Connecting people to the outdoors through experiences that grow community.
Hone Your Mountain Bike Skills
All clinics are led by our BICP Certified Skills Instructors that have a passion for sharing their knowledge, teaching, and developing others. Each clinic is limited to six riders. Please note that these clinics are focused on skills with little to no trail riding. If you want skills training with more riding check out our Trail Adults program.
Questions? Please contact lcw@loppet.org.
REGISTER
Novice Skills
You’ll practice essential riding techniques, including body and bike position, shifting, braking, climbing, descending, and navigating minor obstacles on the trail. These clinics are ideal for those who are already comfortable riding a bike on flat and even terrain looking to advance their skills and technique. Our instructors will go over important communication skills and mountain biking trail etiquette with the aim of keeping multi-use trails safe and accessible for everyone.
Fundamentals
Skills covered: Ready position, bike/body separation, braking, shifting, cornering, ratcheting, Riding straight lines, tracking, small circles, switchbacks, trackstands, Climbing positions, restart on climb, climbing dismount, braking on descent, descending, descending dismount, steep descending and roll down.
Dates and Times
- May 15-16, Friday 6:00-8:00p and Saturday 9:00-1:00p
- June 26-27, Friday 6:00-8:00p and Saturday 9:00-1:00p
- July 24-25, Friday 6:00-8:00p and Saturday 9:00-1:00p
- August 21-22, Friday 6:00-8:00p and Saturday 9:00-1:00p
- September 11-12, Friday 5:30-7:30p and Saturday 9:00-1:00p
Basic Fundamentals
Skills covered: Ready position, bike/body separation, braking, shifting, cornering, ratcheting and more…
Dates and Times
- May 9, 8:30-11:30a
- May 30, 8:30-11:30a Women (FTW) only
- July 11, 8:30-11:30a
- July 18, 8:30-11:30a Women (FTW) only
- August – September TBD (Reg will open 5/15/2026)
Slow Speed (Helps to know Fundamentals)
Skills covered: Riding straight lines, tracking, small circles, switchbacks, trackstands and more…
Dates and Times
- June 6, 8:30-10:30a
- August – September TBD (Reg will open 5/15/2026)
Climbing & Descending
Skills covered: Climbing positions, restart on climb, climbing dismount, braking on descent, descending, descending dismount, steep descending and roll down. Prerequisite
Dates and Times
- June 6, 11:00-1:00a
- August – September TBD (Reg will open 5/15/2026)
Wheel Lifts (Helps to know Fundamentals)
Skills covered: Front wheel lift, rear wheel lift, level lift)
Dates and Times
- May 30, 1:00-3:00p
- July 14, 6:00-8:00p
- August – September TBD (Reg will open 5/15/2026
Intermediate Skills
Advanced cornering, berms and pumping (Prerequisite: Fundamentals or equivalent experience)
Skills covered: High speed cornering, berms and pumping
Dates and Times
- May 31, 8:30-10:30a
- August – September TBD (Reg will open 5/15/2026)
Advanced Wheel Lifts (Fundamentals or equivalent experience)
Skills covered: 1/4 punch (pedal assist) wheel lift, manual front wheel lift and intro to bunny hop
Dates and Times
- June 21, 11:00-1:00p
- August – September TBD (Reg will open 5/15/2026)
Drops (Prerequisite: Fundamentals or equivalent experience)
Skills covered: Roll down lunge, lunge drop, stomp drop, north shore dismount
Dates and Times
- June 21, 8:30-10:30a
- August 1, 8:30-10:30a
- August – September TBD (Reg will open 5/15/2026)
Advanced Skills
Jumps (Prerequisite: See description)
We are collaborating with DrtPdlrs on this 4 hour thorough jump clinic. These skills are intended for intermediate to advanced riders with previous skills training or equivalent experience. Safety is our number one priority and we reserve the right to remove anyone that is not ready for these complex skills.
Skills covered: Jumping
Dates and Times
- May 9, 8:30-12:30p
- May 30, 9:00-1:00p
Private Skills Lessons
Interested in solo lesson? Lessons for you and a friend/s? Maybe family lessons? We offer private lesson for you or any size group. If you are interested in a private lesson please fill out this form.
Private MTB Skills Lesson Pricing
- Solo lesson $65/hr 2 hour minimum
- Lesson for 2 $95/hr 2 hour minimum
- Lesson for 3 $120/hr 2 hour minimum
- Lesson for 4 $145/hr 2 hour minimum
- Lesson for 5+ please fill out this form.
All pricing listed on RunSignUp reflects the processing fees per Minnesota’s “Hidden Fees Statute,” SB 478. RunSignup charges a variable processing fee of $1 per transaction plus 6% as our standard price.
Equipment
Required equipment for this class includes the following. We are happy to help you make bike adjustments during the first session.
- A tuned mountain bike or fat bike
- Flat platform pedals are prefered and smooth soled shoes are ideal (no open toed sandels/shoes)
- A helmet
- Having the ability to lower your saddle is helpful, but not mandatory
- Water bottle or hydration pack
Need a bike? We have rentals available through our Adventure Shop inside the Trailhead building.
Refund Policy
The Loppet will issue a full refund of the program fee minus the original processing fee up until 4 weeks before the program starts. Between 4 and 3 weeks from the program start date, a 50% refund will be issued. There are no refunds for any cancellations within less than 3 weeks of the start of a program.
If you have any questions, please contact lcw@loppet.org.
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