• Know your limit, ride within it. To avoid putting any further stress on our medical system as well as avoiding possible exposure, keep in mind risk mitigation while out riding. At this time we highly encourage riding within your limit to prevent any trips to the emergency room.

• Showing up ill. We expect all riders to take it upon themselves to stay home if they are feeling ill. If it appears that you are under the weather you will be asked to go home.

• Hand shakes, high fives, fist bumps or hugs are not permitted. We respect all social distancing rules and while its tempting, any handshakes, high-fives, fist bumps, or hugs are not permitted until restrictions are lifted.

• Be prepared. Sharing tools, equipment and supplies is no longer permitted. You must be self contained if something happens during a ride.  If First Aid is required, our Instructors will have a mask, gloves, hand sanitizer and supplies to keep themselves and our riders safe.

• Avoid large gatherings. All group activities will follow provincial health guidelines and rules to help reduce the spread of the virus while still getting out and enjoying the trails.

• Coughing during a ride. If you need to cough, sneeze or spit, please use a tissue or cough into your elbow or shirt. Use hand sanitizer immediately if soap and water is not available.

• Only travel with people within your own household. When traveling to and from trails. Please park your vehicle with social distancing in mind.

Mountain biking is fun! Kids have a great time getting dirty in the woods. Our camps provide certified instruction in a small groups where kids learn and develop new skills, make new friends, and burn off a LOT of excited energy! In this age of computer screens, video games, iPads and Netflix, kids need to be outside and active more than ever!

Mountain bike camp is a perfect opportunity to develop your child’s interest in a new athletic hobby, the freedom riding and the great outdoors of beautiful Bear Mountain!

Body Position

• • Neutral and Attack Positions

Operation of Controls

• • Braking – Independent use of front(F) and rear(R) brakes

  • Shifting – Gear selection and how to choose the proper gear for riding conditions

Terrain Awareness

• • Choosing different lines through trails with varying terrain

Skills and Maneuvers

• • Cornering

  • Climbing and safely descending hills

  • Riding skinny logs and bridges

  • Front and rear wheel lifts

  • Bunny hops

  • Roll downs and small drops

• Mountain bike in excellent working order. (A tune-up prior to the camp is recommended -the team at Westshore Bikes are awesome!)  If you are unsure if your child’s bike is suitable, please send us an email with a picture of the bike.

• Helmet – properly fitted, mountain bike specific helmet in good condition.

• Cycling gloves – full finger gloves.

• Suitable clothing for riding in current weather conditions.

• Spare tube in case of a flat tire, appropriate size/valve stem.

• Hydration pack or water bottle + cage mounted to bicycle frame.

• Knee pads are absolutely mandatory, elbow pads optional.

We will meet parents and riders at the gravel parking lot across from the Mountain Market at Bear Mountain Resort. This is where you will drop your child off each day for mountain bike camps.

Being located on Vancouver Island in Beautiful British Columbia, we are surrounded by a temperate rainforest. Camps and rides will go ahead in rainy conditions. Please ensure that your child has appropriate outerwear and be ready to pick them up with a little (or a lot of) mud splatter. Bring something to protect the inside of your vehicle!

Riders wishing to participate in intermediate or advanced level should have a bike with a front suspension fork or a full suspension trail bike. Bikes should be equipped with aggressive xc (cross-country) or all-mountain tires.

Some mountain biking experience is highly recommended.

Of course! It’s always extra fun to ride with a friend! We require a signed waiver on the first day of the camp from each participant’s parent/guardian before they are are allowed participate in the camps (no exceptions).

We are a passionate team of cycling instructors who really want to get as many kids out on bikes as we can, so we will do our best to accommodate kids with minor conditions, but our programs may not work for all young riders.

Please email us with specifics of your child’s medical conditions, special needs, dietary restrictions, allergies etc. All of our coaches have First-Aid training.

No. Unfortunately, we do not offer storage for your bike.