Why choose Dirtschool?

Mountain bike coaching doesn't have to fast paced and full on. In fact, we truly believe that our mountain bike courses will give you mix of insight, confidence, knowledge and tuition all delivered with a mellow vibe. A mellow vibe that's produced World Champions no less.

You see, All Dirt School™ coaches are experienced riders and we've been there already. Whether that's at the head of a terrifying trail, on the start line of a big race or even just finding our feet on the bike again after a little crash. It's this feet-on-the-ground approach to mountain bike coaching that's earned us respect at the top. Whether that's writing books and developing our own tuition techniques or coaching World Champions.

As one of the few full time mountain bike coaching companies in the UK, we don't just do this in our spare time - we do it every day. Something that you just can't replicate anywhere else. In fact, we've spent years finely tuning our mountain bike courses to guarantee you end up faster, safer and able to have more fun on the bike.

Whether it's standing trackside at the World Champs or trailside at Glentress - we’re working with riders. Come and join us, whatever you ride we'll make your sport better for you. We promise.

Chris Ball

Career Highlights

• Founding director of Dirt School
• Scottish National Downhill Academy coach
• Scottish Champ, Mega Avalanche addict and World Cup racer (‘02-’07)
• British Team DH + 4X coach for 2007 and 2008 World Championships
• UCI Gravity Sports Coordinator 2011 - present
• UCI Technical Delegate for the mountain bike World Cup and World Championships (2008 - present)
• First Class BSc Hons in Sports Science
• Borders College mountain bike course founder and lecturer (2009 - present)
• MBR Riding, heath and fitness journalist
• Earthed 4 cover star…
• Technical Editor for Go MTB proficiency award
  
• Author: The Manual - Mountain Biking (August, 2010)

Andy Barlow

Career Highlights

• Dirt School partner
• Scottish XC mountain bike Champion 2009
• Scottish XC mountain bike Series Champion 2008 and 2009 (Elite)
• National XC mountain bike Series Champion 2008 (Expert)
• Trans Scotland 07 Winner (Solo)
• Scottish Junior Downhill mountain bike Champion 1997
• Experienced full time mountain bike coach
• Remembers when riding in Oakley Frogskins were cool the first time around…
• Legend

Rowan Sorrell

Career Highlights

• Author of European Trail Guide (Published ’08)
• Welsh DH Champion
• Director of Back on Track - the trail building company responsible for constructing Brechfa, Afan etc!
• Newport skatepark local
• Dirt Mag Journo
• Cover Hero or What MTB and many others!

Ruaridh Cunningham

Ruaridh needs little introduction. 2007 Junior World Champion, Ru has been working with Chris since 2006 and is still an integral part of the Scottish Downhill Academy. Riding professionally, at first for Chain Reaction Cycles and now for Maxxis Rocky Mountain USA, Ruaridh has had a top ten result in Champery 2010 World Cup and is set to repeat this in years to come.

Ruaridh isn't just a full time racer though. Now qualified with the MBLA, he has been assisting on our Borders Academy of Sporting Excellence (BASE) Downhill course and has spent he last six months coaching alongside Chris and Andy.

A true riding talent with the ability to convey what he does, a session with Ruaridh is a session well spent.

Due to a hectic international competition schedule, Mr Cunningham's time is limited but please get in touch to arrange your lesson now.