The Beginner Mountain Bike Clinics are part of the Loppet Foundation’s Trail Kids year-round programming.
These clinics are designed for youth ages 7-13 who have no experience riding single track trails (for programming for 13 and older, check out LCW Juniors programs). If you are new to the Trail Kids program, these clinics are highly suggested before taking one of the six-week evening sessions. Mountain bike clinics will be held primarily on open grassy areas with some single track riding at the end of each session. During clinic practices, participants will be coached by trained Loppet Trail Kids coaches on a variety of mountain bike skills, so they can become safe and confident riders. Fundamental Skills include:
- Ready/neutral position for descending hills
- Side/Side bike body separation
- Pedaling/shifting efficiently
- Controlling speed and braking safely
- Cornering confidently
- Handling obstacles and rocky terrain
- Riding with vision
- Ratcheting
Participants will be tested at the end of the session on different bike skills and will be able to move up in levels if they progress through additional tests throughout the season. For a full description of our mountain bike skill level progression, view the Trail Kids MTB Skill Level Guide.
Equipment/Bike Rental
Equipment Needed: All participants will need their own mountain bike, helmet, and water carrier. Bikes need to have both front and back wheel brakes on the handle bars (no peddle brakes or kickstands allowed). Tires must have tread and be wide enough to ride safely on mountain bike trails. For more on mountain bike equipment, view the Trail Kids MTB Equipment Guide.
Loppet Bike Rentals: Trail Kids has a limited mountain bike rental fleet for those who do not have one for an additional fee of $30. If you need to rent a bike, make sure to select this add-on when you register (as supplies last).
Registration Information
Registration *New for 2024*
Trail Kids will no longer offer priority registrations for returning Trail Kids families. This change will create opportunities for more youth and families to get involved in Trail Kids programming. We appreciate your understanding as we adapt our registration process and we look forward to continuing to provide you with high quality, fun, and accessible programming. Additionally, the 2024 Trail Kids Mountain bike sessions registration will not be a lottery. We are returning to registration on a first-come, first-served basis.
Registration for 2024 Trail Kids MTB Clinic 1 & 2 offerings will open on Friday, March 1, 2024 at 9am
Registration FAQs: For answers to many common registration questions please visit our Registration FAQ page
2024 Beginner MTB Clinic Dates
Mountain Bike Beginner Clinic 1 – Wednesdays
- Dates: May 29, June 5, June 12
- Days/Time: Wednesday 5:30 PM – 7 PM
- Location: The Trailhead (meet at team flags east of the Trailhead)
- Cost: $80
- Rental Bike Add On: $30 (limited stock, rental bike add-on NOT guaranteed)
- Equipment needed: Mountain bike, helmet, and water bottle carrier *must meet guidelines in the Trail Kids MTB Equipment Guide
Mountain Bike Beginner Clinic 1 – Early Thursdays
- Dates: May 30, June 6, June 13
- Days/Time: Thursday 4 PM – 5:30 PM
- Location: The Trailhead (meet at team flags east of the Trailhead)
- Cost: $80
- Rental Bike Add On: $30 (limited stock, rental bike add-on NOT guaranteed)
- Equipment needed: Mountain bike, helmet, and water bottle carrier *must meet guidelines in the Trail Kids MTB Equipment Guide
Mountain Bike Beginner Clinic 1 – Late Thursdays
- Dates: May 30, June 6, June 13
- Days/Time: Thursday 5:30 PM – 7 PM
- Location: The Trailhead (meet at team flags east of the Trailhead)
- Cost: $80
- Rental Bike Add On: $30 (limited stock, rental bike add-on NOT guaranteed)
- Equipment needed: Mountain bike, helmet, and water bottle carrier *must meet guidelines in the Trail Kids MTB Equipment Guide
Mountain Bike Beginner Clinic 2 – Wednesdays
- Dates: July 24, July 31, August 7
- Days/Time: Wednesday 5:30 PM – 7 PM
- Location: The Trailhead (meet at team flags east of the Trailhead)
- Cost: $80
- Rental Bike Add On: $30 (limited stock, rental bike add-on NOT guaranteed)
- Equipment needed: Mountain bike, helmet, and water bottle carrier *must meet guidelines in the Trail Kids MTB Equipment Guide
Mountain Bike Beginner Clinic 2 – Thursdays
- Dates: July 25, August 1, August 8
- Days/Time: Thursday 4 PM – 5:30 PM
- Location: The Trailhead (meet at team flags east of the Trailhead)
- Cost: $80
- Rental Bike Add On: $30 (limited stock, rental bike add-on NOT guaranteed)
- Equipment needed: Mountain bike, helmet, and water bottle carrier *must meet guidelines in the Trail Kids MTB Equipment Guide
Payment & Financial Assistance Information
Ability Guide
Registration based on ability: All participants who attend the program must be able to ride their bikes safely on paved paths. When registering your child make sure to indicate their ability level as described in the Mountain Bike Ability Registration Guide.
Financial Assistance and Sibling Discounts
Financial Assistance: Trail Kids provides financial assistance for those in need, up to 100% of the registration cost. To apply, please fill out our Trail Kids Financial Assistance Application. We will follow up with you with instructions on how to register at a price that is manageable for your family. Applications for programs that start two weeks or less from the date of submission will not be approved.
Sibling Discount: For those families who have three or more kids in the Trail Kids program we will given a fifteen percent discount code. Please email trailkids@loppet.org for more information.
Refund Policy
Program Session Changes: Due to the high demand of our programs we cannot change registered participants into different sessions. Please keep this in mind when you register for our programs!
The Loppet will issue a full refund of the program fee (or rental fee) minus the original processing fee up until 6 weeks before the program starts. Between 6 weeks and 4 weeks from the program start date, a 50% refund will be issued. Between 4 and 3 weeks from the program start date, a 25% refund will be issued. There are no refunds for any cancellations within less than 3 weeks of the start of a program. During the program, if your child has a medical issue that makes it impossible to participate, we will issue a prorated refund minus the processing fee. If the Loppet cancels a program, a full refund will be issued. For instructions on how to request a refund, click here.