Fall 2019 Absolute Youth Cycling

Registration for the Fall program starts Wednesday, July 31 at Noon for both first and second session.  Online registration will go live on this page at that time.

Please contact Program Director James Haarmeyer with questions about programming or to be included on registration-related emails at james@absolutebikes.com.

“2-Wheel Fridays” Fall 2019

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.
  • Friday programs are recreational in nature, and fun for any kid that enjoys riding their bike.
  • 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:
The lowest acceptable skill level is that the child must be comfortable and safe riding his/her bike around town with an adult.  This is not a program for children with training wheels or for absolute beginner riders. 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.

When:

FIRST SESSION
  • August 23 – first class
  • August 30 – second class
  • Sept 6 – no class, Labor Day
  • Sept 13 – third class
  • Sept 20 – fourth class
    No Makeup Session

–  3rd-4th grades – 9 to 11am
–  1st-2nd grades – 12 to 2pm
–  5th-8th grades –  2:30 to 5pm

SECOND SESSION

  • Sept 27 – first class
  • Oct 4 – second class
  • Oct 11 – third class
  • Oct 18 – fourth class
  • Oct 25 – Make up class due to weather cancellations.

–  3-4th grades – 10am to noon
–  5-8th grades – 1pm to 3:30pm

(Only 3-4th and 5-8th grade classes, no 1st-2nd graders in this session.)

Where:
Meet behind Absolute Bikes.  Riding locations will vary each week, depending on age and skill level.
– Riders may be transported or shuttled via ABA van depending on location/skill/age/etc…

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

AYC T-shirts: $5 (+tax) and must purchase during registration.

What’s Included:

  • Coaching with maximum 5:1 ratio (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th) or 7:1 ratio (5th-8th)
    • All coaches are CPR and First Aid certified
  • Licensed and insured transportation between Absolute Bikes and riding areas, as necessary
  • Loaner helmet, if needed
  • Discount on bike rental, if needed. (Regular daily rental fee becomes the weekly rental rate for program participants.  And you keep the bike for the duration of the session.)

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

Middle School Advanced Groups Spring Sessions Only

What:

  • Please carefully read the “Skill” section below!  Contact James with questions.
  • There are two coed advanced groups:
    • 7th and 8th graders on Wednesdays from 4:30pm to 7:30pm
    • 5th and 6th graders on Thursdays from 4:30pm to 7:30pm
  • Grade limits do not define ability, but they do keep riders in appropriate social settings with their peers.
  • Classes are longer and 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.
  • Each group is capped at 10 riders.

Skill:
These advanced after school 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.  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 difficultly, 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 James at james@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: $5 (+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
  • Loaner helmet, if needed
  • Discount on bike rental, if needed. (Regular daily rental fee becomes the weekly rental rate for program participants.  And you keep the bike for the duration of the session.)

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

Registration Hints and Protocols:

Please contact Program Director James Haarmeyer with questions about programming or to be included on registration-related emails at james@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 for 1st-2nd grade and 3rd-4th grade classes, and 20 kids for 5th-8th grade classes. Advanced Middle School program is limited to 10 kids.
Kids can initially sign up for only one session, not both.  However, if there are still open spots a week after registration open, I 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 you are registering more than one kiddo in different age groups or sessions,  the fastest way to do this is to click the “Purchase Another Ticket” button after you complete the first registration, then hit the “Back” button in the top right of the webpage  – not your browsers back button – to bring you back to the page with the various sessions and classes.  If that doesn’t make sense or doesn’t work, just go back to this page. (hint: register your younger child first, as those classes fill up faster)
If a class is full and you are unable to register: please immediately send James an email (address above) 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.
The waiver (required) will be linked in the confirmation email that you will receive after you register.