Who does Radical Roots MTB serve?

Radical Roots MTB proudly welcomes all skill levels, ages, abilities, interests, and wheel sizes. We humbly strive to create space that feels safe, inclusive, and welcoming for all people. Some of our programs/events/offers are labeled as “Women’s events/programs/clinics” or “Ladies Nights” as these are open to riders who self-identify as FTWN-B (femme, trans, women/girls, non-binary), or gender non-conforming.

In our programs/events/offers for junior riders have historically been designed to serve riders who self-identify as FTWN-B (femme, trans, women/girls, and/or non-binary). However, we pride ourselves in prioritizing fun safe spaces for ALL riders and therefore will not turn anyone away who is interested in joining and contributing to these safe, inclusive spaces for all humans, regardless of gender.

About 90% of our coaching staff identifies as FTWN-B but we do have a few male-identifying coaches and assistants and each season we see more and more male-identifying riders join us and we are happy to welcome them. Please reach out if you aren't sure if this program is for you/your rider and we are happy to help. 

Discrimination and hurtful comments, attitudes, or actions will not be tolerated.

Do you offer scholarships?

Scholarships are available, to apply click here.

Can you guarantee to help me reach my riding goals?

We can guarantee that if you practice what we teach you, you will indeed improve. Mastering complex mountain biking skills and techniques comes from both the tools and the feedback that your coach(es) give you plus the work and effort you put in. While we can’t guarantee that the skills you are taught during a lesson will be mastered in our short time together, we do stand by our coaching, giving participants the tools needed to understand and opportunities to practice the skills being taught. Our Radical Approach provides participants with plenty of “fun homework” in the form of a skills recap and study guide to continue their growth outside of their time with Radical Roots MTB.

What is your cancellation policy?

Cancellations received at least 14 days prior to event will receive a full refund, less $50 admin fee. Cancellations received from 7-13 days prior to the event will receive a 50% refund. Cancellations within 0-6 days of the event or "no show" will not receive a refund. Find our Terms and Policies here.

What happens if the weather is less than ideal?

Hailing from Bellingham, WA; our coaches share with confidence that we have faced just about all conditions Mother Nature has to offer. We pride ourselves in our ability to adapt. Heck, we admit that we even enjoy a sloppy good time, so long as we are practicing a conscious effort to maintain safety and conserve trail conditions. However, learning in extreme conditions can be uncomfortable, distracting, and even dangerous at times and we really want you to get the most out of our time together. If conditions prove to not be ideal as the event approaches or if the forecast is looking bleak, we may reach out to see how you would like to proceed or to make an alternative plan.

Do coaches accept tips?

Absolutely! While tips are never expected, they are always appreciated. Our coaches take great care in preparing and setting up for each class they teach but aren’t necessarily paid directly for that time. If you want to bring cash for a tip to your session, radical! If you want to send funds through Venmo or another cash app, feel free to ask your coach(es) for their account or send us a message and we can track down that payment information for you. If you purchase a private lesson your invoice will come through Quickbooks with an option to add a tip and we will be sure to pass the full amount on to your coach(es).

SKILLS CLINICS, PRIVATE LESSONS, EVENTS

How much experience do you need to participate in your skills clinics, programs, and events?

Our events and clinics are designed to accommodate riders of all skill sets and learning styles, unless otherwise noted. For our weekend-long training camps or multi-week programs we do send an intake survey to everyone who registers to learn more about each rider’s goals and expectations then we use that information to split participants into groups of similar riders. We pride ourselves on having coaches who are also well trained at handling ability-splits so even if the group you are in isn’t a perfect match, we are confident that you will get just what you need.

How are groups decided for skills camps?

We throw darts at a board and hope for the best… Just kidding! We have actually put a lot of thoughtful effort into designing our intake and sorting process and spend a great deal of time honing the art of group sorting. With over 15 years of experience hosting group training events we like to think we’ve had a decent amount of practice but it is an ever evolving process as we discover and experiment with better ways of doing it. We’re also pretty flexible and realize that we don’t always nail it. So if you end up in a group that you don’t feel you mesh well with, just let us or your coach know and we will see what we can do to make you more comfortable.

How old to you need to be to attend a clinic or event?

Our group lessons vary and will specify an age range in the class description. For our private lessons we’ve had clients as young as 3 (though we think 5 or 6 is a great age to start) and clients as old as 78, we really do try to reach any age. Most of our Women’s Weekend events are for riders who are 18 years or older. Our Radical Ripper Junior Programs are for riders ages 10-18 and summer camps are for riders who are 6-16 years old. For options for junior riders, check out our Radical Ripper offerings here.

Why do the rates vary between skills clinics and group lessons?

Each skills clinic and group offering is a unique experience and are priced based on the location, duration, coaching and staff needs, and all the extras like food, bevies, transportation, etc. Some of our events are fund raisers and some of them are sponsored by radical companies like Transition Bikes who cover some of the financial costs, essentially giving a scholarship to everyone. We do our best to find a balance between keeping the wheels rolling (and the lights on) and making sure our offerings are accessible to as many people as possible. If the cost of an offering is a barrier to you, please feel free to reach out or fill out our scholarship form and we will see if there is anything we can do to reduce your cost. Occasionally, we get generous donations from members in our community and can help cover registration costs for those who need it most. If you would like to donate you can do so here.

How do you recommend riders prepare for the skills camp/lesson/clinic?

First, we recommend bringing your bike in good working order. If you aren't sure about the condition your bike is in, be sure to take it to your local mechanic for advice and a tune-up. You’ll also want a good fitting helmet that is in good shape (not beaten up or broken) and any additional pads or protection you like (gloves, eye protection, knee pads, etc). Depending on the time of year or weather forecast you may consider bringing some extra layers of clothing for warmth and protection from adverse weather conditions. You’ll also want to come with an open mind for learning and a positive attitude. Oh and snacks, always bring snacks. ;-)

See further recommendations on how to prepare for you lesson here.

What type of helmet should be worn to skills camps/clinics/events?

Sessions at lift-assisted bike parks will require full-face helmets. If you've had your helmet since the 80's (or even just a few years), if it's been in a crash or two, or if you've noticed that it doesn't fit you well, it is time to replace it. We are going to add to the already vital information contained in your noggin, please don't risk losing it! See our recommendations for preparing for your lesson here.

Riders are recommended to use flat pedals for skills camps/clinics/events. What if you only ride clipless/clipped-in and are hesitant to switch?

We have found that flat (aka: platform) pedals, a pair of knee/shin guards, and sturdy flat-soled shoes make it safest to learn and practice during the skills sessions so we strongly encourage this set-up. We will give you tips and strategies for safely riding on flat pedals but keep in mind that everything we teach you on flat pedals can be translated back to your clipless (aka: clip-in) pedals. If you think that being on flat pedals for the trail riding portion of the clinic will hold you back from trying new things then we recommend starting the lesson on flat pedals and bringing your clipless pedals (and compatible shoes) so you have the option to switch pedals for the trail riding portion of the lesson.

Do you have food for participants at your weekend-long events?

It depends on the event, but most of our weekend-long events include lunches on both Saturday and Sunday and an optional family-style dinner on Saturday night. For the lunches we typically offer a make-your-own sandwich bar with options for all kinds of dietary needs (gluten free, vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, etc) we also often have a DIY Trail Mix station so you can personally customize a bag of trailmix to take with you for the trail ride after lunch. If you have any strict food allergies, you will be able to let us know in the pre-event survey you fill out. Dinner is usually set-up to accommodate all dietary needs as well but if you have a lot of restrictions you are always welcome to bring your own food and still join us in eating (just let us know if you have refrigeration or heating needs asap).

When is the best time to register for a skills camp?

Spots are limited and we typically sell-out our events, so we recommend enrolling as soon as possible. If you are trying to register for a sold-out event, please add your name to the waitlist because it is common to have spots open up and if the waitlist is long enough, we will try to add more coaches and therefore increase our capacity.

Are demo bikes available at your events or for lessons?

Transition Bikes generously donates the use of their sweet demo bikes to a number of our events. The bikes will be reserved on a first come, first served basis, so we recommend sending us an email containing your interest in demoing along with your height, rider weight (for suspension set-up) and any preferences (wheel sizes, specific models, etc). If you need a demo bike for any other lessons or programs, let us know and we are happy to explore options for you.