Winter Break
Winter Break Camp
Join us for a week of mountain biking with MTBX! Our Camps are for riders ages 10 to 17 with Beginner through Advanced trail riding experience. Explore riding locations from Pacifica to Santa Cruz with our expert coaches learning invaluable skills that will last a lifetime. Ensuring a high-quality experience, group sizes are kept small limited to 10 riders per day with up to two coaches. Still not sure if MTBX is right for your rider? Contact us today to learn more about our programs.
- Dates: December & January
- Cost: $ 700/ Weekend
- Hours: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- Group Size: 3 – 10 riders
- Meeting Location: Mitchell Park, Palo Alto
- Riding Locations: Santa Cruz, Pacifica, and Half Moon Bay
Camp Details
(Opens 1 Month Prior)
Monday – Friday.
Flexible enrollment, allowing participants to register for 1,2,3,4, or full week of camp.
What is my riding ability?
Beginner
- Little to no trail experience
- Navigates fire road confidently
- Needs to learn break control (feathering)
- Limited shifting ability
- Can ride 5- 10 miles
Intermediate
- Prior trail experience
- Navigates single track confidently
- Feathers brakes when needed
- Smooth and timely shifting
- Can ride 1,000 to 2,000 ft of elevation gain
Advanced
- Trail experience
- Navigates steep and technical terrain
- Uses body positioning to feather and corner into turns
- Able to climb challenging root sections and rock gardens
- Can ride 10-20 miles with 1500 -2500 ft of elevation gain
Backpack
Comfortable, functional trail carry.
Your rider’s backpack must be properly fitted, as they’ll be wearing it throughout the ride, carrying essentials like snacks and lunch. Comfort is key an ill-fitting backpack can quickly become a distraction or discomfort during a long day on the trails. We do *not* recommend drawstring bags or oversized hand-me-downs, as they often lack the support and functionality needed for mountain biking. We also encourage packing a personal repair kit inside the backpack. While our staff is equipped to handle common issues, it’s a great habit to have your rider comes prepared. A basic kit may include a multitool, spare tube, CO2 cartridge, master link, and tire levers. These lightweight items won’t add bulk to the bag but can make a big difference in keeping your rider moving if a mechanical problem arises on the trail.
Extra Protection
Added safety for confident riding.
For riders looking to invest in additional protective gear, we highly recommend mountain bike specific shoes and knee pads. Knee pads have become the standard in the sport and make a significant difference when learning new skills and building confidence. This small investment can help prevent anything from minor scrapes to more serious impacts. With many brands offering varying levels of protection, we suggest choosing a lightweight knee pad that allows full pedaling mobility without hindering the overall riding experience. Riding shoes also vary, but having a dedicated pair for mountain biking is important for proper grip and toe protection. For younger riders especially, shoe selection can be tricky aim for durability and longevity rather than something that fits only in the short term. Mountain bike shoes should feature a rubber sole with a textured tread for reliable grip, along with a reinforced toe cap for added protection.
Helmet
Proper fit. Maximum protection
A properly fitting helmet is essential for safety. If a rider’s helmet doesn’t fit correctly whether it’s too loose, too tight, or sits improperly on their head it won’t provide the necessary protection. Additionally, helmets with visible damage, cracks, or signs of wear are no longer effective and should be replaced immediately. We strongly recommend purchasing a new helmet in these cases to ensure full protection. This is the single most important item on our gear list, and for safety reasons, we cannot allow any rider to participate without a properly fitted, undamaged helmet.
Mountain Bike
Built for off-road performance
Ensuring your bike fits properly is critical for both comfort and safety. In addition to proper fit, we highly recommend having the bike thoroughly checked by a bike mechanic or yourself before camp. A well-maintained bike means a smoother, safer experience for your rider, ensuring they’re ready to tackle the trails with confidence. Riders are required to bring a mountain bike to camp. City or commuter bikes will not be permitted, as they are not designed to handle the demands of off-road terrain. At minimum, a mountain bike should have a suspension fork, disc brakes, and a gear shifter. To ensure safety and performance, we will ask riders to remove any extras like baskets or kickstands before riding. While not mandatory, we strongly encourage the use of a full-suspension mountain bike.
What to bring
South for Winter
https://www.mountainbikingexperts.org
@baycyclesco
@rideepicenter
@summitbicycles
@click_suspension
#mtbx #bdr #downhill #nz #ridelikeanexpert
🇺🇸 -> 🇳🇿
https://www.mountainbikingexperts.org
@baycyclesco
@rideepicenter
@summitbicycles
@click_suspension
#mtbx #bdr #nz #downhill #ridelikeanexpert
MLK Weekend
Perfect weather, great trails, and three days of riding from Pacifica to Santa Cruz. From flowy singletrack to technical rock gardens, riders built skills, confidence, and soaked in the views. If you missed it… you missed a good one.
Want to ride with MTBX?
Summer camp early registration is open!
(Early Bird discount till June 1st)
Weekend rides all winter
Saturdays (Advanced) & Sundays (All Skills)
https://www.mountainbikingexperts.org
@baycyclesco
@rideepicenter
@summitbicycles
@click_suspension
#mtbx #ridelikeanexpert #enduro #downhill bayarea
Explore beyond your back door with MTBX!
https://www.mountainbikingexperts.org
@baycyclesco
@rideepicenter
@summitbicycles
@click_suspension
#mtbx #ridelikeanexpert #enduro #downhill #bayarea
Challenge by choice.
Not every rider is drawn to the hardest terrain and that’s okay. Some lines can feel intimidating, unfamiliar, or simply not your style. But for those who feel the pull to push limits, consider our Advanced Rides! Built to challenge, refine, and elevate your riding, these rides offer a true taste of what it means to be part of @race.blackdiamond.
Ready to step beyond your comfort zone?
https://www.mountainbikingexperts.org
@baycyclesco
@rideepicenter
@summitbicycles
@click_suspension
#mtbx #ridelikeanexpert #enduro #downhill #bayarea
Life’s better with a view!
https://www.mountainbikingexperts.org
@baycyclesco
@rideepicenter
@summitbicycles
@click_suspension
#mtbx #ridelikeanexpert #enduro #downhill #bayarea
Everyone starts from somewhere.
Learning new skills doesn’t happen overnight—it takes practice, determination, and patience. When you find the balance between putting in the work and having fun, that’s the recipe for life.
https://www.mountainbikingexperts.org
@baycyclesco
@rideepicenter
@summitbicycles
@click_suspension
#mtbx #ridelikeanexpert #enduro #downhill #bayarea
Test your comfort zone.
Progress comes from showing up and doing the work!
https://www.mountainbikingexperts.org
@baycyclesco
@rideepicenter
@summitbicycles
@click_suspension
#mtbx #ridelikeanexpert #enduro #downhill #bayarea
Health and Safety
Health
Snack and Lunch:
We advise against using thermoses or metal lunch containers as they tend to be too heavy and bulky for backpacks. Instead, we recommend lightweight, reusable lunch boxes that can easily be stored once the food is eaten. Please note that we do not provide snacks or lunches during camp. Riders must come fully prepared with enough food to meet their needs throughout the day. However, coaches will surprise riders with two special post-ride treats at some point during the week.
Water:
While not required, we highly recommend using a hydration pack, such as a CamelBak, to make staying hydrated easier. If cost is a concern, affordable alternatives are available off-brand bladders with hoses and mouthpieces can be found for under $30 at most retailers or online. Alternatively, water bottles stored in a backpack or attached to the bike are perfectly suitable for the rides.
Safety
Participant Eligibility:
Riders may not participate in MTBX programs if they have any pre-existing injuries or illnesses that could impact safe participation. Private or semi-private sessions affected by health restrictions may be rescheduled based on availability. All riders are required to carry their own medical insurance to participate in any MTBX program.
Trail & Environmental Conditions:
Trail selection is determined at the discretion of the MTBX Director and staff, based on rider skill level, trail access, and current conditions. In the event of local fires or smoke, Air Quality Index (AQI) levels are monitored and used to determine whether rides may safely proceed.
Staff Training & Emergency Response:
MTBX is a fully insured and permitted operation in the Bay Area. The Director and coaching staff are trained and certified in CPR, First Aid, and/or Wilderness First Aid. Transportation vehicles and staff carry first aid supplies on all rides. In the event of an accident or injury, appropriate emergency first aid will be administered, and parents/guardians will be notified promptly.
Equipment Inspections & Bike Safety:
All bicycles and equipment are inspected prior to each ride. MTBX staff are trained in mountain bike mechanics and can perform on-trail repairs as needed.
