Bytown Storm Mountain Bike Program

Coach Kevin Cameron is a NCCP Triathlon Community Coach and is Level 1 Professional Mountain Bike Instructor Association (PMBIA) Certified and is recognized as a Certified PMBIA Ride Leader.  Kevin has been a part of Ottawa's mountain bike scene since 2007 and is a leader in organizing and coordinating many local group rides. Kevin is also involved in building and maintaining the trail network across the Ottawa area in addition to promoting the sport throughout the year.

 Our mountain bike program is designed to help young riders build confidence and enhance their biking skills in various conditions. Whether they enjoy racing friends or prefer trail riding with family, our program equips them to ride smart and confidently.​

Program Structure:

• Skill Development: Each session begins with 20 to 30 minutes of instruction focusing on core mountain biking skills.​
   
• Group Rides: Following instruction, riders participate in group rides to practice and reinforce their newly acquired skills.​
   
• Culminating Event: The program concludes with a group ride at Larose Forest, accompanied by a BBQ.​
   

Spring Session Details:

• Schedule: Practices are held on Monday evenings starting at 5:30 PM. Each session lasts approximately 90 minutes, with adjustments based on daylight availability.​
   
• Locations: Sessions typically take place in Bells Corners or at the Carlington Bike Park. Depending on trail conditions, alternative locations around Ottawa may be considered.​
   
• Duration: The Spring session runs from April 21st until June 15th, with June 16th reserved as a makeup day for any sessions cancelled due to weather.​
   

Additional Information:

• Carlington Bike Park: Located in Ottawa, Carlington Park features a bike pump track atop a former ski hill, attracting riders from across the city. ​
   
• Larose Forest: Situated south of Ottawa, Larose Forest offers 17 km of fast, flowy mountain bike trails suitable for various skill levels.
   

Our program emphasizes a fun and positive environment, ensuring that each rider develops both skill and a passion for mountain biking.

Equipment:

• Riders should have a bike that is in working order and fits them.  Expectations is that they have both front and back brakes and actual mountain bike tires (not a hybrid)
• Each rider must have a properly fitted helmet and close-toed shoes.  We do recommend full fingered gloves but they are not mandatory.  There will be mud at some point so keep that in mind when picking which shoes your rider is going to wear 
• Each rider should have a water bottle or hydration pack.  If they do not have a way to carry the water bottle on their bike then they should have a small backpack to be self-sufficient.
• Mosquitoes may start to show up in late May/June., It will be up to the riders to have their own bug spray.

The Mountain Bike program runs 

Monday April 21st to Monday June 16th with a final group ride Sunday June 15th. 

Monday June 16th reserved as a weather makeup day  The optional swim offering is Wednesday evenings 6pm to 7pm at Richcraft Rec Center.

FREE Program Bonus training

As part of the program riders will have optional access to a swim once a week with an instructor to help build endurance and swimming skills.  This will be alongside our triathlon program.

Cost $125.00 + hst.