Week-Long camps for 8 - 10 & 9 - 12 year olds to develop mountain bike skills in a fun and safe environment with professional coaches and guides
What you will Learn:
1
Position & Balance
- Safe starts & dismounts
- Seated & standing positions
- Finding balance on two wheels
2
Braking & Gears
- Learn to confidently slow down & stop with both brakes
- Discover control in variable terrain
- Match and time your gearing to the trails
3
Bike Handling & Coordination
- Discover how to match your bike to changing terrain
- Increase your range of motion as a rider
- Work on your timing
- Create an active riding style
4
Cornering
- Learn how to ride a variety of corners: flat, bermed, cambered, etc
- Combine skills to create control in corners
5
Maneuvers
- Fun and playful movements that give you options out on the trails
- Wheel lifts, hopping, jumping, dropping, etc
CAMP Checklist:
Must be read, filled out, and signed before the first day of class. Visit http://www.nolanriding.com to view and complete the waiver
Your bike should be trail ready - having an appropriate bike can make all the difference for an aspiring mountain biker. Ideally, your bike fits you well, has been recently serviced at your local bike shop, and is in good working order. All of our programs are mountain bike specific - road bikes, BMXs, or commuter bikes aren’t appropriate for our programs. Full suspension bikes are not mandatory. A good entry level hardtail mountain bike with good brakes and tires will be just fine for anyone just starting out with the sport!
All riders must have cycling/mountain bike specific helmets that fit them well, and haven’t been crashed in. Full faces are not mandatory, but offer the most protection. We highly recommend mountain bike specific knee pads, elbow pads, and riding gloves. Protecting your hands, knees, and elbows will mitigate most abrasions and cuts that can occur from tumbles and falls. Riding glasses are advisable, even basic safety glasses work fine to keep dust and dirt out.
You should match your clothing to the season you’re riding in. Generally during the spring and summer, shorts and t-shirts work fine. For fall riding you may want to consider pants, long sleeve shirts, and jackets. Your clothing should be comfortable and appropriate for athletic activities and functional for the weather. If summer camp includes a lake visit you will be notified to pack a swimsuit!
Mountain bike shoes are recommended but any close-toed athletic shoe will work. We will be biking, walking, running, playing, and hiking so make sure the shoes are comfortable and are okay to get dirty. Please dress for the weather and bring additional clothing (jacket) when necessary. We will be outside for the duration of the program so please dress appropriately.
We recommend specific mountain bike shoes, primarily because they have stiff soles and sturdy toe boxes that can protect feet in crashes or collisions with roots and rocks. The shoe is your primary connection point to your pedals and bike, so flat soled shoes work best to create contact between feet and pedals. Skate shoes or Vans can be great alternatives to mountain bike specific shoes. Hikers or Blundstones aren’t ideal.
Please send your child with at least one spare tube that is the right size for their wheels. If you aren't sure of what size is needed, please bring your bike to your local shop when you purchase to tube to make sure it's the correct size and type.
Mountain biking takes a lot of energy - please bring lots of nutritious snacks!
Hydration packs such as Camelbaks are recommended. Alternatively, a large water bottle or two medium bottles also work. Riders must be able to carry their own water/snacks unless otherwise arranged!
Please contact us if you have any questions or comments
Happy Riding!