Family Mountain Bike Skills Program - Beginner Course

The Family Mountain Bike Skills Program is a two-week introductory course designed for families who are keen to explore mountain biking together. The program is suitable for adults and children (Grades 1-6) who can already ride a bike independently but are new to mountain biking or would like to develop greater confidence and control on trails.

The course provides a fun, supportive and encouraging introduction to the fundamental skills needed to ride mountain bike trails safely and confidently. Participants will be divided into two groups, with a dedicated adult group and children's group, allowing the coaching and activities to be tailored to the needs and abilities of each group.

Across the two sessions, participants will be introduced to key mountain biking skills in a progressive format, beginning with fundamental bike control skills before applying these skills to the trails.

Program Details

Dates & Times: Saturday 31^st October & Saturday 7^th November 12:30pm-2:30pm

Location: Gap Creek MTB Trails

Suitable for: Adults and children who can confidently ride a bicycle but are new to mountain biking or would like to improve their confidence riding on trails.

Session 1 – Body Position & Braking

The first session will introduce participants to the fundamental skills required to ride mountain bike trails with greater control and confidence.

Participants will learn and practise:

• Starting & stopping
• Body position
• Braking techniques
• Gear changes

The session will focus on developing confidence and control, helping participants understand how their body position operations control can influence the way their bike handles on the trail. The adult group and children’s group will combine towards the end of the session for a family ride.

Participants will have the opportunity to practise these skills in a supportive environment and begin applying them to the trail, building a strong foundation for the second session.

Session 2 – Cornering & Looking Ahead

The second session will build on the skills introduced in Session 1, focusing on techniques that help riders navigate trails more confidently and efficiently.

Participants will learn and practise:

• Body position & braking for corners
• Effective gear selection for climbing
• Looking ahead to ensure preparation while riding

Participants will have the opportunity to apply these skills on the Gap Creek trails, building confidence through practical coaching, repetition and guided trail riding. The adult group and children’s group will combine towards the end of the session for a family ride.

The second session will allow participants to bring together the skills developed throughout the course and experience the enjoyment of riding mountain bike trails with greater confidence and control.

Program Outcomes

By the end of the two-week program, participants will have developed a stronger understanding of the fundamental skills required for mountain biking. They will be better equipped to:

• Ride beginner mountain bike trails with greater confidence
• Use appropriate body position on the bike
• Use their brakes safely and effectively
• Navigate corners with improved control
• Approach uphill sections with greater confidence
• Manage their speed and momentum

Most importantly, the program aims to provide families with a positive introduction to mountain biking, giving both adults and children the confidence and skills to enjoy riding trails together.