FAQ

Following is a list of frequently asked questions grouped by Logistics, Skill Levels, and Equipment. If you find your question answered here, then great. If not, please just send it in to us, so that we can answer it for you personally.

Logistics

• What time does the camp start and where do I meet the group?
  
  With the exception of the Season Finale in September, camps start at 8:30AM at the host shop. If you need directions to the host shop, please feel free to click on their link in the schedule.
• What time does the camp end?
  
  The camp runs from 8:30AM to 8:00PM on the first day, and from 8:30AM to 5:00PM on the second.
  
  If you need to get home and don't think that the 5:00PM finish will allow you to do that, please talk to us in advance so that we can make arrangements to accommodate you.
• What if the camp involves driving from the shop to the skill and riding areas, and I don't have a car?
  
  All you need to do is get yourself to the shop in the morning. We'll arrange carpools with other participants from there.
• Will the camp still go ahead if it’s raining?
  
  Yes, it will. Barring a natural disaster, we will be out there, ready to have a fantastic time. Take it from past participants, once the skill sessions begin, you practically forget it’s even raining. That said, be sure to bring appropriate clothing so that you’re as dry, warm, and comfortable as possible.
• Are the co-ed camps still taught by women?
  
  Yes, they are, with some male coaches added in for good measure. Check out their bios in the Coaches section.
• Do you have any recommendations for lodging on-site?
  
  Yes. We include a list of suggestions in the details for each camp. Just click on the name of a specific camp in the Schedule section. If the information’s not there yet for the particular camp you’re interested in, please trust that it will be soon. We’re working on it as you read.
• Do I have any options if the camp I want to take is already full?
  
  Once a camp fills up, we start a waitlist. Visit the registration page to access it.

Skill Levels

• How do you determine my skill level and decide which group I ride with during the weekend?
  
  We ask you to fill out a skill and interest questionnaire when you first register for the camp. This gives us a good idea of where you're at with your riding, and what you're most excited to learn.
  
  If your skills and interests change significantly between the time you register for the camp and the actual camp date, we give you the opportunity to submit another participant questionnaire as an update.
  
  We use all this information to place you in a group, and ideally, this is the group you'll feel happiest in throughout the camp weekend. If, however, you find that you'd prefer to be riding and learning with a different group, we'll switch things for you. Structured yet flexible.
• Is there a chance I am too much of a beginner for this camp?
  
  Very unlikely. In order to enjoy the camp, all you need to be able to do is ride a bike comfortably on bumpy gravel terrain, shift your gears, and use your brakes. Our step-by-step approach and ultra-encouraging coaches will take it from there … and probably teach you a year’s worth of skills in one weekend.
  
  There is always a great group of beginner riders at every camp, and since we organize all the participants according to ability level and interest, you’ll be in good company. The list of skills you can look forward to learning is long. Here are some to start you off:
  
  A dynamic on-bike body position: neutral position, fore-aft movement and lateral movement.
  
  Front wheel lifts: getting up a curb and over a log with ease.
  
  Technical braking and descents: getting the most out of your brakes, choosing your lines, and making descents of all kinds more than manageable.
  
  Climbing: key techniques to minimize your exertion and maximize your success.
  
  Tight cornering: making your way through switchbacks and twisty spaces.
  
  Straight line riding: all the secrets for narrow trails, bridges, and even teeter-totters if you’re so inclined.
  
  Beginner riders have a fantastic time at our camps. If you’re thinking of attending, you should.
• Will this camp be challenging enough if I’m an advanced rider looking to focus on freeride and downhill skills?
  
  Yes. We literally have a truckload of stunts and related teaching aids that we bring with us to every camp; that means that we can always put together a labyrinth of planks, a-frames, and teeter-totters of varying lengths, and set up wheelie drop and manual ramps at varying heights.
  
  
In addition to working on structures and air, we also cover technical braking for steeps, loose descents, rock faces, and successive rolling drops, and work on additional skills like high speed cornering and bunny hops.

All that said, if you’re at the peak of the pyramid and wanting the most challenging conditions around, click on the name of a specific camp in the Schedule section and pick a camp location that matches your preference. Still have questions: email us and we’ll be happy to help.
• I’m a cross-country rider at heart, but would like to get more comfortable in technical terrain – going down drops, managing steep descents, clearing obstacles. Is this camp for me?
  
  Yes. See above. There are heaps of options in between those two. You’ll fit in perfectly.

Equipment

• What kind of bike do I need to bring?
  
  You need to bring a mountain bike that fits you and is in good working condition, that is to say with gears and brakes working, bolts tightened, and generally in a state that would make your bike mechanic proud.
  
  You'll want to be on a bike that has front suspension; rear suspension is an added bonus. Having a quick release on your seat post is also really useful, as it makes raising and lowering your saddle during the skill sessions and rides that much quicker. If you don't have one already, you might want to consider getting one before camp, or buying one on the first morning.
  
  If you have two bikes at home and are trying to decide between them, bring the one that is best suited to the skills you most want to work on.
  
  That said, if you're planning to bring a downhill bike that is very heavy to ride uphill, you might want to attend one of the camps that that has lift accessed mountain biking as one of the options - Whistler, Fernie, Calgary, or Park City. You could also, of course, consider the heli drop at Mike Wiegele’s in Blue River!.
  
  For more information on the different characteristics of the different camps, click on the name of a specific camp in the Schedule section. For more information on getting your bike ready for the weekend, check out the section titled What to Bring.
• Should I bring my full-face helmet?
  
  Sure, you can bring your full-face helmet for the afternoon rides but you might be more comfortable in a regular helmet for some of the morning skill sessions. If you can bring both, that would be best.
• The “What to Bring” section suggests flat pedals. I ride with clipless pedals all the time, and feel that I won’t ride as well without them as I’m used to being “attached” to my bike. Should I really switch my pedals and shoes for the weekend?
  
  Funny. I had this very same question the first time someone suggested I use flat pedals to learn a new skill.
  
  Basically, if you’re super comfortable with your clipless pedals, so much so that you never have to think about getting in or out, you don’t have to use flats for the course.
  
  However, flats really do make some skills much easier to learn. For example, when learning wheelie drops you want to make sure you can get off the back of your bike quickly, and when learning to ride on elevated planks you want a wider platform under your feet for balance and, again, the opportunity to get off your bike super fast.
  
  On the flip side, flats make technical climbs slightly more difficult and long rides a bit more tiring, as there isn’t the same exact efficiency involved.What we suggest you do is put a pair of flat pedals on your bike, set yourself up with a pair of flat soft-soled shoes, and practice on them a few times before the camp.
  
  Depending on how comfortable you feel, and what skills you most want to learn, you can then decide to: a) use flats for the entire course, b) use them for just the morning skill sessions and switch back to clipless for the afternoon rides, or c) not use them at all.
  
  Note: if you plan to switch pedals at lunchtime, it’s a good idea to bring a pedal wrench with you as well.
• What demo equipment will you have available at the camp?
  
  We’ll have a great selection of Rocky Mountain bikes from both the regular and Ladies Only lines: Element, ETSX, Slayer SXC, Slayer SS and Flatline.
  
  While all bikes are full suspension, the Flatline is classified as downhill / freeride, the Slayer SS as freeride / slopestyle, and Slayer SXC as all-mountain, and the ETSX and Element as cross-country. For more information, excitement and anticipation too, visit www.bikes.com.
  
  All demo bikes will be styled out with Maxxis tires and Fox Racing Shox suspension. In addition, we’ll have crankbrothers flat and clipless pedals available to demo separately, as well as a variety of sizes of Race Face armor.
  
  On top of that, if your coach is wearing or using something you're interested in, just ask and they'll be happy to show it to you, talk to you about it, and give you whatever information you might find helpful.
• How do I go about arranging to use the demo equipment if I’m interested?
  
  Most of the time it works just fine to get to the camp and arrange the use of demo equipment there. However, if there’s a particular bike you’re already sure you’d like to try, you’re welcome to email us in advance and have us reserve it for you for one of the two camp days.
  
  Our policy with regard to all demo equipment is to give as many participants as possible the chance demo once, before giving any one participant the opportunity to demo twice.
  
  In other words, if you use a demo bike on the first day, you’ll be able to use one on the second day only as long as there isn’t someone else who hasn’t yet had the opportunity waiting already “in line”.
  
  Demo equipment is more in demand at some camps than others. If you’d like to get an idea of the chances of your being able to use a bike, armor, or pedals for more than one day, get in touch with us and we’ll see what we can do to help.

See you soon!