Mountain Bike Skills Workshop – October School Holidays

Ready to hit the trails? This fun, hands-on course will help your kids (and you) develop the skills and confidence to ride off-road safely. By the end of the program, you’ll be ready to enjoy Canberra’s beautiful spring riding season on green-level mountain bike trails. 🚵‍♀️🌿

Course Dates & Times

This program runs over four sessions during the September–October school holidays:

• Tuesday 30 September 2025

• Thursday 2 October 2025

• Tuesday 6 October 2025

• Thursday 9 October 2025

Choose one of two session times when booking:

• Session 1: 1:00pm – 2:30pm

• Session 2: 2:45pm – 4:15pm

Please arrive 10 minutes early to allow time for sign-in, bike checks, and briefing.

Who Can Join?

• Ages 8+

• Parents are welcome to participate alongside their children (must have their own ticket, bike, and required gear)

• Riders must already be able to confidently ride a bike for at least 2km on hard surfaces or bike paths

What You’ll Learn

Over four progressive sessions, you’ll build core mountain biking skills in a supportive, small-group environment.

Bike Safety & Readiness

• Conducting pre-ride safety checks

• Understanding bike setup for different terrain

Foundation MTB Skills

• Stability & balance: body position for flat, climbing, and descending

• Controls: smooth braking, gear shifting, and maintaining cadence

• Terrain awareness: choosing the best line, spotting features, and reading the trail ahead

• Direction control: maintaining line, obstacle avoidance, and cornering at low and higher speeds

Trail Maneuvers

• Front and rear wheel lifts

• Hopping and pedal lifts

• Roll-downs over small obstacles

Location

We’ll be riding on the Centenary Trail’s single tracks and fire roads between Forde and Hall.

Meeting point: Centenary Trail Entrance, Harry Seidler Crescent, Taylor (between Alistair Knox Terrace & Berry Mann View)
Parking: Free on-street and off-street parking available on Harry Seidler Crescent
Facilities: No toilets or water onsite – please bring everything you need

What You’ll Need

• A serviceable mountain bike suitable for green-level trails:

  • Working front & rear brakes (no pedal brakes)

  • Gears (no single speeds)

  • Cross-country tyres (no road tyres)

  • Ideally, front suspension

  • If your bike doesn’t meet these requirements, you may be able to borrow one from our Bike Library (subject to availability)

• An ASNZ-approved helmet

• Gloves and closed footwear

• A filled water bottle (that can be carried on your bike)

• Sun protection (hat/sunglasses, sunscreen applied before the session)

• Snacks for the break (optional but recommended)

• Lightweight rain jacket if wet weather is expected

Pre-Course Equipment Check

All bikes, helmets, and footwear must be inspected and approved before the course begins.

• Where: Bike Library, 100 Sutherland Crescent, Taylor

• If you cannot attend beforehand, let us know so our trainer can meet you early on day one. Please note: If your equipment doesn’t meet safety standards, you will not be able to ride, which may result in missing the first session.

Your Instructor

Tony “Tone” Watson is a certified Mountain Bike Instructor with AusCycle and the International Professional Mountain Bike Instructor Association (PMBIA). With over 30 years of training experience, Tony has raced cross-country and gravity enduro events across Australia, representing the Australian Defence Force Cycling Team.

Tony is also a qualified personal trainer, has studied Sports Science, and holds a Working with Vulnerable People Card in the ACT. He has extensive experience coaching children and adults, including those with autism and ADHD. A Gungahlin local, Tony knows the Centenary Trail like the back of his hand and can’t wait to share it with you.

🌟 Spots are limited – secure your place today and get ready for an unforgettable school holiday adventure!  

💛 Need a little help to join this course?
We believe everyone should have the chance to ride! If cost is a barrier, you may be eligible for a subsidised spot through our Pedal It Forward program.

👉 Apply here: Pedal It Forward Application Form

Pedal It Forward helps Canberrans experiencing financial hardship access our cycling programs – because cycling should be for everyone!