Getting more from yourself and your machine: your guide to obtaining the BMF Blue Riband Advanced Rider Award with SkilledBiker

Imagine carving through the mist-shrouded roads of the Scottish Borders, your motorcycle purring as you navigate sweeping bends and rugged hills.
The BMF Blue Riband Advanced Motorcycle Course with SkilledBiker isn’t just a training course—it’s a five-day journey that transforms your riding into an art form.

BMF admin lead Helen Hancock sat down with SkilledBiker lead coach Kevin Mulligan, a retired Police Superintendent and ex-Police biker, to unpack this unforgettable experience and establish why it really is the most unique way in which to gain your advanced riding qualification:

Q: What exactly is the BMF Blue Riband Advanced Rider Award?
A: The Blue Riband is amongst the gold standard in advanced motorcycle training and is built on the principles of Motorcycle Roadcraft, the police riding manual. It’s designed for riders who’re already full licence holders with a degree of skill and competence and who want to elevate their skills to an elite level.
You’ll master hazard perception, cornering, and throttle control with police-level precision, all while reducing risk and amplifying riding joy. Riders successfully completing the course earn accreditation for 3yrs, 12-months BMF membership and of course, a coveted pin badge!
The award has also recently been acknowledged by the Nationwide Association of Blood Bikers (NABB) for those seeking to become a blood biker.

Q: What makes SkilledBiker’s version of this award stand out?
A: We’ve taken the Blue Riband and turned it into an epic adventure through the Scottish Borders, based in the charming town of Moffat.
Instead of a sterile classroom or local loops, you get five days of immersive coaching across some of the UK’s most breathtaking roads—think Yorkshire Dales, Forest of Bowland, and the North Pennines. With only six riders per tour, you’re split into two groups of three, each led by a current or ex-Police Class 1 coach who’s also a current advanced test examiner.
It’s personalised, intensive, and unforgettable.

Q: Can you walk us through the five-day experience?
A: Day one is a scenic ride from the Lake District, warming you up through Bowland’s lanes, the Dales’ viaducts, and the Pennines’ rugged climbs.
You’ll settle into the Buccleuch Arms Hotel in Moffat—think Georgian elegance, single-occupancy rooms, and hearty breakfasts.

Days two and three are where the magic happens: tailored routes with technical hairpins and fast sweepers, one coach per group giving real-time feedback.
You switch coaches on day three for a fresh perspective.

Day four is the big test—an independent examiner assesses your riding for an hour on these roads.
Pass (and most do), and you’ll get your result right then. The rest of the day is a group ride on some of the simply outstanding Scottish Borders roads.

Day five wraps up any final assessments/re-assessments before you head home, riding and outlook on life transformed.

Q: What’s included in the £995 price tag?
A: Everything you need for the experience: five days of world-class coaching, the Blue Riband assessment, four nights at the Buccleuch Arms in single occupancy rooms with breakfast, a presentation from the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project, and a whisky tasting event at a local distillery. There’s also a last-night celebratory meal included in the tour price.

Q: Beyond the training, what makes this trip special?
A: It’s the soul of the Borders. You’re not just riding; you’re immersed in the region’s wild beauty—golden eagles soaring overhead, ancient stone walls, and heather-covered hills. The eagle project talk teaches you to spot these majestic birds mid-ride, and the whisky tasting is a nod to Scotland’s heritage. Plus, the camaraderie of a small group makes it feel like a band of brothers and sisters, swapping stories over fireside drinks.

Q: What do participants say about the experience?

A: One rider from this year summed it up: “Riding with SkilledBiker was like upgrading from a pushbike to a superbike. The coaches unlocked skills I didn’t know I had, and those Borders roads? Pure magic—twisty, empty, and alive.”
Riders leave not just with a badge but with a newfound confidence and flow that makes every ride feel effortless.

Q: Who should sign up, and how do they secure a spot?
A: This is for any rider with a full licence who wants to attain advanced rider status or improve and existing grade, whether for insurance benefits, personal growth, or that moment where you and your bike become one. Demand is high—May 2026 is already sold out, but September 7-11, 2026, still has spots.

Visit the booking page on the website here to book.

Q: Apart from Blue Riband, do you provide coaching & testing for other awarding bodies?
A: Full test options for RoSPA, IAM RoadSmart, and DVSA ERS are also available. It really is the riders choice as to which they prefer as all SkilledBiker coaches are examiners for each of the advanced rider tests.

Q: Any final words for riders considering this journey?
A: This isn’t just training—it’s a high-level skill set earned through hard graft. There’s no short-circuit path to passing the test, but the unique environment created on this tour really does accelerate the learning in a way traditional methods simply cannot match.

For more details on SkilledBiker, head to the website here

Written by Helen Hancock

All images courtesy of SkilledBiker