TSALTESHI SPROCKETS
New rider registration opens April 1st, 2024 at 9:00 am!
Click HERE to register on April 1!
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 8-15 years old who are proficient in basic road/sidewalk bicycle riding skills. (Must be turning 8 in 2024.) Previous mountain biking experience is NOT required.
REGISTRATION
Registration opens April 1, 2024, and will remain open until 80 riders have registered, or until April 15, whichever comes first. Families with returning riders will have an opportunity to register early.
LESSON DATES
• June 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20, 25 & 27
• Lessons are from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and start at the Bike Shack behind the Skyview Middle School hockey rink.
FEES
$100.00 per biker for all eight lessons. Additionally, each biker must be covered under a Tsalteshi Trails membership, either individually as a student ($25) or as part of a family membership ($150-$250). Start or renew a TTA membership here. A limited number of need-based scholarships are available. If you are interested, please contact tsalteshisprockets@gmail.com.
(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, a bear bell, helmet medical info carrier, fun Sprockets socks and other program expenses.)
ATTENDANCE
Though occasional absences might be unavoidable, please do not register for this program if you know your rider will miss more than two lessons. Groups progress quickly and it will be difficult for a rider to keep up (and have fun in their group!) if they miss several lessons. Sprockets does not offer refunds for missed lessons.
MANDATORY PARENT MEETING
An informational parent meeting will be help over Zoom at 6:30 p.m. May 28. Please be prepared to attend! This is your chance to ask questions and find out vital information about the program.
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
Contact tsalteshisprockets@gmail.com if you need to drop out before the program begins. Once the program starts there are NO REFUNDS for TTA membership or program/lesson fees.
CODE OF CONDUCT
Each biker and their parent must read and agree to a code of conduct prior to participating in the program.
TTA RELEASE
Parents must read and agree to a Tsalteshi Trails Association release form prior to participating in the program.
BIKE MAINTENANCE
A bike safety check must be completed prior to the start of the program. Safety checks can be done for no charge at Beemuns in Soldotna (there is a charge if repairs need to be made). Bikers are expected to come to every lesson with a well-functioning and maintained bike.
LESSON START TIMES
Lessons start promptly at 6:15 p.m.! Plan to arrive 15 minutes early to go through your bike safety check, locate your group and receive any necessary instructions before lessons begin.
At the start of each lesson, a parent or guardian must escort their child to their group and confirm attendance with their coach. At the end of each lesson, a parent or guardian must collect their student from the field, again checking in with the coach.
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 if on a bike. This includes parking lots, lesson staging areas and before and after lessons. If you are on a bike, you must wear 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.
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.
COACHES
Each group will have one coach and one assistant coach. Coaches 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 attendant 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.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
E-mail tsalteshisprockets@gmail.com.