Rippers

After-School Rippers

The Rippers group will progress their balance and maneuverability on the bike through drills and games in a grass field environment with use of ramps, logs, jumps, and other features. These skills will then be taken to the trails to ride a combination of doubletrack and singletrack.

Ripper Skill Level & Program Goals →
What to Bring to Practice →
Bike Fit Guide →
Preseason Bike Check →

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Rippers

Ages 5-10

RIDER’S CURRENT SKILL ACHIEVEMENTS:

  • Rider is comfortable with the basic mountain bike skills of braking, standing with level pedals, and shifting 

  •  Rider has experience riding introductory singletrack mountain bike trails

  • 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:

  • Review and master Fun with Fundamentals learning Goals

  • Equal braking on varied terrain

  • Learn to stabilize bike/body through sharp bumps varied beginner/intermediate trail features

  • Arms and Legs engaged in active riding and using proper bike/body separation

  • Gain trail awareness by learning the names of trail features and proper trail etiquette

  • Learn to keep your eyes up and scanning your environment

  • Learn the movements for ‘pumping’ the bike through terrain

  • Begin learning the bike/body alignment for riding berms at controlled speeds

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. 

WHAT TO BRING TO PRACTICE

  • Helmet - See Helmet Policy for fit information. We have discounted helmets for sale through our partnership with UVM Health if needed.

  • Close toed shoes

  • Snack and Water - A water backpack like a Camelbak is a great option. SMBA has snacks on hand should your rider forget.

  • Bike Gloves

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.