Get ready for a Rad Adventure!

Here is what you need to show up prepared. Please make sure that you’ve filled out our waiver, familiarized yourself with our policies, and that you show up properly equipped.

Skills Session / Tour Meeting Locations

Pack your Gear

  • Please visit your local bike shop to make sure everything is tuned and ready. For most of our events, we suggest a dual-suspension cross country or all-mountain bike for a more comfortable ride, but front suspension-only bikes work fine also.

  • They will make it easier to learn and practice. If you are very comfortable getting in and out of clipless pedals and prefer them, feel free to use them.

    • Cycling Helmet

    • Cycling Gloves

    • Water

      • Bottle and/or Hydration Pack

    • A Spare Tube

    Make sure to be properly dressed for the weather

  • Don't worry if you don't have them yet, your coach will carry extras

    • Snacks

    • Any medications you require

    • Sunscreen and Insect Repellent

Here are the essentials that you will be required to have for our session.

Please note, your coach can refuse your participation in an event if they deem you to be unprepared or unsafe. Being prepared and safe on the trails is integral to a great riding experience!

Dress for Success

Please use this list as general guidelines only. We do not expect you to show up fully kitted up.

We do, however, encourage you to check out your local bike shop, and get to know which brands you like for yourself. Discovering new gear is part of the fun. We’ve included some of our favourites to help you out.

  • You'll want to invest in a few pairs of cycling chamois - we are talking about padded shorts here, not to be confused with the goat-antelope native to the mountains in Europe! Jump in your chamois without your underwear or you'll risk the chafing! Some swear by the chamois better, but we only recommend it for long days on the road bike. Throw a pair of "baggies" on top. These shorts are enforced fabric that won't get snagged up like spandex if you do take a spill and could save some skin. For those cold days, we either add high "ski" socks or a layer of thermal pants.

  • Choose a jersey that is comfortable and will wick away sweat. Living in the Maritimes, we will often start a ride with a long sleeve jersey, and end up stuffing that in our trail pack to opt for the short sleeve jersey we had on underneath. Colourful jerseys will help keep you visible on the trails. On cold days, we will add a thin down or "puff" jacket, or a softshell jacket.

  • For colder days - keep the neck warm as this is where you lose most of your heat. For hot days - keep the sun off your neck.

  • Ideally, pick up a pair of full-fingered gloves. Should you need to touch rock or dirt due to a fall, you'll be happy you protected that skin!

  • To help keep your ankles safe and happy, pick up some socks that go up over your ankle and roll them up high. The funkier the better! Tip: spray your socks with insect repellent.

  • Choose your footwear based on the type of pedals you're using. For clipless pedals, you'll need a pair of cleats. For flat pedals, you'll need a pair of "flats". You can definitely use your sneakers on flat pedals if you're not ready to invest in a pair of MTB-specific shoes. Just keep in mind that your sneakers might not grip onto the pedal spikes as well as a pair of "flats".

  • When we ride enduro or downhill trails, we opt for the full knee and elbow pads. They can also be useful in technical terrain. Having armour might just help your mental game.

  • Get a helmet that fits you. They are not one size fits all. We recommend picking one up with Multi-directional Impact Protection System (MIPS) for their innovative approach to protecting your precious melon - look for the yellow dot. We would recommend a full-face helmet for riding enduro or downhill trails.

  • Whether for the dirt, wind, or sunlight, your eyes need protection too. Choose a pair that won't fall off your face when you move your head around, or you'll end up giving them away on the trails!

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

We get it, there is still a lot on your mind! and we want to help answer as many of your questions as possible before you join us for an adventure.

  • You Bet! We will have a variety of skill levels and topics for you to choose from. If you’re just learning, look for one of our “Intro to MTB” Skills Sessions or book a Private Lesson.

  • You Bet! We will have a variety of skill levels and topics for you to choose from. If you have been riding intermediate and advanced trails with confidence for a few seasons, look for one of our “Progression in MTB” Skills Sessions, or book a Private Lesson.

  • When we specify an event is for Women+ we mean this event is for significantly female-identified people. We use an inclusive definition of “woman” and “female” and we welcome trans women, genderqueer women, and non-binary people who are significantly female-identified.

  • All humans.

  • That depends! Our certified Leaders will work with you to reach your goals, and like many other adventure sports this often includes breaking down some fundamental skills on flat terrain before charging onto singletrack. Trust the process, we want to ride too, and we use a process that works.

  • Our programs typically cater to those age 8 and older. We do make exceptions for 6 and 7 year olds that show confidence riding singletrack trails without training wheels.

    Most of our Festivals are designed for Radults 19+.

  • Absolutely! We have had many many riders join us as ‘alone’, and they usually leave with a huggable armful of new friends that they end up road tripping with season after season!

  • We are the first to take on mountain biking events like this, and we are about 25% cheaper than all the companies west of the Atlantic region offering the same type of events. We try to keep the pricing as low as possible without under-valuing the hard work of our team and local hosts.

  • Oui! We have several bilingual Leaders.