Author: Mathijs

The EO-MTBiNG — European Organization Mountain Bike instructor Guide — Exam is the central European certification event for the continent’s most dedicated MTB Instructor-Guides. Every year, aspirant guides from across Europe go head-to-head with a rigorous multi-day examination covering everything from Higher and Low Speed control, Navigation and Emergency response, to Skills Instruction and Epic Trail Guiding — all assessed by fellow certified Instructor-Guides who hold the standard themselves.

Last year in La Bresse, France, the atmosphere was electric: 16 candidates from 4 countries, 9 assessors, 20 live clients — 45 people in total representing 8 nations — came together for three intense exam days. It is not, as the saying goes, a bike ride in the park.

This October, the exam moves to the Czech Republic — and we’d love you to be part of it, not as a spectator, but as a live client. During the Guiding and Skills Instruction exam days, candidates need real riders to guide and coach. That means you get a free, guided MTB experience led by some of the best aspirant guides in Europe, on one of the continent’s most celebrated trail networks. Blue-level riders and up are very welcome — it’s free, it’s fun, and it genuinely matters.

The Venue: Rychlebské Stezky

Nestled in the rugged Rychleby Mountains of the Czech Republic, close to the Polish border in the Olomouc region, Rychlebské Stezky has become one of the most celebrated trail centers on the continent. Built from the ground up by a passionate local community — backed by a crowdfunding campaign that raised over €46,000 from more than 1,000 contributors — this is trail building driven by genuine love for the sport.

“Perhaps one of the best trail centers in Europe!”
— German MTB journalist

The network offers everything from fast, flowing lines to raw technical singletrack, all starting and finishing at the central Základna (Base). Crucially for an October exam, all trails are engineered to be rideable in wet weather. On-site facilities include bike hire, a biking school, a bike café, a repair shop, and a full-suspension test centre.

Trail Highlights

Superflow — Eight progressive sections of sculpted berms and rhythm features; the signature line of the trail center, great for skills instruction.
Wales — Rocks, roots and committed mountain terrain. Named after the spiritual home of enduro.
Velryba — Chunky granite boulders and exposed features for advanced technical riding.
Vidnavský Okruh — Relaxed, scenic forest riding; ideal for blue-level live clients joining the guiding exam.

Full Exam Schedule — October 2025

How to Apply