Cycling

Little Ones Ride

DESCRIPTION
This 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 SKILLS
This 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 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
Riders 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

COST
The cost is $500 for one session per week (10 sessions in total).

Youth Mountain Bike Team

AGE AND SKILLS
Team 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.

DESCRIPTION
Riders 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

SCHEDULE
You 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: $375
  Receive a 10% discount when signing for two or more sessions.

Junior Mountain Bike Team

AGE AND SKILLS
Team Junior is for Middle schoolers and High schoolers, age 12 and older.
For beginner, intermediate & avid riders.

DESCRIPTION
Riders 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

SCHEDULE
Riders 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

COST
10 week program
One session/week: $315.
Receive a 10% discount when signing for a second session.

AGE AND SKILLS

For girls 9 to 18 years old. 

For recreational riders, all levels are welcome. Riders may be grouped by age and experience if necessary. 

DESCRIPTION

Training 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

COST

The cost for 10 sessions is $315.

Enduro – Downhill

AGE AND SKILLS
For 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.

DESCRIPTION
This 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 Monday
10 Week program for Wednesday.
From March 29th to June 2nd.

• Monday’s: 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).
  • 4:00 – 6:30 PM
• All Day Wednesday: March 31, April 7, April 14, April 21, April 28, May 5, May 12, May 19, May 26, June 2.
  • 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
• Half-Day Wednesday: March 31, April 7, April 14, April 21, April 28, May 5, May 12, May 19, May 26, June 2.
  • 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

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.

Cyclocross

Looking Forward to a Fall 2021 Return to Racing!

At Bend Endurance Academy we see racing as a healthy way to participate in the greater cycling community while being a part of a team.  We are committed to providing a safe and encouraging place for individuals to grow as athletes. We value hard work, commitment to the team, respect for the sport, and a willingness to continually strive for improvement. 

RACING OPPORTUNITIES

Downhill:

Riders joining our Team Enduro/DH* can choose to race Downhill with us this spring and summer.

We are providing assistance and/or coaching for the following race series:

• • NW CUP series.
  • Fulltilt.
  • Summer series at Mt Bachelor

Enduro:

Riders joining our Team Enduro/DH* can choose to race Enduro with us this spring and summer.

We are providing assistance and/or coaching for the following race series:

• • Cascadia Dirt Cup.

Cross Country:

Riders from Team Girls, Team Junior, and Team Youth can choose to race with us at any time. BEA organizes one XC race every season:

• •  Cascade Chainbreaker MTB race

Please talk to our cycling coordinator Virginie (503-914 7616) or your kid’s coach for more details or other racing opportunities you might be interested in.

* Riders from Team Girls, Team Junior or Team Youth are always welcome to race Downhill or Enduro with us but are encouraged to practice with the Enduro/DH team for better readiness.

Private Sessions

AGE and SKILLS
Private 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.

DESCRIPTION
The 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 COST
Contact 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

NEW this spring! 

AGE and SKILLS

Semi-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.

DESCRIPTION

We 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 COST

Contact our cycling coordinator 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

Women’s Rides

AGE and SKILLS

These sessions are for women 18 and older, from true beginners to advanced riders.

Our riders will be divided into smaller groups for better experience.

DESCRIPTION

Either you just want to ride with other women, want to know more about Bend’s trail system, want to learn some new skills or work on specific trails features, we are adapting our sessions to your goals.

Our rides/sessions are guided/coached by our women coaches only.

Each ride starts from a different location around town to be determined depending on the group level and desire. Riders meet directly at Trail Heads.

SCHEDULE

• TUESDAY sessions
  • 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
  • March 30, April 6, April 13, April 20, April 27, May 4, May 11, May 18, May 25, June 1

• THURSDAY sessions
  • 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
  • April 1, April 8, April 15, April 22, April 29, May 6, May 13, May 20, May 27, June3

COST 
$375 for 10 spring sessions.

Receive 10% discount if you register for both days

Many factors influence which programs are best for your child.

Age, Ability & Experience

• Age 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 for everyone!
• Little Ones: 5 to 8 years old, all levels are welcome, from absolute beginners to intermediate recreational riders.
• Team Youth: 9 to 11 years old recreational riders, all levels are welcome.
• Team Junior: 12+ years old recreational riders, all levels are welcome.
• Team Girls: 9 + years old recreational riders, all levels are welcome.
• Enduro/DH: 9+ years old. NO BEGINNERS, from intermediate to advanced riders only. 8 years old can join through invitation, recommendation, or evaluation only. Contact our cycling director for details.
• Women Rides: 18+, all levels are welcome.

Riding goals

• If your child wants to enjoy a fun ride while learning some skills, Little Ones, Team Junior, Youth, and Girls 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 Team Girls!

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

• 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.
• 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. 
• 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.
• 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.
• Riders need to come with a helmet. Gloves and knee pads are a plus.
• 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 recommended.
• Full face helmet is mandatory for riding in the Bike Park or racing Enduro/ DH. Pads and neck brace strongly recommended for Enduro / DH / Bike Park training and racing.
• Contact Virginie at virginie@BendEnduranceAcademy.org if you need help with gear protection.

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.
• We offer $20 sibling discounts.
• We offer a 10% discount when you sign up for more than once a week program.
• 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 our coordinator ASAP for options at (503)914-7616
• virginie@bendenduranceacademy.org

COVID-19 Operations Plan – Cycling

Health Criteria for Staff and Participants

• We ask that any staff or participants with illness involving fever, new cough, or shortness of breath stay home.
• We will require participants to have their temperature checked at home by an adult the morning of their program. This temperature will need to be reported and recorded during the participant check-in process. If parents cannot attest to their child’s temperature it will need to be checked at check-in.

General Hygiene

• Coaches and participants will be instructed to use hand sanitizer/change gloves anytime they work with and finish their task with any shared equipment or when having close contact with any other individuals.
• Coaches and participants are encouraged to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, throw any used tissue away immediately into a garbage receptacle, and clean/sanitize hands after covering coughs and sneezes.
• Coaches will wear face coverings whenever they cannot maintain appropriate distancing from participants of at least 6’.

Daily Procedures

Check-in

• During check-in, coaches/staff will record the name of the participant/adult dropping off and the time of drop off. 
• We ask that riders and parents wear a mask when physical distancing cannot be maintained during the check in process.

Ride Procedures

• Coaches will work to design each ride to minimize the use of highly used and/or multi directional trails.
• Coaches will work to plan rides to allow the group to stop in areas that allow riders to maintain proper social distancing measures while minimizing impact to the surrounding area and to prevent trail widening.
• Coaches and participants will wear a face covering when social distancing measures cannot be maintained.

Check-out

• We ask that riders and parents wear a mask when physical distancing cannot be maintained during the check in process.
• We will be recording the name and time of the adult pick up of participants in order to comply with state guidance.

Transportation Procedures

• All passengers and drivers are required to wear a face covering while in the van.
• Van travel will be limited to eight participants per 15 passenger van.
• When participants are transported via a BEA van all participants will utilize hand sanitizer prior to entering the van.
• Vans will be cleaned after each use and will targeted cleanings with a focus on disinfecting frequently touched surfaces of the van.

Communication Plan

• All new protocols and additional messaging will be communicated via the BEA website, post enrollment email communications, social media, and on site signage.
• Confirmed COVID-19 Case among Campers or Staff
  • Coaches and staff are instructed to notify their supervisor if they are notified of any participant or coach of having a confirmed case of COVID-19.
  • Supervisor will notify the Executive Director of any communication of a confirmed case or any cluster of illness among the cycling program staff or participants. Executive Director will notify Deschutes County Communicable Disease Investigation, Surveillance And Response: (541) 322-7418

Additional Resources

• Guidance for Recreational Sports from Oregon Health Authority
• Guidance for the public from Oregon Health Authority

Cycling Coordinator

Email: Virginie@bendenduranceacademy.org

Office Phone: 541-904-5048