looking for something active, adventurous and outdoors for your child this October half term?

Our October Half Term MTB Coaching Sessions are back for 2026, with coaching at Sherwood Pines and Greno Woods, Sheffield for a wide range of ages and abilities.

Whether your child is taking their first steps into mountain biking, building confidence on blue trails, tackling more technical red-grade terrain or looking to progress their jumping and advanced trail skills, we have a group to suit them.

And this October, we've also introduced a new two-group format at Greno Woods, making this fantastic venue accessible to more riders.

Our experienced coaches focus on building confidence, developing great technique and, most importantly, making sure riders have an amazing day on their bikes.

October is a brilliant time to get out on the trails.

The changing conditions add a new dimension to riding, helping children learn how to adapt their technique, choose better lines and build confidence on natural terrain.

Mountain biking also gives children the opportunity to:

• Get active and spend the day outdoors
• Build balance, coordination and fitness
• Develop confidence and independence
• Learn to problem-solve and make decisions
• Meet and ride with other young mountain bikers
• Develop resilience and try new challenges
• Spend a little less time in front of a screen!

Our coaching sessions combine skills, challenges, games and plenty of trail riding to create a fun and supportive environment in which young riders can progress.

One of the biggest strengths of our holiday coaching programme is that riders can progress through our groups as their skills and confidence develop.

From their first experience of riding off-road at Sherwood Pines through to technical riding, jumps and drops at Greno Woods, there's always something new to learn.

Our Trailblazer sessions are the perfect introduction to mountain biking.

Designed for younger or less experienced riders who can already ride their bike independently, these sessions use games, challenges and simple trails to develop essential bike skills.

We'll work on:

• Braking and speed control
• Slow-speed balance
• Cornering
• Standing up on the pedals
• Basic off-road riding
• Trail awareness
• Confidence on the bike

The emphasis is on having fun while developing the fundamental skills riders need before progressing onto our Blue sessions.

Suggested age: 3+

Our Blue sessions are for riders who are already confident riding their bikes and are ready to develop their off-road and trail-riding skills.

During the session we'll work on:

• Body position and balance
• Effective braking
• Cornering techniques
• Climbing and descending
• Pumping rollers and generating speed
• Riding berms
• Line choice and trail awareness
• Building confidence on flowing blue-grade trails

Blue riders begin putting their skills into practice on real trails while continuing to develop strong fundamental MTB technique.

Once riders can confidently handle blue trails and demonstrate good bike control, they're ready to progress into our Red group.

Suggested age: 6+

Our Red sessions are for confident young mountain bikers who are comfortable riding off-road and are ready for more challenging terrain and features.

Sessions focus on skills including:

• Technical trail riding
• Berms and rollers
• Small drops
• Advanced cornering
• Steeper descents
• Pumping and generating speed
• Bike park and dirt jump skills
• Jumping technique
• Trail management and decision making.

Red riders spend more time on technical sections of trail, refining their bike handling and learning techniques that will help them become smoother, faster and more confident riders.

For many riders, our Sherwood Red sessions are also the stepping stone towards our coaching days at Greno Woods.

Suggested age: 10+

📍 Greno Woods, Sheffield

Greno Woods offers a very different riding experience to Sherwood Pines.

Located on the edge of the Peak District, its mixture of maintained MTB trails, natural terrain, steeper descents, berms, rollers, jumps and technical features makes it a fantastic venue for developing mountain bike skills.

However, we know Greno's reputation for technical riding can sometimes make it sound like a venue that's only suitable for highly advanced riders.

That's why our Greno Woods coaching days now offer two groups: Greno Fundamentals and Greno Advanced.

This gives riders a much clearer progression into Greno and allows our coaches to select terrain and features appropriate to each group's ability.

Greno Fundamentals is designed for riders who already enjoy riding off-road but want to build stronger MTB technique and confidence on more challenging trails.

It's the perfect progression for riders who are ready to experience Greno but aren't yet at the level required for our Advanced group.

Riders should already be able to confidently ride a mountain bike off-road, control their speed, use their brakes effectively and ride standing up on the pedals.

This isn't a learn-to-ride session. We'll be riding red-graded trails with features including rollers, berms and jumps, but riders do not need to be able to clear gap jumps, ride large drops or manual before attending.

We'll work on skills including:

• Strong and balanced body position
• Effective braking and speed control
• Moving your body on the bike
• Flat turns and berms
• Riding rough and uneven terrain
• Confident climbing and descending
• Lifting and unweighting the wheels
• Rollers and trail features
• Suitable drops and jumps where appropriate
• Line choice and looking ahead

The aim is to give riders solid off-road techniques they can take onto any MTB trail, while building the confidence needed to progress towards more technical riding.

Suggested age: 8+

Our Greno Advanced group is for experienced young mountain bikers who are already confident riding red-graded trails and want to develop their skills on faster, steeper and more technical terrain.

For riders who have previously attended our Sherwood Pines sessions, we'd recommend being very confident in our Red group and comfortable riding the gap jumps there before moving into Greno Advanced.

As a guide, riders should be able to:

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

During the day we'll work on:

• 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
• Advanced line choice
• Managing speed on challenging terrain
• Linking trail features together
• Developing overall speed and flow

This is a clear progression from our Sherwood Red sessions and is aimed at riders ready to take their technical mountain biking to the next level.

Suggested age: 12–16, although ability is much more important than age.

Both groups attend Greno Woods on the same coaching day.

We'll divide riders according to their experience and current ability, allowing each group to work on appropriate terrain, features and skills.

Our coaches will keep an eye on riders throughout the day too. If we feel someone would benefit from moving between groups, we'll discuss this and make sure they're riding at the level that gives them the best combination of progression, confidence and fun.

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

If this happens, our coaches will adapt activities and features to suit the riders within the group. The same section of trail can often be used in different ways, allowing Fundamentals riders to concentrate on technique while Advanced riders work on more challenging progressions.

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

📍 Sherwood Pines Forest

Green Trailblazers

Time: 10:00am – 11:30am
Price: £25 per session

Date:

• Thursday 29th October 2026

Perfect for younger riders and those starting their mountain biking journey.

Blue Trail Development

Times:10:00am – 12:30pm | 13:30pm – 16:00pm Or combine both sessions for a full day.
Price: £32.50 half day / £65 full day

Date:

• Thursday 29th October 2026

Ideal for riders who are already confident on their bikes and want to develop their off-road and trail-riding skills.

Red Advanced Trail Riding

Time: 10:00am – 16:00pm
Price: £65 per rider

Date:

• Thursday 29th October 2026

For confident riders looking to tackle more technical terrain, develop their jumping skills and take their trail riding to the next level.

📍 Greno Woods, Sheffield

Fundamentals & Advanced

Time: 10:00am – 16:00pm
Price: £70 per rider

Date:

• Friday 30th October 2026

Choose Greno Fundamentals for confident off-road riders aged 8+ who want to develop strong MTB technique on more challenging trails.

Choose Greno Advanced for experienced red-trail riders ready to tackle jumps, drops, steeper terrain and more technical trail features.

Not sure which one to choose? Get in touch and we'll be happy to help.

Trailblazers

Best for: Younger and less experienced riders
Suggested age: 3+
Location: Sherwood Pines
Duration: 1.5 hours
Price: £25

Blue

Best for: Riders developing off-road confidence and trail skills
Suggested age: 6+
Location: Sherwood Pines
Duration: Half or full day
Price: £32.50 half day / £65 full day

Red

Best for: Confident trail riders ready for technical features
Suggested age: 10+
Location: Sherwood Pines
Duration: Full day
Price: £65

Greno Fundamentals

Best for: Confident off-road riders progressing onto more challenging red trailsSuggested age: 8+Location: Greno WoodsDuration: Full dayPrice: £70

Greno Advanced

Best for: Experienced red-trail riders progressing to jumps, drops and technical terrain
Suggested age: 12+
Location: Greno Woods
Duration: Full day
Price: £70

To make sure everyone has a safe and enjoyable session, please arrive with:

✅ A working mountain bike suitable for off-road riding
✅ Correctly fitting cycle helmet
✅ Spare inner tube in the correct size
✅ Water bottle or hydration pack
✅ Packed lunch for full-day sessions
✅ Plenty of snacks

✅ Gloves
✅ Warm, weather-appropriate clothing
✅ Waterproof jacket
✅ Spare layers
✅ Suitable cycling footwear

October conditions can be changeable, so it's always worth bringing more layers than you think you'll need!

For all Greno Woods sessions, riders must wear:

✅ Gloves
✅ Knee pads
✅ Elbow pads

Gloves, knee pads and elbow pads are mandatory at Greno Woods.

Riders will also need a suitable mountain bike with good-quality MTB tyres and correctly working brakes. Hardtails are absolutely fine, but fixed seatposts will need to be dropped low and flat pedals with pins are necessary.

If you're unsure whether your child's bike or equipment is suitable, please contact us before booking and we'll be happy to advise.

Whether your child is discovering mountain biking with our Trailblazers, progressing their trail skills in Blue, tackling technical features with our Red riders or experiencing the fantastic trails at Greno Woods, our October Half Term MTB Coaching Programme is all about helping young riders progress while having a brilliant day outdoors.

Our groups are coached by experienced, qualified and insured instructors who are First Aid trained and Enhanced DBS checked.

Places on our school holiday sessions are limited, so early booking is strongly recommended.

Trailblazers | 10:00 – 11:30 | BOOK HERE

Blue AM | 10:00 – 12:30 | BOOK HERE

Blue PM | 13:30 – 16:00 | BOOK HERE

Red Full Day | 10:00 – 16:00 | BOOK HERE

To attend Blue for the full day, please book both the AM and PM sessions.

Fundamentals | 10:00 – 16:00 | BOOK HERE

Advanced | 10:00 – 16:00 | BOOK HERE

Not sure which session is right for your child? Contact the Clancy Briggs team and we'll be happy to point you in the right direction.

Get outside. Build confidence. Learn new skills. Ride bikes.