No fooling! Registration for the 2022 youth mountain biking program, Sprockets, opens at 6 a.m. April 1, and remains open until 80 slots are filled, or until April 15, whichever comes first.
MISSION
Developing lifelong 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 2022.) Previous mountain biking experience is NOT required.
LESSON DATES
• June 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28 & 30
• July 5, 12 & 19
• Lessons are from 6:15-7:30pm and 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. A limited number of need-based scholarships are available. If you are interested, please follow the instructions during the registration process.
(The fee covers TTA liability insurance, trail maintenance, safety equipment, lesson equipment, use of basic bike repair equipment, use of the Bike Shack, Port-A-Potty rental fees, and a bear bell & a helmet medical info carrier.)
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT NOT COVERED BY THE PROGRAM
• A reliable bike with hand brakes and gears
• Bike safety check form completed and turned in prior to the 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 the program)
• Extra inner-tube
• Windbreaker / raincoat
• Smile
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT NOT COVERED BY THE PROGRAM
• Bike gloves
• Protective eyewear
• Bug spray
REFUNDS
• TTA Membership-NO REFUND
• Program/Lesson fees-NO REFUND
CODE OF CONDUCT
Each biker and their parent will sign the code of conduct prior to participating in the program.
TTA RELEASE
A Tsalteshi Trails Association release form will be signed by the parent prior to participating in the program.
PARENT PARTICIPATION
All parents are asked to attend the first lesson on Thursday, June 9th to assist during the ability assessment ride. During lesson times, parents will NOT ride with their child’s ability group.
Please contact tsalteshisprockets@gmail.com, if you are interested in volunteer opportunities.
BIKE MAINTENANCE
The mandatory bike safety check form must be completed and turned in prior to parent night. Bikers are expected to come to every lesson with a well-functioning and maintained bike.
LESSON START TIMES
Lessons start promptly at 6:15 pm! Plan to arrive 15 minutes early to go through your bike safety check, 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
EVERYONE must wear a bicycle helmet. This includes parking lots, lesson staging areas, and before and after lessons. If you are on a bike, you have on a helmet!
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 include 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 and coaches’ recommendations. Sprockets lessons DO NOT include racing. Our insurance prohibits racing. TTA offers many opportunities to race.
COACHES
Each group will have one coach and one assistant coach with no more than eight youth bikers. Each head coach will have a background check prior to the first lesson. All coaches will carry a coach’s safety kit, which will include a cell phone, bear spray, first aid kit, trail treats, etc.
BIKE SHACK
The Bike Shack located next to the Skyview Middle School hockey rink will be our home base. An adult 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 that oversees the program. For more information, e-mail tsalteshisprockets@gmail.com.