Mountain Biking Programs

Mountain Biking with the Outdoor Program provides participants the opportunity to explore this growing activity in a approachable learning environment. With our highly qualified staff, participants can learn the basics of proper braking, cornering, body positioning, and climbing techniques, as well as some basic trail maintenance.

Women's Mountain Bike Clinics

Join us for a women-led beginner mountain bike ride. We’ll learn proper braking, cornering, and climbing techniques, as well as how to repair a flat tire! Bring a Friend!

Mountain Biking Skills Courses

Want to boost your mountain biking skills? Let us help you. Come out and let us help you master the MTB skills you want to learn or learn new skills either on our portable skills course or at our MTB skills park.

Mountain Biking Basics

Tired of watching videos of other people mountain biking?? Have you been wanting to learn the skills needed to shred the mountain but don’t know where to begin? Let us show you the path and get you hooked on this great outdoor activity. Bring your bike, helmet, and let’s do this attitude and let us take care of the rest.

Preparing For A Mountain Biking Program

Required Gear

Participants are required to bring a safe and working personal bike and a safe and fully functional bike helmet.

Your Bike: Is the most important and necessary piece of gear you need for this activity. Make sure that it is fully functional and in good working order. Check to make sure the shifting, brakes, and wheels & Tires are all working as they should. If you are not sure take it to one of the local bike shops for an inspection and tune up.

Your Helmet: Is the second most important piece of gear you need and one that could save you from a severe injury. Make sure it is in good working order with no cracks or major damage to the outside or inside, all the appropriate padding is in place, and that all the straps are intact with no tears or worn areas.

Clothing

MTB Shorts: Options for mountain biking shorts range from form-fitting styles (often worn by cross-country racers) to baggy styles with a more casual look and more coverage and durability for snags along the trail. Both generally have an inner lining with a padded chamois that helps reduce saddle fatigue and reduces some of the trail impact.

Jersey: Similar to shorts, jerseys range from form-fitting to loose and more casual-looking. Regardless of fit, you still want to choose something that wicks sweat and dries quickly. You’ll also want something you can wash and dry with little fuss. If you plan to carry a backpack, you won’t need a lot of pockets—although some mountain-bike jerseys offer that option.

Gloves: You’ll be surprised how much a good pair of gloves reduces hand and wrist fatigue; we recommend a pair with padding at the palm. Full-fingered gloves keep your hands warmer and provide some texture between your fingers and the grip on the brakes and gear shifters. Both fingerless and full-fingered gloves add protection in the event of a crash.

Footwear

The right shoe/pedal combination depends on your comfort level and what type of riding you’re planning on doing.

Platform pedals are good for beginners and people less confident on mountain bikes. The benefits starting with flat platform pedals are you can get on and off the bike and put your foot down quickly.

Clipless pedals (which despite the name, actually attach to your shoes) deliver a lot more control and power transfer, and are recommended for more experienced riders.

Whatever pedal style you choose find shoes that have hard, protective toes, some decent grip for when you have to hike and some water protection for rain and mud. If you’re buying platform pedal shoes for downhill riding, get ones with a tacky sole so that they can sink into the pedal pegs, but you can easily dismount if things get dicey.

Additional Items

 These Items are highly recommended to make your day more enjoyable.

• Lunch & snack and one liter of drinking water and other beverage of your choice, (no glass containers or alcohol)
• Small backpack to carry water & food