1. Do I need a lesson? Are you happy with how you ride? Do you get bogged down in roots and rocks? Do you get dropped by the rider in front of you because they somehow float over a log while you plow and crawl your way over it? Most people want to ride better than they do. But so few mountain bikers realize what goes into being good at riding a bike in the woods. Mostly because because they aren't aware of the skills they are lacking. THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY DON'T KNOW. And of course you likely made a sizable investment when you purchased your mountain bike. Doesn't it make sense to learn all you need to know to get the most out of that investment?
Some will argue that riding with a group will improve your riding skills and though this is true it is only true to a point. You will only progress as far as the best rider in the group and if that rider is a perpetual intermediate, everyone's skill set stagnates. We are expert riders with experience riding everything from New England technical single track to Fruita/Moab style riding to the best North Shore Vancouver, Whistler and Kamloops B.C. has to offer. We aren't racers, just riders with an addiction. If you want to race we can help because the funny thing about racing is if you can ride technical sections better, you will be faster. Lungs and legs are relatively easy to gain (and lose) skill takes more in depth effort and once you have it, its your's to keep.
A lesson with E.B.G. can be the fast track to bringing your riding to the next level. If you're committed to learning, we're committed to teaching you everything we know.
2. Who takes mountain bike lessons? People WILLING TO LEARN and wanting to have more fun on their bike. Both new and experienced riders benefit from formal instruction. We can explain the what, why and how's of riding and we will demonstrate everything we teach you but ultimately what you take from our clinics relies heavily on you and your willingness to learn new fun stuff. We have lessons for all levels of riding ability from beginner to expert level mountain bikers. We will ask you some specific questions prior to your lesson and we will tailor your ride/lesson options around the information you provide. We will also do a short pre-ride skills assessment to confirm your skill level so we can be sure to provide the best lesson for your needs.
3.When does your lesson season begin? Our guided/instructed rides start in late May and continue through late October.
4. How long are lessons and how far will we ride? Lesson time depends on the type of lesson chosen. Sometimes the lesson will run a little longer than outlined due to mechanical issues, rider issues, weather or other things but not usually and not by much. The distance of a ridden in a lesson is dictated by type of lesson and can range from 3 miles to as long as 30 miles. Though we offer instruction by the hour, UNLESS YOU ARE FOCUSING ON ONE OR TWO SPECIFIC SKILLS, we recommend no less than 2hrs minimum.
5. What are your qualifications to instruct mountain biking? For starters I have been riding mountain bikes for almost 40 years. I recieved my first international instructor certified through IMIC (www.beimic.com). Later I became certified as an IMBA L2 instructor and then decided to become a PMBIA L1 (Professional Mountain Bike Instructors Assoc.) as I felt that I would be a better well rounded instructor if I learned both teaching techniques.
6. What should I wear? Helmets are mandatory for all riders. Proper footwear, riding gloves, wicking layers, padded riding shorts, are recommended. We require flat pedals and some type of freeride shoe or just basic sneakers for lessons because we teach on flat pedals. Flat pedals build your skill set and also allow for fast bail outs in the lesson process whereas clip in style pedals tend to grow bad habits.
7. Are meals provided? E.B.G. doesn't provide meals for riders and we recommend that you bring some snacks and water to drink when you need to take a break. For day long 6 hour clinics we will stop halfway for lunch at one of the local eating establishments.
8.What will the weather be like? Eastside Bike Guides operate in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and being in a mountain environment the weather can be unpredictable. During our bike season months temperatures can range from a 90 F and high humidity to 37 F and dry and everything in between. Periodic rain and evening thunderstorms can occur and it is often windy. Fronts move through and wide temperature swings are possible. Weather here changes often so regular checking of the weather reports are a good idea.
9. What is your cancellation policy? We know that things happen and sometimes riders occasionally have to cancel a reserved ride. E.B.G. is willing to work with you as best we can but as we can't immediately refill a time slot so we have to adhere to the following cancellation policy. Cancellations for reserved guided rides received at least 48 hours prior to the tour date will be charged a $25 per person processing fee. Any cancellations received less than 48 hours of ride date or no shows are not eligible for a refund. No cancellations allowed due to weather UNLESS ABSOLUTE TORRENTIAL DOWNPOURS OR TEMPS ABOVE 90 F OR BELOW 32. In the event that a clinic is canceled or that you cannot attend, we do not offer refunds of registration fees. Registration fees will be rolled over to a rescheduled executed at a later date.
* Ride difficulty is a relative thing. These descriptions are to give a rough estimate of the difficulty levels and they may vary relative to what the client is used to in their own experience. Weather, fitness and equipment will also influence the ride difficulty.