Youth Mountain Bike Program

Tsalteshi Sprockets

Click HERE to register!

June 5 - July 31, 2018

MISSION

Developing life long cyclists while building self-confidence, having fun and playing outdoors.

GOALS

Demonstrate improved bike handling and safe trail riding skills while gaining self-confidence

Practice proper trail etiquette and stewardship

Develop a love of physical fitness through the lifelong activity of cycling

Value a connection to nature by exploring outdoors

Create riding comradery, friendships and fond memories while having FUN!

ELIGIBILITY: Open to youth ages 8 - 16 years old who are proficient in basic road/sidewalk bicycle riding skills. (Must be turning 8 in 2018.) Previous mountain biking experience is NOT required.

REGISTRATION for the 2018 season will open April 1, 2018 and will close April 30, 2018. Registration will be on a first come - first serve basis. The first 36 bikers to register will be accepted into the program. A wait list will be formed if more than 36 bikers register. More spots may open depending on the availability of qualified coaches.

TIMES, DATES & LOCATIONS

• Mandatory Parent & Youth Meeting: Tuesday, June 5th at 6pm at the Soldotna Sports Center
• Important program paperwork, information and question & answer session.
• Bicycle helmet medical information carriers will be handed out.
• Bike Check - Beemun’s Bike Loft will be performing free bike safety checks.
• Bike Swap - Do you have a bike that you’d like to sell? Bring it! It might be perfect for another rider.
• Safe Kids - Bring your helmet for a safety check and fitting. New helmets will be available for a small fee from Safety Jane.
• Lesson Dates
• June lessons will be Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:15-7:30pm.
• July lessons will be Tuesdays from 6:15-7:30pm. (No lesson July 3, 2018)
• All lessons will start at the Bike Shack beside the Skyview Middle School Hockey Rink.

FEES: $75.00 per biker for all 10 lessons.

Additionally, each biker must be covered under a Tsalteshi Trails membership, either individually as a student ($20) or as part of a family membership ($120). Membership forms are available online at www.tsalteshi.org.

(The fee covers TTA liability insurance, trail maintenance, safety equipment, lesson equipment, use of basic bike repair equipment, use of the Bike Shack, Porta-Potty rental fees and a bear bell & a helmet medical info carrier when the youth enters the program.)

EXPENSES NOT COVERED BY THE PROGRAM

REQUIRED

• A reliable bike with hand brakes and gears
• Bike safety check form completed and turned in prior to first lesson
• Proper fitting bike helmet
• Closed toed shoes with laces or velcro - NO slip-ons or sandals
• Water bottle or hydration pack
• Bear bell (1 per rider provided by program)
• Medical emergency helmet label (1 per rider provided by program)
• Extra inner-tube
• Windbreaker / rain coat
• Smile

RECOMMENDED

• Bike gloves
• Protective eye wear
• Bug spray
• Padded bike shorts

REFUNDS

• TTA Membership-NO REFUND
• Program/Lesson fees-NO REFUND

CODE OF CONDUCT

Each biker and their parent will be expected to sign the code of conduct prior to participating in the program.

PARENT PARTICIPATION

All parents are asked to attend the first lesson and volunteer to assist at trail intersections during the ability assessment ride.

Parents are also encouraged & welcome to ride along during lessons, but must be able to keep pace with the group. Parents will ride sweep and participate with a group other than their child's. Parents can also sign-up to volunteer at the bike shack during lessons.

BIKE MAINTENANCE

The mandatory bike safety check form must be completed and turned in prior to the first lesson. Bikers are expected to come to every lesson with a well functioning and maintained bike ready to ride. Bikers will be educated on ABC Quick Check (Air, Brakes & Chain, etc.).

LESSON START TIMES

Lessons start promptly at 6:15 pm! Plan to arrive 15 minutes early to go through your bike safety check, to locate your group and receive any necessary instructions before lessons begin.

Tsalteshi Sprockets will not be responsible for bikers who arrive late for lessons. Youth will not be allowed to bike alone searching for their group. If you are going to be late, plan to ride with your child or miss the lesson.

PRE-RIDE REQUIREMENTS

Bikers should be hydrated, urinated, well nourished and dressed for conditions.

BICYCLE HELMETS

All coaches, volunteers and youth participants will be required to wear bicycle helmets when riding.

WEATHER

Unless serious weather or trail conditions are present that would be unsafe, bikers should plan on riding in all conditions. Bikers should come dressed accordingly. If you feel your child will not enjoy riding in a particular weather condition, please take that into consideration before sending them out with the group.

CURRICULUM

Skills, Drills & Fun. Each lesson will contain a warm-up period, a skill/drill in technique, a game and exploration of the trails on two wheels. All bikers will be assigned to small groups based on their riding ability. Movement between groups may occur based on progress.

COACHES REQUIREMENTS & TRAINING

Each coach will have a background check prior to the first lesson. They will carry a coach’s safety kit, which will include a cell phone, bear spray, first aid kit, trail treats, etc. There will be no more that eight youth bikers per group. Janice Tower, Founder and Coach of Mighty Bikes-Anchorage, will teach a two hour coaches training clinic at Tsalteshi Trails on Wednesday, June 6th.

BIKE SHACK

The Bike Shack located next to the Skyview Middle School hockey rink will be our home base. Two adults will be assigned to Bike Shack duty during each lesson. In the event a biker is injured or for any unforeseen reasons can no longer ride with their group, the biker will be escorted back to the Bike Shack and a parent will be contacted if necessary.

Tsalteshi Sprockets is affiliated with the Tsalteshi Trails Association and is run by a committee who oversees the program. For more information, e-mail tsalteshisprockets@gmail.com.