Teachers' and Parents' Information
- Skills equipment
- Events - personal challenge and heaps of fun
- Giving your child ready
- Skills competitions
- Safety
- Clothing
- Parking
- Fire
- Suitable Bikes
- Bike Helmets Must Be Worn And Bikes Must Be Checked.
Skills equipment
Kids love playing on the skills gear, it really improves their confidence as well as skills. For ideas on building a simple skills area, that can easily be put together on a park, big back lawn click here for PDF.
To build more substantial skills / obstacles suitable for schools or larger groups, click here
Events - personal challenge and heaps of fun
It is noticeable that once kids get to college and take part in "Schools MTB competitions" there is a big drop off in numbers, with low participation by girls.
Because of this, the emphasis of these events is on participation and giving it a go, providing all the kids with an opportunity to get a sense of personal achievement while having fun. We have nothing against competition, however, for most of the kids this is the only opportunity they have to participate in a mountain bike event. As a result we want them to go away feeling good about themselves, with the added reward of gaining a medal for having completed the course.
To encourage the girls, they can start after the boys if they choose, so that they do not feel intimidated by loads of boys overtaking them on narrow single track!
Giving your child ready
Whilst these events are not competitive they do require a reasonable level of fitness, and bike skills. So please do get your child out riding a few times before the day and if possible off road, over some tree roots, a few small rocky / gravelling and muddy tracks would eb good.
The Jams are designed to be achievable for reasonably fit children who are confident cyclists. To help your child prepare we have some suggested training rides as being being fitter and more confident will help ensure your child hs heaps more fun on the day.
Skills competitions
We also recognise that some of the older kids, especially boys, are very competitive! Hence, we have the skills competitions. These are free and open to all kids 10 years or over who have entered the main event. There are prizes for the best girl and boy in each skill.
Skills vary by centre. There are usually up to three different skills, depending on numbers and time. The types of skills include slowest along a narrow plank, highest bunny hop, limbo, longest jumps.
Safety
Qualified first aid will be at the venues and marshals will be out on the course.
Clothing
We suggest that children wear either long leggings or knee length shorts, plus long sleeved tops, as the most likely "injuries" are cuts and grazes. We would also recommend gloves if you have them.
Parking
For the safety of all competitors, vehicle access at the venues may be restricted, so please obey parking instructions. Children should not ride their bikes in the parking area.
Suggestion: pack a picnic or a BBQ and enjoy the day.
Fire
Many of the courses are in forest areas, where there may be fire risk. Any restrictions must be adhered to.
Suitable Bikes
Almost any bike can be used but no bikes with trainer wheels or balance bikes, as the courses are not necessarily suitable for these types of bikes. Gears are not essential (but will help), however, brakes are needed, and we would also recommend "knobbly" tyres.
Bike Helmets Must Be Worn And Bikes Must Be Checked.
Bikes and bike helmets must be checked in the two weeks prior to the event at a designated bike shop. Check out our list of recommended bike shops. If however, none of these are near you please go to your local bike shop.
NO caps or beanies are to be worn under helmets.
