Cycling
FALL 2021 ENROLLMENT OPEN NOW
Youth Cycling Programs
The Bend Endurance Academy Cycling Program strives to be at the forefront of youth cycling. Our programs are designed to inspire and fuel the next generation of mountain bikers and focus on developing well-rounded bikers who respect the mountain biking community, the trails, and the outdoors in general. Every program is designed with the idea that at the end of the season our kids have become stronger and better riders while having fun.
Our cycling coaches bring years of teaching or coaching mountain biking as well as other outdoor sports or programs. They all carry a professional and holistic approach to coaching and mentoring youth. We are committed to providing a safe and encouraging place for every single individual to grow as a biker and as a person. We value respect for the sport and the other riders, and a willingness to continually strive for improvement. Our coaches work hard to be the coach that each individual needs on any given day and support our kids in all aspects of their development.
Every cycling program is designed to fit your child’s age, ability, and goal. If you are not sure which one is the best for your child, contact our Cycling Director to discuss options together.
Pick a season
FALL 2021 PROGRAMS
Fall 2021 Tiny Ones – NEW this fall
DESCRIPTION
This program is focused on PLAY/SOCIAL SKILLS and RIDING SKILLS PLAY/SOCIAL SKILLSPlenty of time for free play is offered while we move through the trails. Children can play on boulders and logs, and play with sticks to build forts. We encourage pretend play and everything the younger public needs to build their social skills. RIDING SKILLS- through games and activitiesOur sessions bring emphasis on the following skills:
- Stance and balance, learning to stand up, rolling over small roots and rocks, going downhill with pedals leveled, being relaxed…
- Brakes: when and how to use them.
- Gears (when available): when and how to use them.
- Vision: anticipating and line choices.
The week before the first session, riders are invited to schedule a Meet and Check visit with their coaches. This gives us the opportunity to check our riders bike and gear, as well as their riding ability. It helps get the kids grouped easily before the first ride. It’s also a time to meet our riders and their caregivers personally so they can share any concerns or questions. For safety reasons BEA’s coaches reserve the right to refuse a rider to participate if the bike is unsafe or unrideable. The bike will need to be fixed before starting/returning to the program. For the same reasons, if your child is unable to start his/her bike independently, our coaches may ask you to come back when the skill is mastered. Due to high demand in our younger age programs, NO refund will be allowed once the program starts if your child doesn‘t fit the requirements.
AGE AND SKILLS
This program is designed for PK-K riders only from true beginners* to intermediate riders.In order to participate in the Tiny Ones program, riders need to be able to start their bike on their own* and have a bike with at least one hand brake and mountain bike tires (no slick tires or coaster brakes please). *Visit the How To Choose a Program and Kids Bike set up guidelines modules for more details. Riders are grouped by skills and endurance level after the first session.Kids ride with their coach in little pods of three or up to six kids for two coaches.Note that we try our best to accommodate your requests but our coaches have the best perspective and expertise to offer the optimal experience for your child and the other riders.
INSTRUCTOR RATIO
Instructor to rider ratio is 1:3 to allow for safety, confidence building, and maximum individualized attention to each rider’s physical and emotional needs. Each session is limited to 9 riders only.
SCHEDULE AND LOCATION
Choose between Monday or Thursday sessions, from 3 to 5pm.Riders and their caregivers meet us directly at the trailheads. September sessions start from Phil’s TH (at the bottom of the road past the parking lot) and October sessions start from the Welcome Center off Century drive.Our FALL program runs for five weeks from September 13 to October 11.
- MONDAY Tiny Ones 3-5 PM
Start at Phil’s Trailhead: Sept. 13, Sept. 20, Sept. 27Start at the Welcome Center: October 4, October 11
- THURSDAY Tiny Ones 3-5 PM
Start at Phil’s Trailhead: Sept. 16, Sept. 23, Sept. 30Start at the Welcome Center: Oct 7, Oct 14First session lasts an hour with invitation for Meet and Check, week of September 6 (TBD)
COST $300 (once a week) Payment Plan available with one installment
Fall 2021 Little Ones
DESCRIPTION This program is focused on RIDING SKILLS mostly with still some emphasis on PLAY/SOCIAL SKILLS.RIDING SKILLSOur sessions bring emphasis on the following skills:
- Stance and balance, learning to stand up, rolling over small roots and rocks, going downhill with pedals leveled, being relaxed…
- Brakes and gears: when and how to use them.
- Vision: anticipating and line choices.
- Cornering skills for more advanced riders.
PLAY/SOCIAL SKILLS: Plenty of time for free play is offered while we move through the trails. Children can play on boulders and logs, and play with sticks to build forts. We encourage pretend play and everything the younger public needs to build their social skills.
AGE AND SKILLS
This program is designed for 1st to 3rd grade riders from beginners* to intermediate riders. In order to participate in the Little Ones program, riders* need to be able to start their bike on their own and have a bike with two hand brakes, gears and mountain bike tires (no slick tires please).*Visit the How To Choose a Program and Kids Bike set up guidelines modules for more details. Riders are grouped by skills and endurance level after the first session. Kids ride with their coach in little pods of four or up to eight kids for two coaches.
Note that we try our best to accommodate your requests but our coaches have the best perspective and expertise to offer the optimal experience for your child and the other riders. The week before the first session, riders are invited to schedule a Meet and Check visit with their coaches. This gives us the opportunity to check our riders’ bike and gear, as well as their riding ability. It helps get the kids grouped easily before the first ride. It’s also a time to meet our riders and their caregivers personally so they can share any concerns or questions.
For safety reasons BEA’s coaches reserve the right to refuse a rider to participate if the bike is unsafe or unrideable. The bike will need to be fixed before starting/returning to the program. For the same reasons, if your child is unable to start his/her bike independently, our coaches may ask you to come back when the skill is mastered. Due to high demand in our younger age programs, NO refund will be allowed once the program starts if your child doesn‘t fit the requirements.
INSTRUCTOR RATIO
Instructor to rider ratio is 1:4 to allow for safety, confidence building, and maximum individualized attention to each rider’s physical and emotional needs. Each session is limited to 20 riders max.
SCHEDULE AND LOCATION
Choose between Tuesday or Friday sessions, from 3 to 6pm. Riders and their caregivers meet us directly at the trailheads. September sessions start from Phil’s TH (at the bottom of the road past the parking lot) and October sessions start from the Welcome Center off Century drive.
Our FALL program runs for 5 weeks, from September 14 to October 15 – Plus an hour for Meet and Check, week of September 6 (TBD)
- TUESDAY Little Ones 3-6 PM
Start at Phil’s Trailhead: Sept. 14, Sept. 21, Sept. 28Start at the Welcome Center: October 5, October 12
- FRIDAY Little Ones 3-6 PM
Start at Phil’s Trailhead: Sept. 17, Sept. 24Start at the Welcome Center: October 1, Oct 8, Oct 15
COST
$330 (once a week session) Payment Plan available with one installment
Fall 2021 Youth Mountain Biking
AGE AND SKILLS
Youth Mountain Biking is designed for 4th and 5th graders only.For the recreational riders, from beginners to intermediate. Riders break into smaller groups based on their skills and endurance levels. Instructor to kids is 1:5 to allow for more individualized coaching and confidence building.
DESCRIPTION
Riders and their caregivers meet directly at Trail Heads. September sessions start from Phil’s TH (lower parking lot) while October sessions start from the Welcome Center off Century Drive. Each session balances a mix of fun rides, building endurance, and skill practice with an emphasis on the following skills from less experienced to more experienced riders:
- Position and balance: stability, balancing through a range of movements
- Operation of controls: gears and brakes
- Terrain awareness: trail scanning, line choice, decision making, anticipation
- Direction control: leaning the bike, rotational body movements
- Pressure control
In order to participate in Youth MTB, riders need to have a mountain bike with two hand-brakes, gears and mountain bike tires (no slick tires).Visit the How To Choose a Program and Kids Bike set up guidelines modules for more details.
For safety reasons and respect for the other riders, BEA’s coaches reserve the right to send a rider home if the bike is unsafe or unrideable. The bike will need to be fixed prior to return to the program.
SCHEDULE
Each session runs for three hours from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM Monday and/or Friday from September 13 to Oct 15, 2021
You can register your rider for one Youth MTB session per week or twice a week (register separately).
MONDAY SESSIONS (Five-week program) From Phil’s Trailhead: September 13, Sep. 20, Sept. 27From Welcome Center: October 4, Oct. 11
FRIDAY SESSIONS (Five-week program) From Phil’s Trailhead: Sept. 17, Sept. 24From Welcome Center: October 1, Oct 8, Oct 15
REGISTRATION and COST
Fall program- five sessions Youth MTB: $270
Payment Plan available with one installment
Fall 2021 Junior Mountain Biking
AGE and SKILLS
Junior Mountain Biking is for Middle School and High School riders.For recreational riders, from beginner to advanced. Riders are grouped according to skill and endurance levels to focus on further progression.
DESCRIPTION
Instructor to rider ratio is 1:6 Each session balances a mix of fun rides, building endurance and skill practice with an emphasis on the following skills from less experienced to more experienced riders:
- Position and balance: stability, balancing through a range of movements
- Operation of controls: gears and brakes, when, where, and how
- Terrain awareness: trail scanning, line choice, decision making, anticipation
- Direction control: leaning the bike, rotational body movements
- Pressure control
A mountain bike is needed to participate in the program; hardtails or full suspension. The riders are responsible to bring their own bike and gear (helmet, knee pads, backpack, etc…). The bike must be in perfect riding condition.
For safety reasons and respect for the other riders, BEA’s coaches reserve the right to refuse a rider to participate if the bike is unsafe or unrideable. The bike will need to be fixed before starting or returning to the program.Visit the How To Choose a Program and Kids Bike set up guidelines modules for more details.
SCHEDULE and LOCATION
Riders meet directly at Trail Heads. September sessions start from Phil’s TH (lower parking lot) while October sessions start from the Welcome Center off Century Drive. Wednesday 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM From Phil’s Trailhead: September 15, Sept. 22, Sept. 29From the Welcome Center: October 6, October 13
REGISTRATION
Five-week program Junior MTB: $200.
Fall 2021 Enduro/Downhill Sessions
AGE AND SKILLS
For 4th grade to high school riders with intermediate to advanced skills only. Absolutely NO beginners please (Youth MTB and Junior MTB are more appropriate programs for beginners).We exceptionally allow little shredders from 3rd grade to join with invitation or referral. Please contact Virginie directly at 503-914 7616 or virginie@BendEnduranceAcademy.org to discuss your child’s riding skills and experience and/or set up an evaluation time if necessary. Visit How to Choose a Program for more information. We regroup riders by age and ability with a coach/riders ratio of 1:5 (1:6 with the older group).
DESCRIPTION
This program is for the kids who are attracted by gravity and enjoy riding downhill more than pedaling up. The first four sessions will be at Mt Bachelor Bike Park. Our 4 hours sessions allow us to shuttle two to three times for the last two rides of the Fall program. Trails include but are not limited to Flagline, Funner, Tiddlywinks, Taylor’s Traverse, South Fork, Mrazek, Whoops… This program is limited to 22 riders.While each session is about having fun and making friends who share the same passion, it is also about learning better downhill-specific skills and maneuvers involving body position, cornering, dropping, jumping, etc…Full suspension bikes are highly recommended for this program although not mandatory.The riders are responsible to bring their own bike and gear (full face helmets and knee pads are mandatory for the bike park, etc…). The bike must be in perfect riding condition.
For safety reasons and respect for the other riders, BEA’s coaches reserve the right to refuse a rider to participate in a session if the bike is unsafe or unrideable. The bike will need to be fixed before starting/returning to the program.
SCHEDULE and MEETING LOCATION
We meet in the parking lot of the Best Western Peppertree and shuttle our riders in our Bend Endurance Academy vans.Six-Week program From September 8 to October 13, 3-7pm
Wednesday Sept. 8, Sept. 15, Sept. 22 and Sept. 29
- Enduro practice: Wednesday Oct.6 and Oct 13
REGISTRATION and COST
Wednesday Enduro/DH $385 (6 sessions)
Enduro/DH Racing Team Fall 2021
AGE AND SKILLS
For 4th grade to 12 grade riders with intermediate to advanced skills only. Absolutely NO beginners please (Youth MTB and Junior MTB are more appropriate programs for beginners). No racing experience is necessary. We regroup riders by age and ability with a coach/riders ratio of 1:5 (1:6 with the older group). We exceptionally allow little shredders from 3rd grade to join with invitation or referral. Please contact Virginie directly at 503-914 7616 or virginie@BendEnduranceAcademy.org to discuss your child’s riding skills and experience and/or set up an evaluation time if necessary.
DESCRIPTION
After a Summer of fun races with the Mt Bachelor series, we are kicking off our official racing team this fall! We are pretty excited to get our shredders trying and getting more involved with racing! Riders joining our BEA Enduro/DH Racing Team are invited to race Enduro this fall (not a ton of choice is offered with DH this fall, and the only possible race with NW CUP is in conflict with Fulltilt’s dates). Our Team is limited to 22 riders. Each session is about having fun, getting better and faster, and riding and racing with friends who share the same passion. Each session has a mixed focus on downhill specific skills involving body position, cornering, dropping, jumping, racing specific (line choices, race strategy, sprint, rules, etc…) and endurance building. Full suspension bikes are highly recommended for this program although not mandatory.
The riders are responsible to bring their own bike and gear (full face helmets are mandatory for riding in any bike park, knee pads, goggles, chest protector, etc…). The bike must be in perfect riding condition.
For safety reasons and respect for the other riders, BEA’s coaches reserve the right to refuse a rider to participate in a session if the bike is unsafe or unrideable. The bike will need to be fixed before starting or returning to the program.
Fall program offers two-day per week rides. We are offering Thursday-Saturday sessions. If your child cannot race both Fall races, they are still welcome to ride with the Team at the venues. We are providing onsite coaching for the following race series (included in registration’s price):
SCHEDULE and MEETING LOCATION
We meet in the parking lot of the Best Western Peppertree and shuttle our riders in our Bend Endurance Academy vans.
6 Week program, from September 7 to October 17.Most September riding/training sessions are held at Mt Bachelor Bike Park. All October sessions on trails. Trails include but are not limited to Funner, Tiddlywinks, Flagline, Taylor’s Traverse, South Fork, Mrazek, Whoops…
THURSDAY & SATURDAY sessions
Thursday, 4-6:30pm
- Downhill practice @Mt Bachelor Bike Park: Sept. 9 (back at 7PM)
- Enduro practice: Sept. 16, Sept 23, Sept. 30, October 7 and Oct. 14
Saturday, 9:30am-2:30pm (schedule may slightly vary depending on the destination)
- Downhill practice @Mt Bachelor Bike Park (depending on Park closure) Sept. 18 and Sept. 25
- Enduro practice: October 2 and Oct. 9
- Races: September 10-11 and October 17-18
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REGISTRATION and COST
Choose between Tuesday-Saturday and Thursday-Saturday sessions.The cost of registration does NOT include the Bike Park Tickets. Riders are responsible to bring their own Season Pass or buy a Triple Ticket (plus one day ticket) directly from Mt Bachelor’s website.
- Thursday-Saturday $720
- Full Support $270/race (two-day support)
*Registration includes coaching at races but Full Support is not included in the Tuesday-Saturday or Thursday-Saturday sessions.We ask all our team racers to purchase a BEA Team kit (jersey and pants).
Fall’21 Jumping- NEW this fall
AGE AND SKILLS
For 4th grade to high school riders with intermediate to advanced mountain biking skills only. Absolutely NO beginners please (Youth MTB and Junior MTB are more appropriate programs for beginners).Visit How to Choose a Program for more information. We exceptionally allow little shredders from 3rd grade to join with invitation or referral. Please contact Virginie directly at 503-914 7616 or virginie@BendEnduranceAcademy.org to discuss your child’s riding skills and experience and/or set up an evaluation time if necessary.
DESCRIPTION
NEW this season, we are excited to introduce our Jumping program. This program is for the kids who are always trying to boost their airtime from any uneven features and love sessioning jumps! Under the supervision and instruction of our coaches, your kid can learn better jump skills in a safer environment. The first two sessions, riders spend their instruction time at the Redmond Pumptrack (riders meet in the parking lot of the Best Western Peppertree and ride BEA’s van).The next four sessions, riders meet directly at The Lair.
Our coach/riders ratio is 1:6.
While each session is about having fun and making friends who share the same passion, it is also about learning better jumping specific skills, to jump better and more safely.The riders are responsible to bring their own bike and gear (full face helmets are HIGHLY recommended for the Lair, knee pads and elbow pads too). Dirt Jumpers are a plus but not necessary for this program; BMX or mountain bikes are acceptable.The bike must be in perfect riding condition. For safety reasons and respect for the other riders, BEA’s coaches reserve the right to refuse a rider to participate if the bike is unsafe or unrideable. The bike will need to be fixed before starting or returning to the program.
SCHEDULE and MEETING LOCATION
For the First two sessions, we meet in the parking lot of the Best Western Peppertree and shuttle our riders in our Bend Endurance Academy vans to the Redmond pumptrack.
6 Week program – Wednesday 3-6pm
From September 8 to October 13.
- Wednesday Sept. 8 and Sept. 15 meet at Best Western Parking Lot
- Wednesday Sept. 22, Sept. 29, Oct.6 and Oct 13 meet at The Lair
REGISTRATION and COST
$290 (6 sessions)Our fall program is limited to 12 riders.
Fall 2021 Girls Mountain Biking
AGE AND SKILLS
For girls from 4th grade and above. For recreational riders, all levels are welcome. Riders are grouped by age, skills, fitness and experience.
DESCRIPTION
Riding with other female riders can be pretty powerful and less intimidating! These sessions are organized for girls and by women only! Bring a friend with you and make plenty of new ones!September rides start from Phil’s Trailhead while October rides start from the Welcome Center off Century Drive. Our instructor to kids ratio is 1:5 to allow our instructors to offer the best-individualized approach in our training. Each session balances a mix of fun riding, building endurance, and skill practice with an emphasis on the following skills from less experienced to more experienced riders:
- Position and balance: stability, balancing through a range of movements
- Operation of controls: gears and brakes
- Terrain awareness: trail scanning, line choice, decision making, anticipation
- Direction control: leaning the bike, rotational body movements
- Pressure control
A mountain bike is needed to participate in the program, hardtails or full suspension. The riders are responsible to bring their own bike and gear (helmet, knee pads, backpack, etc…). The bike must be in perfect riding condition. For safety reasons and respect for the other riders, BEA’s coaches reserve the right to refuse a rider to participate in a session if the bike is unsafe or unrideable. The bike will need to be fixed before starting or returning to the program.Visit How to Choose a Program for more details.
SCHEDULE and MEETING LOCATIONS
Five week program. 3 PM to 6 PM each Wednesday from September 15 to October 13
- September 15, Sept. 22, Sept. 29 @Phil’s Trail Head
- October 6, Oct. 13 @the Welcome Center
REGISTRATION
Fall Girls MTB $300
Payment Plan available with one installment.
Fall 2021 Women Rides
AGE and SKILLS
These sessions are for women 18 and older, from true beginners to advanced riders.Our riders are divided into smaller groups for better experience, depending on their skills, fitness level and goal.
DESCRIPTION
If you want to know more about Bend’s trail system, or want to learn some new skills or work on specific trails features, or just want to ride with other rad women, we are adapting our sessions to your goals.Our rides/sessions are guided/coached by our women coaches only with a ratio of 1:8.Each ride starts from a different location around town to be determined depending on the group level. Riders meet directly at trail heads.
SCHEDULE
We offer an afternoon session on Tuesday as well as a late morning session on Thursday.
- TUESDAY sessions from 3 PM to 6 PM
September 14, Sept 21, Sept 28, Oct 5 and Oct 12
- THURSDAY sessions from 10 AM to 1 PM
Sept 16, Sept 23, Sept 30, Oct 7 and Oct 14
REGISTRATION and COST
$200 for five Fall sessions
Homeschool Fall 2021 Little Ones – New
DESCRIPTION
This program is focused on RIDING SKILLS mostly with still some emphasis on PLAY/SOCIAL SKILLS.
RIDING SKILLS
Our sessions bring emphasis on the following skills:
- Stance and balance, learning to stand up, rolling over small roots and rocks, going downhill with pedals leveled, being relaxed…
- Brakes and gears: when and how to use them.
- Vision: anticipating and line choices.
- Cornering skills for more advanced riders.
PLAY/SOCIAL SKILLS
Plenty of time for free play is offered while we move through the trails. We encourage pretend play and everything the younger public needs to build their social skills.
AGE AND SKILLS
This program is designed for 6 to 9 years old riders from beginners* to intermediate riders. In order to participate in the Homeschool Little Ones program, riders* need to be able to start their bike on their own and have a bike with two hand brakes, gears and mountain bike tires (no slick tires please).
Visit How To Choose a Program and Kids Bike set up guidelines for more details.
Riders are grouped by skills and endurance level after the first session.
Kids ride with their coach in little pods of five or up to ten kids for two coaches.
Note that we try our best to accommodate your requests but our coaches have the best perspective and expertise to offer the optimal experience for your child and the other riders.
For safety reasons BEA’s coaches reserve the right to refuse a rider to participate if the bike is unsafe or unrideable. The bike will need to be fixed before starting/returning to the program. For the same reasons, if your child is unable to start his/her bike independently, our coaches may ask you to come back when the skill is mastered.
INSTRUCTOR RATIO
Instructor to rider ratio is 1:5 to allow for safety, confidence building, and maximum individualized attention to each rider’s physical and emotional needs.
Each session is limited to 10 riders max.
SCHEDULE AND LOCATION
Homeschool Little Ones sessions run on Wednesday from 9am to 11am.
Riders and their caregivers meet us directly at the trailheads. September sessions start from Phil’s TH (at the bottom of the road past the parking lot) and October sessions start from the Welcome Center off Century drive.
Our FALL program runs for 5 weeks, from September 15 to October 13.
- Homeschool Little Ones 9-11AM
Start at Phil’s Trailhead: Sept. 15, Sept. 22, Sept. 29
Start at the Welcome Center: October 6, October 13
COST $150 Please register through THIS LINK
Homeschool Fall 2021 Youth Mountain Biking- NEW
AGE AND SKILLS
Homeschool Youth Mountain Biking is designed for 10 years old and older.
For the recreational riders, from beginners to intermediate. Riders break into smaller groups based on their skills and endurance levels.
Instructor to kids ratio is 1:5 to allow for more individualized coaching and confidence building.
DESCRIPTION
Riders and their caregivers meet directly at Trail Heads.
September sessions start from Phil’s TH (lower parking lot) while October sessions start from the Welcome Center off Century Drive.
Each session balances a mix of fun rides, building endurance, and skill practice with an emphasis on the following skills from less experienced to more experienced riders:
- Position and balance: stability, balancing through a range of motion
- Operation control: gears and brakes
- Terrain awareness: trail scanning, line choice, decision making, anticipation
- Direction control: leaning the bike, rotational body movements
- Pressure control
In order to participate in Homeschool Youth MTB, riders need to have a mountain bike with two hand-brakes, gears and mountain bike tires (no slick tires).
Check How to Choose a program and Kids Bike set up guidelines for more details.
For safety reasons and respect for the other riders, BEA’s coaches reserve the right to send a rider home if the bike is unsafe or unrideable. The bike will need to be fixed prior to return to the program.
SCHEDULE
Each session runs for two hours from 9am to 11am from September 15 to October 13.
WEDNESDAY SESSIONS (Five-week program)
From Phil’s Trailhead: Sept. 15, Sept. 22, Sept. 29.
From the Welcome Center: October 6, Oct 13
REGISTRATION and COST
Fall program- five sessions Homeschool Youth MTB: $150
SUMMER 2021 PROGRAMS
Little Ones Ride – Summer 2021
DESCRIPTIONThis program is focused on PLAY/SOCIAL SKILLS and RIDING SKILLS.PLAY/SOCIAL SKILLSPlenty of time for free play is offered while we move through the trails. Children can play on boulders and logs, play with sticks to build forts,… We encourage pretend play to help our younger public build their social skills. RIDING SKILLSOur sessions bring emphasis on the following skills:
- Stance and balance, learning to stand up, rolling over small roots and rocks, going downhill with pedals leveled…
- Brakes and gears: when and how to use them.
- Vision: anticipating and line choices.
- Cornering skills for more advanced riders.
AGE AND SKILLSThis program is designed for our younger riders, ages 4* to 8, from beginners to intermediate riders.Riders are grouped by age for better focus, age-appropriate activities, and terrain choices, with 4 years old together, 5-6 years old together and 7-8 years old together. Within the age groups, depending on the rider’s experience and skills, kids ride with their coach in little pods of four or up to eight kids for two coaches.Note that we try our best to accommodate your requests but our coaches have the best perspective and expertise to offer the optimal experience for your child and the other riders. INSTRUCTOR RATIOInstructor to rider ratio is 1:4 to allow for safety, confidence building, and maximum individualized attention to each rider’s physical and emotional needs.Each session is limited to 24 riders max.GEAR
- For 4 years old we recommend 12” wheels or larger with at least one hand break (no coaster brake). No training wheels or pushbikes please.
- For ages 5 to 7 we recommend 16” wheels or larger with at least one hand break (no coaster brake).
- For ages 7 and 8 we recommend 20″ wheels or larger, two hand brakes. Gears are recommended but not mandatory. No slick tires.
SCHEDULE AND LOCATION9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
*We offer two-day camps (Monday/Tuesday) for 4 to 8 years old OR five-day camps (Monday to Friday) for 5 to 8 years old only. *
- Monday and Tuesday rides meet directly at Phil’s TH (at the bottom of the road past the parking lot).
- Wednesday and Thursday rides meet at the Welcome Center off Cascade Lakes Highway.
- Friday rides start from the Wanoga Snow-Play Area off Century drive.
Two-Day Camps:
- June 21-22
- June 28-29
- July 12-13
- July 26-27
- August 9-10
- August 23-24
Five-Day Camps:
- June 28-July 2
- July 12-16
- July 26-30
- August 9-13
- August 23-27
COST
- Two-Day camp $160
- Five-Day camp $400
Little Ones Ride – Spring 2021
DESCRIPTIONThis program is focused on PLAY/SOCIAL SKILLS and RIDING SKILLS.
PLAY/SOCIAL SKILLS
- Plenty of time for free play is offered while we move through the trails.
- Children can play on boulders and logs, play with sticks to build forts. We encourage pretend play and everything the younger public needs to build their social skills.
RIDING SKILLS
Our sessions bring emphasis on the following skills:
- Stance and balance, learning to stand up, rolling over small roots and rocks, going downhill with pedals leveled…
- Brakes and gears: when and how to use them.
- Vision: anticipating and line choices.
- Cornering skills for more advanced riders.
AGE AND SKILLSThis program is designed for our younger riders, ages 5 to 8, from absolute beginners to intermediate riders.Riders are grouped by age for better focus, age-appropriate activities, and terrain choices, with 5-6 years old together and 7-8 years old together.Within the age groups, depending on the rider’s experience and skills, kids ride with their coach in little pods of four or up to 8 kids for two coaches.Note that we try our best to accommodate your requests but our coaches have the best perspective and expertise to offer the optimal experience for your child and the other riders.INSTRUCTOR RATIOInstructor to rider ratio is 1:4 to allow for safety, confidence building, and maximum individualized attention to each rider’s physical and emotional needs.Each session is limited to 20 riders max.ScheduleRiders and their caregivers meet us directly at the trailheads. March/April sessions start from Phil’s TH (at the bottom of the road past the parking lot) and May/June sessions start from the Welcome Center off Century drive.Our SPRING program runs for 10 weeks, from March 30th to June 4th.
- Tuesdays
- Phil’s Trailhead: March 30, April 6, April 13, April 20, April 27
- Welcome Center: May 4, May 11, May 18, May 25, June 1
- 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM
- Wednesdays
- Phil’s Trailhead: March 31, April 7, April 14, April 21, April 28
- Welcome Center: May 5, May 12, May 19, May 26, June 2
- 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Fridays
- Phil’s Trailhead: April 2, April 9, April 16, April 23, April 30
- Welcome Center: May 7, May 14, May 21, May 28, June 4
- 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM
COSTThe cost is $500 for one session per week (10 sessions in total).
Youth Mountain Bike Team Rides – Summer 2021
AGE AND SKILLSFor riders age 9 and older.For recreational riders, from intermediate to advanced. NO beginners please. DESCRIPTIONRiders are grouped according to age, skill and endurance levels to move better as a group. Instructor to rider ratio is 1:5 to keep safety our first priority and offer the best-individualized approach in our rides. Transitioning from our spring training sessions, our Youth and Junior Rides allow us to spend the whole day together and discover different trails away from the city. We shuttle our riders to a different trailhead through the summer. Some of the rides include Flagline, Tiddlywinks, Tyler’s Traverse, Mrazek, McKenzie River, Metolius Windigo, etc…Due to Covid-19 measures, we are limiting the number of riders to 8 per van. Face masks are mandatory for everyone while riding in our vans. The Youth and Junior Rides are limited to 16 riders in total. SCHEDULE9:00 AM- 3:00 PM or 4:00 PM (varies from day to day depending of the destination)
Riders meet at the parking lot of the Best Western Peppertree.COST
- $90/day
- *$100 for the McKenzie River Trail Ride
Youth-Junior Summer Team
AGE and SKILLSFor riders age 9 and older.For recreational riders, from beginners to advanced riders. DESCRIPTIONRiders are grouped according to age, skills and endurance levels to move better as a group. Instructor to rider ratio is 1:5 to keep safety our first priority and offer the best-individualized approach in our rides. Following our spring training sessions, the Youth-Junior Summer Team will meet once a week for a riding/skills practice session. In order to discover different trails away from the city, the riders are being driven to a different location every week. Due to Covid-19 measures, we are limiting the number of riders to 8 per van. Face masks are mandatory for everyone while riding in our vans. The Youth-Junior Summer Team is limited to 16 riders in total. SCHEDULE and LOCATIONTuesdays 3PM – 6:30PM June 22 to August 31Riders meet on the parking lot of the Best Western Peppertree.REGISTRATION$440
Team Youth Mountain Bike – Spring 2021
AGE AND SKILLSTeam Youth is designed for riders ages 9 to 11.Whether your child is an absolute beginner or an avid rider, Team Youth offers possibilities for all. Riders break into smaller groups based on their skills and endurance levels.The ratio of instructor to kids is 1:5 to allow for more individualized coaching and confidence building.DESCRIPTIONRiders and their caregivers meet directly at Trail Heads.March/April sessions start from Phil’s TH (lower parking lot) while May/June sessions start from the Welcome Center off of Century Drive.Each session balances a mix of fun rides, building endurance and skill practice with an emphasis on the following skills from less experienced to more experienced riders:
- Position and balance: stability, balancing through a range of movements
- Operation of controls: gears and brakes
- Terrain awareness: trail scanning, line choice, decision making
- Direction control: leaning the bike, rotational body movements
- Pressure control
SCHEDULEYou can register your rider for one Team Youth session per week or twice, or/and add specific sessions like Team Enduro/Downhill or Team Girls. See details for each of these specific programs separately.
- Monday Sessions
- From Phil’s Trailhead: March 29, April 5, April 12, April 19, April 26
- From Welcome Center: May 3, May 10, May 17, May 24
- 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM
- Thursday Sessions
- From Phil’s Trailhead: April 1, April 8, April 15, April 22, April 29
- From Welcome Center: May 6, May 13, May 20, May 27, June 3
- 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM
COST
- Monday Team Youth, 9 weeks: $337
- Thursday Team Youth, 10 weeks: $375Receive a 10% discount when signing for two or more sessions.
Junior Mountain Bike Team Rides – Summer 2021
AGE AND SKILLSFor riders age 12and older.For recreational riders, from intermediate to advanced. NO beginners please. DESCRIPTIONRiders are grouped according to age, skill and endurance levels to move better as a group. Instructor to rider ratio is 1:5 to keep safety our first priority and offer the best-individualized approach in our rides. Transitioning from our spring training sessions, our Youth and Junior Rides allow us to spend the whole day together and discover different trails away from the city. We shuttle our riders to a different trailhead through the summer. Some of the rides include Flagline, Tiddlywinks, Tyler’s Traverse, Mrazek, McKenzie River, Metolius Windigo, etc…Due to Covid-19 measures, we are limiting the number of riders to 8 per van. Face masks are mandatory for everyone while riding in our vans. The Youth and Junior Rides are limited to 16 riders in total. SCHEDULE9:00 AM- 3:00 PM or 4:00 PM (varies from day to day depending of the destination)
Riders meet at the parking lot of the Best Western Peppertree.COST
- $90/day
- *$100 for the McKenzie River Trail Ride
Youth-Junior Summer Team
AGE and SKILLSFor riders age 9 and older.For recreational riders, from beginners to advanced riders. DESCRIPTIONRiders are grouped according to age, skills and endurance levels to move better as a group. Instructor to rider ratio is 1:5 to keep safety our first priority and offer the best-individualized approach in our rides. Following our spring training sessions, the Youth-Junior Summer Team will meet once a week for a riding/skills practice session. In order to discover different trails away from the city, the riders are being driven to a different location every week. Due to Covid-19 measures, we are limiting the number of riders to 8 per van. Face masks are mandatory for everyone while riding in our vans. The Youth-Junior Summer Team is limited to 16 riders in total. SCHEDULE and LOCATIONTuesdays 3PM – 6:30PM June 22 to August 31Riders meet on the parking lot of the Best Western Peppertree.REGISTRATION$440
Junior Mountain Bike Teams – Spring 2021
AGE AND SKILLSTeam Junior is for Middle schoolers and High schoolers, age 12 and older.For beginner, intermediate & avid riders.DESCRIPTIONRiders are grouped according to skill and endurance levels to focus on further progression.Instructor to rider ratio is 1:6 to allow instructors to provide more individualized instruction/coaching.Each session balances a mix of fun rides, building endurance and skill practice with an emphasis on the following skills from less experienced to more experienced riders:
- Position and balance: stability, balancing through a range of movements
- Operation of controls: gears and brakes, when, where, and how
- Terrain awareness: trail scanning, line choices, decision making
- Direction control: leaning the bike, rotational body movements
- Pressure control
SCHEDULERiders meet directly at Trail Heads.March/April sessions start from Phil’s TH (lower parking lot) while May/June sessions start from the Welcome Center off of Century Drive. We also offer one or two shuttle rides for more trail options.Register for one Team Junior session per week or two, and/or add specific sessions, i.e. Team Enduro/DH or Team Girls. See details for each of these programs separately.
- Tuesday Sessions
- From Phil’s Trailhead: March 30, April 6, April 13, April 20, April 27
- From the Welcome Center: May 4, May 11, May 18, May 25, June 1
- 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM
- Friday Sessions
- From Phil’s Trailhead: April 2, April 9, April 16, April 23, April 30
- From the Welcome Center: May 7, May 14, May 21, May 28, June 4
- 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM
COSTOne session/week: $315.Receive a 10% discount when signing for a second session.
Girls Rides – Summer 2021
AGE AND SKILLSFor girls 9 to 18 years old. For intermediate to advanced riders, NO beginners please. Riders may be grouped by age, endurance, and skills if necessary. DESCRIPTIONRiding with other female riders can be pretty powerful and less intimidating! These rides are organized for girls and by women only! Bring a friend with you and make plenty of new ones! Transitioning from our spring training sessions, our Girls Rides allow us to spend the whole day together and discover different trails away from the city. We shuttle our riders to a different trailhead through the summer. Some of the rides include Flagline, Tiddlywinks, Tyler’s Traverse, Mrazek, McKenzie River, Metolius Windigo, etc…Our instructor to kids ratio is 1:5 to keep our promise of safety first and to allow our instructors to offer the best-individualized approach in our rides. Due to Covid-19 measures, we are limiting the number of riders to 8 per van. Face masks are mandatory for everyone while riding in our vans. The Girls Rides are limited to 16 riders in total. SCHEDULE and MEETING LOCATIONS9:00 AM – 3:00 PM or 4:00 PM (will vary depending of the destination)*9:00 AM- 6:00 PM on August 10
Riders meet at the parking lot of the Best Western Peppertree.Cost$90/day*$100 for Mckenzie River Ride
Girls Ride Team – Spring 2021
AGE AND SKILLSFor girls 9 to 18 years old. For recreational riders, all levels are welcome. Riders may be grouped by age and experience if necessary. DESCRIPTIONTraining with other female riders can be pretty powerful and less intimidating! These sessions are organized for girls and by women only! Bring a friend with you and make plenty of new ones!April rides start from Phil’s Trailhead while May/June rides start from the Welcome Center off Century Drive. We also offer one or two shuttle rides for more trail options. Due to Covid-19 measures, we are limiting the number of riders to 8 per van. Face masks are mandatory for everyone while riding in our vans. The Team Girls session is limited to 16 riders in total.Our instructor to kids ratio is 1:5 to allow our instructors to offer the best-individualized approach in our training. Each session balances a mix of fun riding, building endurance and skill practice with an emphasis on the following skills from less experienced to more experienced riders:
- Position and balance: stability, balancing through a range of movements
- Operation of controls: gears and brakes
- Terrain awareness: trail scanning, line choices, decision making
- Direction control: leaning the bike, rotational body movements
- Pressure control
SCHEDULE
- From Phil’s Trail: April 1, April 8, April 15, April 22, April 29
- From the Welcome Center: May 6, May 13, May 20, May 27, June 3
- 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM
COSTThe cost for 10 sessions is $315.
Enduro & Downhill Camps Summer 2021
AGE AND SKILLSFor riders aged 9 to 18 with intermediate to advanced skills only. No beginners please.Riders are grouped by age and ability. We exceptionally allow little shredders 8 years old to join with invitation or referral. Please contact Virginie directly at 503-914 7616 or virginie@BendEnduranceAcademy.org to discuss your child’s riding skills and experience and/or set up an evaluation time if necessary.DESCRIPTIONThis camp is for the kids who are attracted by gravity and enjoy more riding downhill than pedaling up. We are shuttling our riders on average twice a day. Summer camps allow us to discover trails farther away from town. Trails include but are not limited to Funner, Tiddlywinks, Taylor’s Traverse, South Fork, Mrazek, King Castle…with a midweek day at Mt Bachelor Bike Park. Due to Covid-19 measures, we are limiting the number of riders to 8 per van, with face masks mandatory for everyone inside the vans. Each camp is limited to 16 riders total with a ratio of 6 riders maximum per coach.While each day is about having fun and making friends who share the same passion, it is also about learning better downhill-specific skills involving body position, cornering, dropping, jumping, line choices, etc…GEAR
- We highly recommend riders to have a full-suspension bike.
- Riders need to come with a helmet. Gloves, elbow and knee pads are a plus.
- Full face helmets and knee pads are mandatory for the day at Mt Bachelor Bike Park (we do have elbow and knee pads to borrow if needed). You can rent a full face helmet for this day.
- Eye protection in the form of goggles or glasses are recommended.
SCHEDULE and MEETING LOCATIONOur Enduro/DH camps run from 9 AM to 4 PM.We meet in the parking lot of the Best Western Peppertree and shuttle our riders in our Bend Endurance Academy vans.
- July 5-9
- July 19-23
- August 2-6
- August 16-20
- August 30-September 3
COST$450 (if your child has a season Bike Pass at Mt Bachelor)$485 (if your child doesn’t have a season Bike Pass at Mt Bachelor)
Enduro & Downhill Teams – Spring 2021
AGE AND SKILLSFor riders aged 9 to 18 with intermediate to advanced skills only. No absolute beginners please (Team Youth and Junior are more appropriate for beginners).Riders are grouped by age and ability.We occasionally allow little shredders 8 years old to join with invitation or referral. Please contact Virginie directly at 503-914 7616 or virginie@BendEnduranceAcademy.org to discuss your child’s riding skills and experience and/or set up an evaluation time if necessary.DESCRIPTIONThis session is for the kids who are attracted by gravity and enjoy more riding downhill than pedaling up, or in one word, shredders! Trails include but are not limited to Funner, Tiddlywinks, Tyler’s Traverse, South Fork, Mrazek,…Due to Covid-19 measures, we are limiting the number of riders to 8 per van, with face masks mandatory for everyone inside the vans. Each session is limited to 16 riders total with a ratio of 6 riders maximum per coach.You can choose one or two sessions per week, ½ Day, or Full Day on Wednesday.While each session is about having fun and making friends who share the same passion, it is also about learning better downhill-specific skills involving body position, cornering, dropping, jumping, line choices, etc…SCHEDULE We meet in the parking lot of the Best Western Peppertree and shuttle our riders in our Bend Endurance Academy vans.9 Week program for Monday10 Week program for Wednesday.From March 29th to June 2nd.
- Monday: 4:00 – 6:30 PM
March 29, April 5, April 12, April 19, April 26, May 3, May 10, May 17, May 24, June 1 (No practice on Memorial Day)
- All Day Wednesday: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
March 31, April 7, April 14, April 21, April 28, May 5, May 12, May 19, May 26, June 2.
- Half-Day Wednesday afternoon: 3:00 – 6:00 PM
March 31, April 7, April 14, April 21, April 28, May 5, May 12, May 19, May 26, June 2.COST
- Monday Team Enduro/DH: $300 (9 sessions total)
- Half-Day Wednesday Team Enduro/DH: $375 (10 sessions)
- Full-Day WednesdayTeam Enduro/DH: $700 (10 sessions)
CONSIDERING RACING?Riders joining our Team Enduro/DH can also choose to race with BEA this spring and summer.
- Downhill racing NW CUP series.
- Downhill racing with Full Tilt.
- Downhill summer series at Mt Bachelor
- Enduro with Cascadia Dirt Cup.See the 2021 Racing with BEA page for more details.
Multi Activities Camps – Summer 2021
DESCRIPTIONOur Multi-Activities camps are targeting kids who want to enjoy different kinds of experiences and activities in beautiful Central Oregon outdoors! Our camp lasts three days only, but three intense days!
- DAY ONE: mountain biking in the morning and climbing (outdoor) in the afternoon.
- DAY TWO: mountain biking in the morning and rafting in the afternoon (DESCHUTES River).
- DAY THREE: hiking in the morning and SUP at Elk Lake in the afternoon.
Due to Covid-19 measures, we allow only 8 kids per van. Masks are mandatory while driving.Our instructor/camper ratio doesn’t exceed 1:6.AGE and SKILLSFor kids age 8 and older.No experience necessary in climbing, SUP or Rafting. No absolute beginner bikers.Riders cover 11 miles of mountain bike specific trails on the first day, and 15 miles on the second day.GEARYour child needs a bike, a helmet and a bike pack. All other gears will be lended.SCHEDULE and LOCATIONWednesday to Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM.Meeting at the Best Western Peppertree’s parking lot.
- June 23-25
- June 30- July 2
- July 14-16
- July 28- 30
- August 11-13
- August 25-27
COST: $330
SPRING 2022 COMING SOON
How to choose a program
Many factors influence which programs are best for your child.Age, Ability & ExperienceAge limits do not define ability but they keep riders in appropriate social settings with their peers. Please respect the age limits when you enroll. Start in a slower group or easier program to learn the basics. This fixes “gaps” in skills and promotes faster learning and means more fun and safety for everyone!
- Tiny Ones: PK-K, all levels are welcome but need to be able to start their bike on their own.
- Little Ones: 1st-3rd grade, all levels are welcome, from true beginners to intermediate recreational riders.
- Youth Mountain Biking (or Youth MTB): 4th-5th grade; recreational riders, all levels are welcome.
- Junior Mountain Biking (or Junior MTB): Middle School and High School; recreational riders, all levels are welcome.
- Girls Mountain Biking (or Girls MTB): 4th grade and above; recreational riders, all levels are welcome.
- Enduro/DH: 4th grade and above. ABSOLUTELY NO BEGINNERS, from intermediate to advanced riders only. 3rd graders can join through invitation, recommendation, or evaluation only. Contact our cycling director for details at Virginie@bendenduranceacademy.org
- Enduro/Downhill Racing Team: 4th grade and above, with 3rd graders under invitation only. ABSOLUTELY NO BEGINNERS, from intermediate to advanced riders only.
- Women Mountain Biking (or Women MTB): 18+, all levels are welcome.
Riding goals
- If your child wants to enjoy a fun ride while learning some skills, Tiny Ones, Little Ones, Youth MTB, Junior MTB, , and Girls MTB are the perfect fit.
- If your child is more attracted by gravity, our Enduro/DH program is the best fit.
- Girls are welcome to all our programs, not only Girls MTB!
- If your child wants to race Enduro and/or Downhill, our racing Team welcomes everyone at an intermediate to advanced level.
Friends & Siblings
- We encourage riders to group-up with their friends if it is appropriate for the group and the chosen program.
- For safety reasons, we move kids who want to ride together to the level of the least experienced riders.
The Equipment (See Specific kids bike set up guidelines for more details)We outline the minimums or recommendations for bikes and gear — this is a huge safety concern for us if a rider’s bike is either unsafe or not correct for the group for which you have enrolled, so please follow these guidelines and ask for assistance if needed. If a rider shows up with a bike that is unrideable or unsafe, BEA reserves the right to send the rider home and ask to fix the bike before the following session.If you don’t have the time nor the skills to fix your child’s bike, we suggest taking your bike to a local bike shop for a check-up and tune before enrolling in our programs. Our safety checks can only make assessments — we cannot fix major problems. Bikes need constant maintenance; the more your kid rides, the more hours you’re gonna have to spend on his/her bike!
- For ages 4 to 7 we recommend 16” wheels or larger with at least one hand brake (no coaster brake). Gears are recommended but not mandatory. No slick tires.
- For ages 7 and 8 we recommend 20″ wheels or larger, two hand brakes. Gears are highly recommended. No slick tires.
- For age 9+ we recommend a minimum 24″ or 26″ wheels mountain bike with 2-brakes and gears required.
- For our Enduro/DH program, we highly recommend riders to have a full-suspension bike.
- Full face helmets and knee pads are mandatory for some rides in the Enduro/DH program. Eye protection in the form of goggles or glasses are highly recommended.
- Contact Virginie if you need help with gear protection.
Specific kids bike set up and gear guidelines Source www.pmbia.org | © 2019 PMBI AssociationEquipment set up and maintenance is a key part to managing risk, especially with children. A bike that is not working or fitted properly to a child, greatly increases risk. Kids mountain bikes are not just smaller versions of an adult mountain bike. There are some key things to consider to ensure the bike is safe and comfortable for your child to ride.TIRE PRESSUREKids are smaller and weigh less, and this is more so the younger they get. We see tires with too much pressure in them. This compromises traction, comfort and therefore safety and enjoyment. A good judge to measure suitable tire pressure for any rider, is if the rider themselves can “squash” the tire. With this exception of perhaps really 4 years old, this holds true most of the time and is a good reference point to at least start determining tire pressure.Regardless, a kid’s tire pressures can be as low as 8 or 10psi, ranging up to 20psi, depending on the kid and the type of bike/tire. With the advent of kids 20” fat bikes, these figures are perfectly reasonable. An adult should be able to squash a 4 – 6 yr old’s bike tire, pretty easily.BRAKES Kids typically have smaller and weaker hands, so it’s important that the brakes are set up accordingly.
- LEVER ANGLE: Similar to an adult bike, the lever angle should be slightly higher than the angle of the forearms, when standing. 4 – 6 yr olds sit down a lot. Lever angle should be mostly set up for sitting down, rather than standing, and therefore by slightly higher.
- LEVER REACH: Take the time to ensure the lever reach is such that your child does not need to roll their wrists forward, to reach the lever. Bring the lever as close to the grip as is needed, and then adjust the brake accordingly (so the ‘bite’ point is still reasonable and the brake responsive).
- BITE POINT (see picture): For any kid learning to use hand brakes for the first time, it can help to bring the bite point of the brake closer to the bars. This makes the brake less responsive, while they are learning on gentle terrain and slow speeds. As soon as they are comfortable using the front brake gradually, adjust the bite point back to normal, to ensure correct braking power. However, a closer bite point will make it easier for smaller hands to brake with more power.
Bite point
- BRAKE CABLE FRICTION: Poorly maintained cable brakes can significantly reduce the braking power, when a kid has smaller and/or weaker hands. Many kids’ bikes are dangerous simply because the child cannot squeeze the lever hard enough, to brake effectively. When we also consider that kids can get tired more easily, especially their hands, this problem can be made even worse.
- HYDRAULIC DISC BRAKES: This is why we recommend hydraulic disc brakes, when possible, even for kids bikes. This is because they are much more reliable from a maintenance point of view and are often much smoother and easier for the kids to operate. It’s less about how powerful the brake is but more about how easy it is for the kids to use. More powerful brakes mean your child doesn’t have to squeeze as hard, meaning less fatigue which is very important.
SEAT HEIGHTNEW RIDERS: Any kids newer to riding, can have a lower seat, so their feet can touch the ground, when seated on the bike. This is especially true for kids around 4 – 6 years old. Their ability to react and recover when they lose stability is lower. Typically, if they start to fall, they fall! Allowing them to comfortably touch the ground (almost flat feet) while seated, is key to allowing them a margin of error to recover. Also, newer riders tend to sit down a lot more since they haven’t developed the same balance and control of the bike, to enable them to stand up with confidence.Pros: More confidence inspiring, safer, easier for kids to learn, easier to start and stop.Cons: Less power when pedalling and potentially more fatigue.BIKE FITKids can grow very quickly! It is therefore reasonable to expect that at some point, a kid’s bike may be too small or too large, and within reason, this is okay. Bikes that are a bit too small can be a good learning tool, as can bikes that are a bit too large. However, safety is paramount, so if the size of a kids bike is simply making it difficult for them to ride safely, a new bike will definitely be recommended. Thinner grips, smaller seats and pedals, can also help make a bike fit more comfortably and safely.Bike fit can also be adjusted based on the type of riding. Some rides that are on pavement/gravel road could have a bike fit with a higher seat. When trying an easy single track, the seat could be lowered. This will promote the best position for strength and mobility. Higher = better position for strength. Lower = better for getting on and off and pedaling while standing.This cheeky monkey is between bike sizes; he’s getting a little big for his 16” but is still a bit small for his fat tire 20” bike. 
He can start and stop easily on his 16” but it has no gears and smaller wheels. He can both reach the ground with his toes and has good leg extension on the seat. This is a sign the bike may soon be too small.
He needs help to get started on his 20” bike, but once he’s going, he finds it much easier to keep up with everyone, because of the bigger wheels and gears.There’s always pro’s and con’s to bikes that are too small or large!CLOTHING & PROTECTIONKids mountain bikes are better than ever. This also means more kids on real, single track mountain bike trails. Consequently, these kids are at more of a risk of getting hurt, than ever before. It’s therefore crucial that kids not only have well maintained and properly fitted bikes, but also the good quality and correctly fitted helmets, shoes, gloves and body armor.
- HYDRATION PACKS
While great for carrying water, snacks, a spare tube and so on, these also double as great back/skin protectors. With kids’ specific packs available, these are a great option!CARRYING PACKS – ✴ Encouraging kids, even from an early age, to carry their own gear and supplies, is great to teach them independence and self-reliance.✴ Kids are carrying their own water, spare tube, snacks and even a spare set of underwear!✴ The pack can also double as some great protection in the event of a crash.
- GLOVES
Good quality kids’ gloves can be hard to find. We recommend gloves without padding on the palm. This often makes it more difficult to grip and squeeze the handlebars.
- KNEE & ELBOW PADS (both, not one or the other!)
Cheap pads are more likely to be uncomfortable (the kids won’t want to wear them), and they often move in a crash, reducing their effectiveness. However, good kids pads like those from IXS or GForm, are fantastic for improving confidence, safety and comfort.
- HELMETS
It’s quite common to see kids with both poor quality and poorly fitted helmets. Again, safety comes first. If your child doesn’t have a suitable helmet, they must find one before starting any lesson or program with BEA. No exceptions. 
Yes! This helmet looks great.
No, this helmet needs adjustment.✴ Helmets should fit the same way as an adult helmet. Snug and level, slightly above the eyebrows. Strap should be snug but not tight.✴ If the strap is undone, the helmet should stay on when the person tips their head upside down.
Goals of our program include:
- Having fun together.
- Making new friends.
- Learning new skills.
- Learning to ride in a group safely and courteously.
- Creating long-lasting respect for & appreciation of our trails and natural environment.
- Exploring new trails and making improvements on familiar ones.
- Gaining fitness and confidence so our kids want to ride more.
Academy Rules of the Trail
- Be prepared: bring a helmet, water, tube, & working bike
- Say “Hello” to everyone
- Ride in control
- Ride only open trails
- Preserve the trail: no cutting corners or walking on jump faces
- Stop at all junctions and trail crossings to re-group
- Stay within sight of your group; don’t wander off into the woods
- If you happen to lose the group, stay where you are and a coach will find you
- Downhill Riders yield to Uphill Riders
- Bikers yield to all other users like walkers and horses
- Don’t scare people or animals. Slow down when hikers let you go by.
- Scout all jumps/drops/black diamond features; only ride with Coach permission
- Respect and help your teammates and coaches
- Leave no trace
Vehicles & Driving
- Respect the Driver, Coaches, and your fellow riders
- Riders must sit facing forward with a seatbelt on at all times
- Keep all body parts inside the windows
- Inside voices
- Lost and found in front of vans
- Pick up your trash
How do you define Ability?
- “Absolute-Beginners” are those who need help getting started, or who are not comfortable on a bike — they require one-on-one attention from Coaches to remain safe.
- “Beginners” are those who can ride, are ready to take on challenges, and can be mixed into a group-setting with appropriate ratios of riders-to-Coaches.
- “Recreational” riders enjoy riding and want to improve but aren’t immediately interested in advanced skills or racing.
- “Intermediate” riders have more experience, might be more interested in pursuing a harder progression, and might be convinced to ride more days per week or try a race.
- “Advanced” riders have many years of experience and can start giving back to their teammates while they pursue their own goals.
Why is Age requirement so important?Minimum ages are set to create peer groups. While many younger riders can demonstrate good skills, they often need to remain with their peers instead of moving up too quickly. Younger riders get tired more quickly and while they may keep up at the beginning of the session, they may not have the stamina of an older child to finish.
How does the WaitList work?
- Many programs have caps. This is so we can provide your child with the best experience for the resources we have.
- The enrollment form shows how many spots are left.
- If a program is FULL then you should register for the Cycling Wait List. We will update everyone on the waitlist up to a week before the program begins.
- We will not take payment unless your child is accepted into the program.
How does Tuition work?
- Payment is due partially or in full at registration.
- A $200 deposit is required to register.
- We offer a payment plan with three installments.
- Contact Virginie at virginie@BendEnduranceAcademy.org if you need help with payment or help getting a scholarship through others foundations and organizations.
Can I have a Make-Up Day?
- We do not offer to make up days if you miss your session.
- Riders are expected to show up on the days they’ve signed up to attend.
- There is no make up day or refund for specific program days canceled due to bad weather or natural disaster like fire/smoke.
How do you set up groups?
- Riding Groups are created and adjusted on-the-fly based on several factors including attendance, terrain, experience, ability, age, and motivation of the participants.
- By default, we begin with age and then adjust by ability/experience/friendships to make efficient groups.
- Riders and parents must communicate with their Coaches about their desires, goals, and aspirations but it is the Coach’s final decision about who rides in which groups. Riding in a “slower group” is sometimes important for proper skill and personal development — it is not a penalty.
- Riders must earn their progression by showing respect for their Coaches & peers while exhibiting dedication, motivation, and improvement.
Is BEA a Racing Program?
- Our mission is to offer a full range of mountain biking options for Absolute Beginners to Advanced, Recreational Riders and Racers!
- We are encouraging our Enduro/DH riders to try a race or two.
- We are ready to build an Enduro and/or Downhill racing Team whenever you are!
- Racing is available for those who are interested but it’s always optional. Racing is hard. Riding bikes should be fun! Sometimes those are the same, sometimes they’re not.
What if my child doesn’t have a bike or it’s broken?
- Contact us ASAP for options at (503) 914-7616
- virginie@bendenduranceacademy.org
Private Sessions
AGE and SKILLSPrivate sessions are for all ages, from absolute beginners to advanced riders, from learning to ride a two wheels bike to learning to drop and jump.DESCRIPTIONThe only one on one instruction where we are 100% dedicating our attention to your kid! Together we can decide on the length of the session, day and time, and recurrence if desired. You can also have a voice on which instructor you would like to have. We determine the location depending on the riding skills of the rider.Each session runs for a minimum of 1.5 hours with 30 minutes increment.REGISTRATION and COSTContact our cycling coordinator directly at virginie@BendEnduranceAcademy.org or (503) 914-7616 to set up registration.The cost of a 90 minutes session is $90.
Semi Private Sessions
AGE and SKILLSSemi-private sessions are for all ages, from absolute beginners to advanced riders. Ideally, the group should have similar skills and ages for a better experience overall.DESCRIPTIONWe started our Semi-private sessions under Covid-19 circumstances. Pods of kids who were already doing “class” together or friends who would rather skip the group sessions and exposure to more kids. Semi-private sessions are also ideal for homeschooled/online children who want to ride at a more convenient time during the day. You gather a minimum of two riders to a maximum of five, and we work the details with you. Together we can decide on the length of the session, days and times, and recurrence. You can also have a voice on which instructor you would like to have. We determine the location depending on the riding skills of the riders. Each session runs for a minimum of 1.5 hours with 30 minutes increment. REGISTRATION and COSTContact our cycling director directly at virginie@BendEnduranceAcademy.org or (503) 914-7616 to set up registration. The cost of a 90 minutes session is $120 for the whole group (we divide the price between the number of riders. For example, four different families pay $30 each). Maximum of five riders per group.
Contact Cycling
Cycling Director- Virginie Calme
Email: Virginie@bendenduranceacademy.org
Office Phone: 503-914 7616
Cycling Coaches
Virginie Calme
Virginie is a “retired” teacher from France. Since she moved to Bend in 2017, she’s embraced our Central Oregon’s outdoor life by teaching skiing, downhill biking camps, and coordinating the Cycling program for BEA.Her biking experience ranges from cyclocross to road and mountain biking. She loves ripping down the trails with the whole family. Favorite trail in Bend: Funner!
PMBIA Level 1 Coaching Certification
Natasha West
Natasha is a lifelong Oregonian who originally moved to Bend to attend OSU Cascades. While an avid cyclist in the summer and fall, in the winter she spends her time as an alpine ski instructor teaching at Mammoth Mountain in California and Mt Bachelor.She is also the nordic program coordinator for Bend Endurance Academy.She loves helping kids find joy and independence in the outdoors. Favorite Trail: South ForkPMBIA Level 1 Coaching Certification
ryder talcott
Ryder moved to Bend from the Northeast with his sights set on larger mountains, rivers, and crags to play in.Ryder has extensive experience leading multi-day adventure-based trips including activities such as mountain biking, rock climbing, snowboarding, backpacking, and white-water paddling. He is passionate about outdoor recreation and experiential education and has been focused on sharing this passion with youth and young adults since 2017.Favorite Trail near Bend: Lower Tiddlywinks.PMBIA Level 1 Coaching Certification
Mark White
Mark, a native of Portland, Oregon, moved to Bend three years ago. A Graduate of the University of Oregon, his studies included coaching and performance techniques. His cycling highlights include tours to Sea Ranch, California, and Seattle, Washington. Father of two, he has taught outdoor education and sports, including climbing, cycling, skiing, and paddle sports for many years. He is also a music instructor. His favorite local trail is the “unnamed” trail that’s not even on the map!
young choi
Young is one of our instructors for younger riders.She was born and raised in Pusan, South Korea, where she studied Business Administration.Throughout the last 18 years, she has worked as a primary designer both interior and exterior for a residential home building business in Bend, Oregon.After moving to Oregon, Young has discovered her love for the outdoors. She has joined Mt. Bachelor as a PSIA certified youth ski instructor and in 2019 Young has joined the Sunriver Resort Marina. She believes that spending time in the mountains, nature, and the outdoors is a life necessity.Young is motivated to connect with other people and help others discover what they love. In Young’s free time you can find her road biking, mountain biking, hiking, skiing, kayaking, reading books, or spending time with friends.Favorite trail in the area: Metolius- Windigo Todd Lake
Evan Grover
Evan is one of our highschool students who coaches for BEA. He moved to Bend when he was one and has been on bikes and skis since he could walk. He races cross country skiing and finished 5th twice at junior nationals. He thinks racing is fun but his favorite part about skiing and biking is exploring new places, like skiing up to Broken-Top or riding an entirely new trail system. In school, he’s kinda a math and science nerd!
Sean Davis
Ashley Tuttle
Ashley’s love for the outdoors was forged on the icy and rocky trails of the Northeast. Naturally, she made the move west to feed her need for bigger mountains, pursue her passion for mountain biking and backcountry snowboarding. Throughout her life, she has constantly sought to share her love for outdoor recreation, and get kids outside through sport and mentorship. While not in the dirt or on snow, she has merged her passions for the outdoors into her day job as an action sports attorney. Ashley now calls Bend home, and can be found on the trails, on the water, or exploring new lines in the Cascades. Favorite Trail: Southfork
Bonnie Randolph
Bonnie is a former teacher from the Philadelphia area.She believes kids belong outside, so she left the classroom to merge her teaching skills with her love for the outdoors.In the winter, Bonnie spends all hours shredding and teaching snowboarding. When the snow melts, she loves mountain biking, hiking, and paddling our beautiful trails and lakes.Bonnie is passionate about the preservation and low-impact enjoyment of public lands, and she enjoys teaching kids to Leave No Trace.PMBIA Level 1 Coaching Certification
Desmond Garrott
Desmond is an Enduro racer who loves to ride fast, but he hasn’t always been that way!Growing up in Southern California, he started his biking career riding road bikes and only recently after moving to Central Oregon has caught the mountain biking bug, and now he wants to share his love for the sport with others.Desmond also raced slalom and giant slalom throughout High School.When not on the trails and slopes, Desmond is a student at COCC.His favorite trail is Last Chance at Mt Bachelor Bike Park!
chris emme
Chris found out about BEA while working as a climbing guide in Australia. Contemplating a move to Central Oregon, BEA seemed like it would be a great outlet to help get kids outside, and it has been a great fit!When not coaching, Chris enjoys climbing, bikepacking, backcountry skiing and leading overseas trips for high school groups.The motto he aspires to live by is from Aldo Leopold, “A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise.”His favorite ride: Horse Butte to Horse Ridge and back!
max sobel
Max believes outdoor recreation is essential to health and well being. He has found his calling teaching mountain biking and skiing, helping kids develop the skills to safely enjoy and respect the outdoors.Max’s background working on performance vehicles has provided a natural segue into fine-tuning and maintaining gear for the best performance possible.When he’s not riding or skiing, you can find Max hiking, camping, and tossing discs.His favorite trail is the Soquel Demonstration Forest Flow Trail in Santa Cruz, CA.PMBIA Level 1 Coaching Certification
Marty Brill
Marty’s father introduced him to backpacking, fly-fishing and skiing in the Sierra Nevada Mountains at a young age. Twenty years after a climbing trip with friends to Smith Rock, Marty and his family moved to Bend from the San Francisco Peninsula to find more balance in their lives and give their children the gift of living in an area with unparalleled access to the outdoors. Marty is a coach with NICA’s Bend Composite mountain bike team and a volunteer with Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search & Rescue. Favorite trail in Bend: Tumalo > Swede > South Fork loop
Aron Lucas
Aron moved to Bend summer 2020 for the adventures and beautiful surrounding landscapes. Aron has an extensive background in guiding and teaching, from mountain biking to river rafting, skiing, and more. In addition, he is a passionate athlete, trainer, yoga instructor, Functional Movement Screen specialist, and all-around movement enthusiast. Aron loves to apply functional movement to sports, helping the whole outdoor community with optimal performance, recovery, and injury prevention. Favorite trail: Tiddlywinks
Micha Baird
Micah is one of our instructors for younger riders. He moved to Bend from Annecy, France with his family in 2020.Living in the Alps encouraged a love of the climb as well as the descent. A photographer by trade, he spends his free time mountain biking, road cycling, paddling in the summer, and snowboarding in the winter.Favorite trails in Bend: Metolius-Windigo and Flagline
Andrew Galbraith
Andrew moved to Bend a few years ago seeking more outdoor experiences for his family. He got his first Mountain bike at age 12 and has been riding nonstop for over 30 years while living in Connecticut, Colorado, Montana, California and now Bend. He has coached at the High School level and dabbled in XC racing but mostly rides bikes for the pure fun of it. When not on the bike, Andrew is skiing, travelling and doing all of the above with his wife and 2 kids. His favorite trail in Bend is Middle Flagline.
John Linton
John calls Oregon home after traveling to different places while serving in the military. His experience Mountain Biking includes treks through the Sonoran Desert and enjoying downhill in the mountains of the West Coast. Whether working on speed or enjoying a camping trip with his bike, he’s passionate for the ride and the feelings it brings. Not satisfied with standing still John wants to move forward training others and having fun along the way!
Moxie Hovorka
Moxie is one of our high schoolers giving back to her community. She has been with BEA since she was six years old with summer biking camps and climbing after school. Ever since she can remember her parents have been encouraging her to ride and climb. Today, she is part of BEA’s climbing team. She spends most of her free time climbing, skiing, biking or spending time outside.Favorite trail in Bend: Tiddlywinks.
Brady Pfeiffer
Brady is a college student who has lived in Bend his whole life. He has been climbing with BEA for almost 10 years. His favorite activities are mountain biking, unicycling, and snowboarding.
Rebecca Bell
Etan Calme
Etan was born in Portland and moved to Bend in 2017. He’s been biking since he was 2 years old; he currently rides downhill and enduro, and races in regional and international events. What Etan enjoys most about riding is exploring new trails and places with his friends and family. He is looking forward to sharing his passion of riding with other kids.His favorite trail is Dirt Merchant in Whistler Bike Park.
Lou Bauer
Lou was born and raised in rural upstate New York. Growing up, he developed a lifelong passion for biking, skiing, hiking, camping and the outdoors. He served 25 years in the US Army in a wide variety of leadership positions. Lou deployed overseas to South Korea, Kosovo, Pakistan, Iraq (twice) and was awarded the Bronze Star in Afghanistan. He spent the last part of his army career managing millions of dollars designing and developing a wide variety of military systems such as combat vehicles and computer networks. Lou has traveled to 30 countries, 49 states and driven across the country 14 times. Lou now calls Bend, Oregon home. During the winter, he teaches downhill skiing at Mount Bachelor. Regardless of the season, he enjoys the wide variety of outdoor sports that central Oregon offers. He teaches not just the technical aspects of a sport, but also leadership, teamwork, problem solving, decision making, resilience and safety/risk management. Lou’s objective at the Bend Endurance Academy is to pass his love and respect for the outdoors and sports to others, while instilling confidence through setting and achieving goals.
