This summer Blacksheep Mountain Bike Club is partnering with Coach Katherine to provide a series of skills clinics aimed at youth. Keep your eyes peeled for future announcements regarding other skills clinics that may be offered as well.
This round of clinics is designed for young riders who are transitioning from pavement to trail, and for any young rider wanting to learn skills to build confidence on green and easy-blue level trails. Each session will utilize a combination of instruction, games, and trail riding to learn, practice, and apply concepts. The skills learned will follow a systematic progression with the following core skills and techniques:
1) Body Position and Balance
2) Braking
3) Shifting
4) Descending
5) Climbing
Depending on group and time constraints, other skills that may be covered may include:
6) Dynamic Riding
7) Roll-downs
8) Wheel lifts
Each group will have no more than 8 participants at any given time. Children are required to hold a current Blacksheep membership. All clinics will start at Kinsmen Park unless otherwise notified. Volunteers have been recruited to help with group management.
Youth Clinic #1
Date: Tuesday August 9, 16, and 23 of 2022
Time: 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Who: Co-ed kids aged 7 to 9
Registration: https://www.webscorer.com/register?raceid=282153
Youth Clinic #2
Date: Sunday August 7, 14, and 21 of 2022
Time: 10:00am to 12:00pm
Age: Co-ed kids aged 7 to 9
Registration:Â https://www.webscorer.com/register?raceid=282154
Youth Clinic #3
Date: Sunday August 7, 14, and 21 of 2022
Time: 12:30pm to 2:30pm
Age: Co-ed kids aged 10 to 12
Registration: https://www.webscorer.com/register?raceid=282155
Skills clinic pricing will be $90 for all three sessions.
Each child’s bike and equipment must have the following:
1) Working front and rear hand brakes. Coaster brakes will not be permitted.
2) A geared bike that is suitable to ride off-road on trails with roots, rocks, and other obstacles. If you have any questions on whether your child’s bike is suitable, please reach out to Coach Katherine
3) Tires with tread and in good condition – any tires where you cannot see the tread down the middle, or tires where you see strings or signs of wear on the sidewall, will result in the participant being unable to participate in the session due to safety concerns for the child and other participants.
4) A modern helmet in good condition. Any evident cranks, dents or material disintegration will result in the participant being unable to participate in the session due to safety concerns for the child.
5) Water that can be stored on the bike or in a “camelbak” style pack and a small peanut-free snack.
It is recommended, but not mandatory, that each child have:
1) Knee and elbow pads for protection.
2) Half or full finger gloves.
COVID-19 Considerations:
Programming will follow government recommendations regarding COVID-19. If any participant is feeling unwell and/or exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, they are asked to stay home and follow TBDHU recommendations.
Who’s running it?
Head Coach Katherine Morency will be designing and instructing each session. She is a PMBIA Level 1 certified coach, NCCP certified and in-training with Cycling Canada’s competitive coaching programs, and is a Kinesiology graduate from Lakehead University. She has over 12 years of riding experience, including 1 year of coaching experience and is an active coach with the Norco Dirt Series coaching all across Canada.
Reach out to Coach Katherine at katherineanne.morency@gmail.
