Fun with Fundamentals

Fun With Fundamentals

For Ages 5-9

Rider’s Current Skill Achievements:

• Rider is confident riding a bike, and is just getting started with using their gears and hand brakes correctly

• Rider can ride comfortably on the road or smooth off-road trails such as rec paths or gravel roads

• Rider can participate in physical activity for at least two hours (with breaks) and is enthusiastic about learning to ride (some nerves are okay!)

Program Goals:

• Grow confidence on the bike and cultivate a love for cycling while playing a variety of on-bike skill games and beginner trail riding

• Gain comfort with standing on balanced pedals

• Safe braking practices

• Appropriate gear use for the terrain

• Fluid movement between ‘neutral/ready’ bike positions

• Learn how to remain stable and neutralize body over bumps and undulations on the trail

The Rider’s Current Skill Achievements are intended to gauge where your rider’s experience and skills are currently at the start of the program.

If you are unsure which program is best for your rider, please request a 1-hour skills assessment or phone call with a coach. The cost of an in-person skill assessment will be applied to your rider’s tuition upon enrollment at the current 1-hour private lesson rate.

During the season a coach may suggest moving your rider to another group more aligned with your rider’s progression on the bike. The first week of each season allows coaches to meet your rider and if group changes are needed, we’ll contact parents/guardians first.

The goal of the SMBA progression program is to build your rider’s confidence, skills and instill a lifelong enjoyment for riding. Furthermore, SMBA programs work within a positive feedback loop to help coach riders to learn and apply new skills continually. The feedback loop encourages our riders to start with their strengths, links their feedback to the target skill, and gives the rider their next progressive riding goal. Using this method ensures personalized coaching for each rider within the small group environment. 

Bike Fit - Inseam (standover height)

When looking to purchase a new bike or adjusting seat height particularly for the younger rider, inseam measurements and standover height are important. 

1-2 inches of clearance from the top tube when standing over the bike (not the seat) and holding onto the handlebars is ideal.

When riding the bike, the arms and legs should be slightly bent with weight comfortably balanced on the pedals (pictured below). If the bike is too small, the rider will appear to be weighted more over the front of the bike rather than equally balanced over the pedals.

Pre-Season Bike Check

ABC Quick Bike Check - A good pre-season check, but also something we teach riders to do before every ride. 

Air - The tires should feel like a ripe orange. Too much air can be almost as bad as too little. Also, inspect the tires for any cuts, worn tread, or signs of excessive wear.

Brakes - The brakes should engage at  approximately half the distance from a resting position to all the way against the bar. Make sure the cables and housing are not frayed and both levers squeeze and return smoothly. 

Chain - A clean and lightly lubricated (bike specific chain lube is best) chain keeps those gears happy. Give it a good clean and run through the gears to make sure all the gears are shifting easily. 

Quick Release - Check the quick release or wheel axles (where the center of the wheel attaches to the bike). They should be snug! You can also double check by trying to wiggle the wheels side to side with your hand and feeling if there is any play. If it is not easily snugged up, bring it to the local bike shop for a check.