Family Mountain Biking Coaching Program - Grades 5&6

Welcome grades 5&6 students and parents!

We are excited to be running a family mountain biking program with the funding support of the Bike Riding Encouragement Program Community Grant! With this funding, Flow MTB Coaching will deliver a program built to help both kids and parents improve their riding abilities, boost their confidence, and enjoy the fun mountain biking offers. By the end of the program, you'll be equipped with the knowledge and skills to safely ride together as a family. Whether you’re new to mountain biking or want to improve your skills, this program offers coaching for both kids and parents in a supportive, community-focused environment.

Please note, this program is not suitable for individuals who do not know how to ride a bike.

Program Overview:

• Duration: 4 Weeks, 4x2hr sessions

  • Saturday afternoons 3:00pm-5:00pm (16th August, 23rd August, 30th August, 6th September)

• Sessions:

  • 3x coaching sessions at Moreton Bay Boys' College MTB Trails (includes bike maintenance workshops)

  • 1x family trail ride at Underwood/Daisy Hill MTB Trails

• Groups: We will separate kids and parents initially to allow you both to work on your individual skills, before combining the groups for a family trail ride. Both sessions will run at the same time for your convenience.

• Location: Moreton Bay Boys' College MTB Trails for coaching/bike maintenance, Daisy Hill MTB Trails for the family ride

Bike Hire:

We have a limited number of bikes available for hire. Please see the height recommendations below for the available children's bikes:

20inch - 120-135cm

24inch - 135-145cm

26inch - 145-165cm

All adult bikes available for hire will be 29inch.

Bike Requirements:

If you are not planning to hire a bike, please see the list of bike requirements below:

·       Mountain bike

·       Tires wider than 2 inches

·       Working brakes (front and rear) - preferably disc brakes

·       Working gears

We suggest you get your bike serviced prior to starting the program.

Local Bike Shops:

·       Pedal Inn – Manly West

·       Giant Bayside – Tingalpa

·       Trek - Carindale

What insurance do I need to attend the course?
To take part in this course you need insurance cover, and we recommend an AusCycling membership. You can get a free four-week trial AusCycling membership at: https://www.auscycling.org.au/membership/other/free-trial

Week 1: Mastering the Basics

We’ll start by laying the foundation of essential bike skills to ensure everyone is comfortable and confident on their bikes.

• Body Positions: Learn the right position for comfort, control, and safety while riding.

• Operations Control: Understand how to use your bike’s gears and brakes to navigate smoothly and effectively.

Week 2: Taking It to the Trails

Now that you've mastered the basics, it’s time to bring those skills to the trails! This week, we’ll focus on applying the fundamentals to tackle more technical elements.

• Body Position Over Obstacles: Learn how to position yourself and your bike to maintain control when riding over bumps, rocks, and trail features.

• Braking for Obstacles: Master the technique of braking to safely navigate obstacles while maintaining control.

Week 3: Cornering Techniques

Corners can be one of the more challenging aspects of mountain biking, but with the right skills, you can ride them with ease and confidence.

• Body Position for Corners: Discover how to adjust your body and bike to navigate turns smoothly.

• Braking for Corners: Learn how to brake properly before and during a turn to ensure safe and controlled cornering.

Week 4: Family Ride at Underwood/Daisy Hill

We’ll wrap up the program with a guided family ride at Underwood/Daisy Hill MTB Trails. This is your chance to apply everything you've learned in a fun, supportive family setting.

• Trail Etiquette: Learn the important rules and behaviours for riding safely and responsibly on the trails.

• Suggested Loops: We’ll suggest family-friendly loops that suit your skill level and provide a great experience for everyone.

• Trail Awareness: Develop the awareness to anticipate and react to trail features, ensuring a safer, more enjoyable ride for the whole family.

Bonus: Bike Maintenance Skills

To ensure your bike stays in top condition, we’ll provide some essential bike maintenance skills that every rider should know. These skills will be integrated into Week 2&3.

• Changing a Flat Tire: Learn how to quickly and effectively change a flat tire, ensuring you’re always ready to get back on the trail.

• Cleaning a Chain: Understand how to properly clean and maintain your bike’s chain for optimal performance.

• Separating Brake Pistons: Learn how to troubleshoot and fix common brake issues to keep your bike running smoothly.

This program is designed to get families out on their bikes, building skills, confidence, and a sense of community. It’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy quality time outdoors, stay active, and create lasting memories with your loved ones.

For questions or more information, please contact: flowmtbcoaching@gmail.com

Register today and start your family’s mountain biking adventure together!