Spring 2021 Absolute Youth Cycling

Registration for Spring session will open Wednesday March 3 at Noon.  Registration will go live on this page at that time.

If you have kids in different classes, I’d recommend registering the youngest first (or have both parents on a computer) – the system doesn’t allow for a “shopping cart” so you have to register for two different sessions separately.

Please register for only ONE session per child. If you’d like to be on a list for an additional session, please email me and if space is available a week after registration opens, I’ll let you know you can register.

Any questions, shoot me an email – jessica@absolutebikes.com

If you would like to get on the parent email, please sign up here:

 

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Registration Protocols:

Please contact Program Director Jessica Downing with questions about programming or to be included on registration-related emails at jessica@absolutebikes.com.

Registration online only and is first-come first-served – classes will fill up.   Class sizes for Friday programs are limited to 15 kids. Advanced 7th & 8th program is limited to 10 kids.
Kids can initially sign up for only ONE session, not more. This includes Middle School for Advanced & Friday programs.  However, if there are still open spots a week after registration open, we will open up the spots to kids who are already enrolled in the other session.  If your kiddo wants to do both sessions, please shoot me an email after registration to let me know.  If I see a kid registered for both, I will cancel one session.
If a class is full and you are unable to register: please immediately send Jessica an email (jessica@absolutebikes.com) with the session, grade class, and child’s name to be put on the waitlist. The order that I receive these emails will translate into the order of the waitlists.

“2-Wheel Fridays” Spring 2021

When:
*note: there will be no make-up days for either session. Riders will need to be prepared for inclement weather. Cancellation due to weather is at the coach’s discretion when it is deemed unsafe to be outside.*

FIRST SESSION:
April 2
April 9
April 16
April 23

10am-noon – 3rd & 4th Grade
1pm-3:30 – 5th-8th Grade

SECOND SESSION:
April 30
May 7
May 14
May 21

9am-11am- 3rd & 4th Grade
Noon-2pm – 1st & 2nd Grade
2:30pm-5pm – 5th-8th Grade

What:

  • 2-Wheel Fridays bicycling and mountain biking programs provide a safe, supportive atmosphere for elementary and middle school children to learn the lifelong joy and skills of bicycling, while having fun outside with friends.
  • Sessions consist of a blend of biking skills, safety, fitness, outdoor exploration, and good, clean fun!
  • Depending on age/ability other topics might include: road/traffic/trail etiquette; team work; bicycle maintenance & repairs; nutrition and hydration; first aid; land and trail stewardship; trail use and access issues.

Skill:
This is not a program for children with training wheels or for beginner riders. The lowest acceptable skill level is that the child must be comfortable and safe riding his/her bike around town with an adult. For 3rd Grade and up, we strongly suggest trail/dirt experience. Bikes need to have hand brakes and gears are highly recommended.

Kids will be broken into groups according to skill, experience, motivation, friendships, weather, terrain, and coach/child ratios.

Where:
Meet behind Absolute Bikes.  Riding locations will vary each week, depending on age and skill level.
– Riders may be transported or shuttled via shop van during field trip days.

Cost:
1st/2nd and 3rd/4th groups = $90
5th – 8th  group = $110

AYC T-shirts: $10 (+tax) and must purchase during registration.

What’s Included:

  • Coaching at a minimum 5:1 ratio
    • All coaches are CPR and First Aid certified
  • Licensed and insured transportation between Absolute Bikes and riding areas, as necessary

Additional details about what to bring and how to be prepared will be emailed after registration is completed.

Advanced Group – 7th & 8th Grade

When:

    • Wednesdays from 4:30pm to 7pm –  4 weeks, starting April 28, 2021


What:

  • Co-ed 7th & 8th Graders
  • Please carefully read the “Skill” section below!
  • Classes are more intense than the Friday programs.
    • Longer harder climbs, more technical descents, and smaller groups that can tackle these kinds of rides safely and as a cohesive group.
  • Advanced skills lessons are combined with road/traffic/trail etiquette; team work; bicycle maintenance & repairs; nutrition and hydration; first aid; land and trail stewardship; trail use and access issues.
  • Additional preparation in the way of equipment is necessary and important for these longer, more remote rides.  We are trying to teach self-reliance.
  • Capped at 10 Riders

Skill:
The advanced programs are not simply the next step after your child has participated in the Fridays programs – they are for riders who have a strong desire to pursue a harder progression in mountain biking and are willing to put in the work to achieve that goal and are interested in being on the high school mountain bike team.  Suitable riders are ready to explore and conquer the “black” level trails in our area (Cottonwood, Upper Sand Dunes, Hooligan, North Backbone…) and have the desire and stamina to happily climb up to those harder descents.  Technical skills are only one component of these groups.  Motivation, strength, stamina, endurance, and a strong desire to pursue a harder progression are all necessary.

Parents – there is a significant difference out in the field between you wanting your child to pursue a harder progression and your child being genuinely interested and motivated to pursue that harder progression.  If the motivation and desire isn’t coming from the child, then these advanced groups are not suitable for your child right now.  Because of the increased difficulty, it is extremely important that all members of the group have similar goals, aspirations, and motivation that will allow us to keep the group together and functioning as a team.

I expect that many of you are not sure whether these advanced programs are for your child.  They are not designed for everyone, and space is limited.  In lieu of tryouts (which I think add too much pressure to something that should be fun and does not involve official competitions), if you have any questions or concerns prior to registration please just contact Jessica at jessica@absolutebikes.com to discuss the advanced classes.

Where:
Meet behind Absolute Bikes.  Riding locations will vary each week.
> Riders may be transported or shuttled via Absolute Bikes Adventures van.

Cost:
$125

AYC T-shirts: $10 (+tax) and must purchase during registration.

What’s Included:

  • Coaching with maximum 6:1 ratio (5th-8th)
    • All coaches are CPR and First Aid certified
  • Licensed and insured transportation between Absolute Bikes and riding areas, as necessary

Additional details about what to bring and how to be prepared will be emailed after registration is completed.