At FINDRA, we want to empower women to embrace adventure, build confidence, and inspire others. That’s why, through the FINDRA Foundation, we’re thrilled to sponsor two women to take part in the MTB Leadership Course in partnership with the FNY Collective.
To give you a real insight into what the course is like, we caught up with past participant, Emma Whettall, to hear about her experience—what she learned, how it’s shaped her riding, and why she’d encourage others to take the leap. If you're thinking about applying, read on!
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background in mountain biking?
I’m Emma—I’m 31 and lucky enough to call Fort William, Scotland, home. The outdoors is where I’m happiest, whether it’s climbing, running, skiing, or, of course, biking.
I’ve been riding bikes for as long as I can remember. As a kid, family camping trips—mostly to Snowdonia in Wales—were spent tearing around the campsite on two wheels for hours on end. But it wasn’t until university that I really got into mountain biking. At Southampton University, I joined the mountain bike club. Surprisingly, for the 36th largest university in the UK, there were only two of us girls in the club!
Biking with the uni club gave me the chance to go on some brilliant trips and, more importantly, build my confidence. I was the weakest rider by a long shot when I joined, which meant I had to push my limits just to keep up. At first, it was sheer determination and a lot of white-knuckle riding, but eventually, my skills caught up with the speed.
After university, I moved to Scotland and have been in and around the Highlands since. Eight years on, and I’m still just scratching the surface of the incredible riding on offer here!
What first drew you to mountain biking, and how has your journey evolved over the years?
I touched on the start of my biking journey in my previous answer, but since moving to Scotland, mountain biking has undoubtedly become my main passion. No matter the conditions - dry, wet, or midgey - there’s always a ride to be had.
Spending more time on the bike over the past few years has really helped my fitness and skills progress. I’ve even dipped my toes into the occasional enduro race, though for me, the real joy comes from riding purely for fun—whether that’s with the FNY Collective or the local club. It’s about the adventure, the friendships, and that unbeatable feeling of flowing down a trail.
What made you decide to apply for the MTB Leadership Course?
Mountain biking has traditionally been a male-dominated sport, something that was especially obvious during my time riding at university. While things are improving—thanks to initiatives like the FNY Collective—it’s still a journey the sport is on.
I’d been interested in gaining a mountain bike leadership qualification for a while, knowing it could allow me to actively contribute to the change I wanted to see. I wanted to help engage more women and girls in the joy of biking, creating a welcoming space for them to develop confidence on the trails. Specifically, I wanted to be able to offer some led rides for my local MTB club to try and diversify the membership.
For a long time, I hesitated to take the leap—partly out of fear that I wouldn’t be skilled, fit, or fast enough to keep up. But when I saw the leadership program being offered by the FNY Collective, with the chance to go through it alongside fellow riders and with the support of previously qualified members, it felt like the perfect opportunity. The chance to take on the challenge in a supportive, far less daunting environment made all the difference.
How did you feel going into the course—excited, nervous, something else?
The qualification is split into three parts, each bringing its own emotions and challenges.
The first step was the training course—a two-day session at Glenmore Lodge alongside my fellow FNY prospective leaders. Since this stage was all about learning rather than assessment, there was no pressure going in. Mostly, I felt excited—keen to meet new friends, absorb as much knowledge as possible, and learn from both the Glenmore instructors and the other prospective leaders.
Next came the consolidation period. This stage involved building up my logbook and reinforcing everything learned during the training. It was a brilliant excuse to spend as much time on the bike as possible. What made it even better was the FNY Collective’s support—they provided plenty of opportunities for us to help lead group rides, allowing us to learn firsthand from already qualified leaders.
The final part was the assessment—back at Glenmore Lodge for a one-day evaluation. Heading into this, the nerves definitely kicked in. Even though the assessor was really friendly and I was taking the assessment alongside three others from the FNY leadership program, there was still that nervousness to do well—not just for myself, but to see my friends succeed too.
Can you describe a typical day on the course? What kind of skills did you learn?
The two-day training course was packed with invaluable skills, covering everything from bike maintenance to navigation and leadership.
We started with the essentials of bike maintenance—learning how to fix a puncture, index gears, mend a broken chain, and tackle other common mechanical issues. From there, we moved on to navigation, covering how to read a map, take a bearing, and measure distances accurately.
Beyond the technical skills, we also focused on group management and first aid, both crucial elements for ensuring a safe and enjoyable ride.
Finally, we put it all into practice by taking turns leading the group. Each of us had the chance to navigate a section of the ride, manage and encourage the group, and ensure safe riding practices. It was a brilliant way to consolidate everything we had learned.
And, of course, mixed into all of this was some fantastic riding on the trails around Aviemore. We were lucky enough to have amazing weather—not something that’s guaranteed for future courses, but definitely a welcome bonus!
What was the most challenging part of the course, and how did you overcome it?
For me, the toughest part of the course was group management. The technical aspects—like navigation and bike mechanics—came more naturally since I already had some experience in those areas. But leading and managing a group was completely new to me.
Before starting, I had so many questions: Where should I position myself within the group? How do I ensure everyone is having a good time and getting what they want from the ride? How do I keep the pace comfortable? How do I ensure everyone is riding safely? At the time, I had no idea how to answer them.
The training course at Glenmore Lodge provided invaluable insights, but the biggest factor in overcoming this challenge was the support of the FNY Collective. I learned so much from watching and asking the already-qualified leaders during the consolidation period, getting the chance to put theory into practice on FNY-led rides, and observing the other prospective leaders on the course—who were all amazing!
What was the most rewarding or unexpected thing you gained from the experience?
The best part for me was becoming part of an incredible network of women who ride. Going through the qualification alone would have felt daunting, but with the guidance of previously qualified FNY members and the support of my fellow prospective leaders, we were all able to grow—both as riders and leaders—and ultimately pass the qualification together.
Beyond the skills and confidence gained, the real reward has been the friendships. I now have an amazing group of friends to ride with, scattered all over Scotland.
How has completing the course changed your confidence or approach to mountain biking?
Completing the leadership qualification has significantly boosted my confidence in mountain biking. Whether I’m out riding solo, I now feel assured in my ability to navigate challenges safely and make the most of my adventures. When riding with a group, I feel comfortable taking on a leadership role—offering guidance, assisting with mechanical issues, administering basic first aid, and being more attuned to the dynamics of the team.
This qualification has opened up a whole new side of mountain biking for me. I can now confidently encourage others to get involved in the sport, support riders in progressing their skills, and contribute to the biking community.
Have you used your leadership qualification yet? If so, in what ways?
Yes, I've had the opportunity to put my leadership qualification to use in several ways. I've led rides for my local bike club, tailoring different styles to accommodate a range of experience and skill levels. It's been really rewarding to see new members join the club as a result, which has helped grow our cycling community.
I've also helped out on several FNY rides, including a weekend trip to Newcastleton. It was great fun and inspiring to see so many women push their limits and achieve some of their longest rides yet.
Do you have any future goals related to MTB coaching, leadership, or adventures?
I’m excited to continue progressing on my MTB leadership journey. My goal is to eventually achieve the Level 3 MTB Leadership qualification, which will allow me to lead groups on more challenging and remote trails. Right now, I’m focused on building up my skills and experience in preparation for booking onto the Level 3 training course next summer.
What advice would you give to someone considering applying for this opportunity?
Absolutely go for it! You'll gain invaluable skills, meet incredible people, and grow both your confidence and abilities. The FNY Collective provides such a supportive network that encourages learning and development. Getting the qualification is also a fantastic way to give back to the sport—helping others get involved and fostering a stronger mountain biking community.
How important was the support and camaraderie of the other participants?
The support and camaraderie of the other participants added so much to the entire experience. Having such a strong, encouraging network to go through the qualification with, turned what initially felt like a daunting challenge into something really enjoyable.
It meant I never felt hesitant to ask a question—no matter how simple—or to step up and try my hand at fixing a mechanical issue. The fear of being judged for not being fast enough or skilled enough completely disappeared. During the assessment, having a group of friendly faces as mock students helped take the edge off the nerves, and the encouragement we gave each other made the whole day way less stressful.
What do you think opportunities like this mean for women in mountain biking?
Opportunities like this are a fantastic way for women to grow their skills and confidence in what is traditionally a male-dominated sport. It can feel daunting to step forward for qualifications like this, but having a supportive space makes all the difference.
Beyond personal growth, earning a qualification allows you to share the sport with others, helping to diversify and strengthen the mountain biking community across Scotland. It’s a powerful way to inspire more women to get involved, push their boundaries, and feel empowered on the trails.
Who inspires you in the world of MTB, and why?
I recently attended the Big Bike Film Night, where I saw "Hazel's Film - From Darkness to Light", which showcases Hazel’s incredible journey into mountain biking. It was really inspiring to see how she overcame challenges to get out riding her bike, and the transformative role bikes can play in mental health and wellbeing.
Soon after seeing the film, I spotted Hazel at an enduro race at Comrie Croft. She was flying down the trail and later was standing on the podium - what an inspiration!
How to Apply
If you are interested in applying for the leadership programme, please contact The FNY Collection at thefnycollective@gmail.com. The deadline for applications is the 30th April 2025
Good Luck!
Sunday Inspiration
Favourite Trail
My favourite trail to ride runs down the Munro Gleouraich. It has everything: steep and loose from the summit giving way to fast and flowing singletrack, dotted with some tight switch backs to keep you on your toes. All with an amazing, and distractingly beautiful, view over Loch Quoich and Knoydart.
Remote, rugged Scottish riding at its finest!
Favourite Recipe
One of my favourite recipes is the Sri Lankan Beetroot Curry from Meera Sodha’s cookbook, East. In fact, everything in that book is delicious!
Favourite Quote
Favourite Song
Ah that’s hard to choose… anything by Rainbow Kitten Surprise.
