How to bring students to the MTB challenge?
Hello interested teacher, coach or parent!
What better way to get your students into a fun and healthy outdoor activity than mountain biking!
This section is intended to help you bring a group of students from the same school or area.
You do not need mountain bike experience to bring students to this event. This event is beginner friendly for everyone.
Please read over all the material on this website for full event rules and requirements.
Because this is not an EOSSAA event, official school participation or teams are not required. There is no official process to bring a team to this event. Some schools have a designated teacher or teachers who organize a team. Other students rely on a parent to bring students to the event. Students may participate so long as the forms are properly filled out and signed by the parents (students under 18). We recommend that students bring friends to enjoy their day with. Having friends share the same activity will keep their interest ongoing.
Some teams practice together on bikes before the event. This can be a simple ride down a bike path or a ride in the woods. We recommend paths or trails that are not technical. If you live in the area of the event, there is a local mountain bike group that does fun rides on the actual school course during the weeks before the event. If interested, email for details. There are also kids mountain bike rides for local students (and teachers and parents) guided by Peter (event coordinator). Email for details.
Although registration is done the day of the event, it helps to have the names and age groups emailed beforehand. This helps us prepare for and run the event smoothly.
Some teachers have students fill out the required paperwork ahead of the event to assure there are no problems on race day.
There are no rules around a team wearing matching clothing. Some teams have made matching T-shirts. Others have had custom cycling jerseys made for their team. These are a nice touch but not at all necessary.
There are various methods for transporting students and bikes to an event. A bike can be disassembled to fit into a trunk or back seat of a car. Even better, bike racks can hold up to four bikes. A single pickup truck or trailer can usually bring 4-5 bikes plus chairs, coolers, etc. A carefully loaded/secured trailer can bring up to 10 bikes. Some teams even organize a bus, sometimes with an accompanying vehicle/trailer to carry bikes.
Other items to bring:
Must haves:
Should haves:
Nice to haves:
There should be a bike mechanic at the event that will assist if there are questions or if there is a problem. Just ask us and we will set you up.
On event day if you are last-minute getting a student to an event, give us a call on our cell (number will be posted). We might be able to delay the start by a few minutes or worst case we’ll have the student start with an older age group category (no points or medals though).
The event is usually all wrapped up by 3:30. This includes the individual races, team event and awards/prizes. After the event is a good time to ride with your teacher or parent!
Should you as a teacher or parent have additional questions or suggestions, please contact us. We would be happy to answer your question or refer you to some of the excellent coaches that bring a team year after year (they love the event!)
Whatever you do at least come and see the event. You will be inspired.
Peter and Rebecca Meier
Event coordinators
What better way to get your students into a fun and healthy outdoor activity than mountain biking!
This section is intended to help you bring a group of students from the same school or area.
You do not need mountain bike experience to bring students to this event. This event is beginner friendly for everyone.
Please read over all the material on this website for full event rules and requirements.
Because this is not an EOSSAA event, official school participation or teams are not required. There is no official process to bring a team to this event. Some schools have a designated teacher or teachers who organize a team. Other students rely on a parent to bring students to the event. Students may participate so long as the forms are properly filled out and signed by the parents (students under 18). We recommend that students bring friends to enjoy their day with. Having friends share the same activity will keep their interest ongoing.
Some teams practice together on bikes before the event. This can be a simple ride down a bike path or a ride in the woods. We recommend paths or trails that are not technical. If you live in the area of the event, there is a local mountain bike group that does fun rides on the actual school course during the weeks before the event. If interested, email for details. There are also kids mountain bike rides for local students (and teachers and parents) guided by Peter (event coordinator). Email for details.
Although registration is done the day of the event, it helps to have the names and age groups emailed beforehand. This helps us prepare for and run the event smoothly.
Some teachers have students fill out the required paperwork ahead of the event to assure there are no problems on race day.
There are no rules around a team wearing matching clothing. Some teams have made matching T-shirts. Others have had custom cycling jerseys made for their team. These are a nice touch but not at all necessary.
There are various methods for transporting students and bikes to an event. A bike can be disassembled to fit into a trunk or back seat of a car. Even better, bike racks can hold up to four bikes. A single pickup truck or trailer can usually bring 4-5 bikes plus chairs, coolers, etc. A carefully loaded/secured trailer can bring up to 10 bikes. Some teams even organize a bus, sometimes with an accompanying vehicle/trailer to carry bikes.
Other items to bring:
Must haves:
- Paperwork filled out and signed by parent.
- Helmet
- Bike (note, bikes/helmets can be shared if riders are in two different race start times)
- Food and drink to last the day (the closest store is not close)
Should haves:
- Fold up chairs
- Lots of food and drink, including an energy drink like Gatorade for the actual race.
- Clothes: in case of cold/rain/shell jackets in case of mosquitoes, hats for sun.
- Bug spray
Nice to haves:
- Shade/rain protection
- Fold up table
There should be a bike mechanic at the event that will assist if there are questions or if there is a problem. Just ask us and we will set you up.
On event day if you are last-minute getting a student to an event, give us a call on our cell (number will be posted). We might be able to delay the start by a few minutes or worst case we’ll have the student start with an older age group category (no points or medals though).
The event is usually all wrapped up by 3:30. This includes the individual races, team event and awards/prizes. After the event is a good time to ride with your teacher or parent!
Should you as a teacher or parent have additional questions or suggestions, please contact us. We would be happy to answer your question or refer you to some of the excellent coaches that bring a team year after year (they love the event!)
Whatever you do at least come and see the event. You will be inspired.
Peter and Rebecca Meier
Event coordinators