FEATURE
LESSONS + GUIDED TOURS
CLINICS + KIDS CAMPS
Jump-start your bike riding with a lesson from the experienced bike instructors at Bikeworks. A private two-hour lesson with a certified instructor will help find your flow, improve your trail speed and build upon your current mountain biking skills. Dave notes, “Our instructors take a student’s level of riding as a baseline to grow to the next level. If someone is just learning, we will show proper body positioning, shifting and braking. Those who have ridden a little longer can tackle larger trails and features like creek crossings.” Private lessons are available for all levels and can be especially helpful for kids who want to progress enough to ride with their friends and families. Pricing is $109 per lesson.
For a class with like-minded individuals that fosters your mountain biking skills, clinics are offered throughout the summer and range from introductory classes for kids to women-specific skills improvement events. Clinics in July and August include:
RIDE WITH A GUIDE For those who know the basics but prefer someone to offer a lay of the land and fun facts along the way, a guided ride may be the ticket. Book an instructor for up to two hours for a ride based on ability level. Riders can explore the TD trails with their own personal tour guide, learning about the history of the area, flora, fauna and more. While it’s not a lesson, pointers are also given here and there, such as how to properly shift gears and when to sit or stand. At only $30 a person for two to six people, take advantage of this fun and affordable biking option.
WOMEN’S BASIC BIKE MAINTENANCE: July 8 + August 12 WOMEN’S INTRODUCTION TO MOUNTAIN BIKING: Part 1: July 10 + August 14 Part 2: July 11 + August 15 FUN-DAMENTAL MOUNTAIN BIKING SERIES FOR KIDS: Ages 8-10: July 10 + August 14 Ages 11-14: July 11 + August 15 MOUNTAIN BIKING CORE FUNDAMENTALS (AGES 15+): August 21 For something a little longer for the kids, inspire them to get outdoors with weeklong and weekend mountain biking camps! All camps are open to kids ages 10-14 who can ride a bike for 1.5 hours at a time. A fun, safe and exciting environment will allow them to foster their general mountain biking skills while soaking up all the TD trail system offers. Certain clinics and camps have limited availability, so learn more and sign up at shop.tahoedonner.com.
NOTABLE TRAILS The Tahoe Donner Trail System provides over 60 miles of rolling, rocky, strenuous, breathtaking and otherwise unforgettable routes. What works best for your ability level? Dave has a few favorites to share: FOR BEGINNERS AND KIDS Families with small children or beginner bikers should head to the trails near Moondance Hut, like the Lions Leap loop. It’s a great trail for beginners and young kiddos. FOR BEGINNERS TO MORE EXPERIENCED BIKERS For teens and adults, there are a couple popular options. Beginners can ride down Cinnamon Twist to Euer Valley and ride the loop along the valley. Folks who have a little more riding experience can climb True Grit and then descend Mother Lode and Hidden Gem; this is far and away the most popular ride. FOR MORE ADVANCED RIDERS Advanced and fit riders will enjoy True Grit and Mother Lode with the addition of going up East Mustang Sally and down West Mustang Sally. Make sure to go up the east side and down the west, because going the other way requires more exertion. FOR REL A XED RIDES Older cruisers, relaxed riders and those who want a nice and easy bike ride should visit Pony Express, Night Hawk and Rough Rider as a nice beginner loop.
