Go West Group/school Bike programs
Helping kids learn to ride, teaching kids to be smart cyclists and creating a passion for cycling is one of our Core Values.
Before you read any further see what a Go West Bike Program looks like!
Go west bike programs at global village academy
We are excited to be partnering this fall with Global Village Academy.
MOVEMENT AND INDEPENDENCE
Getting moving and using human powered transportation keeps us healthy. Learning to navigate our neighborhood by bike allows kids a sense of independence and familiarizes them with their neighborhood and community.
Find out more about our Core Values.
INITIATIVE & SELF-DIRECTION
All of our programs are intentionally designed with the goal of building 21st Century Skills. Setting out on a bike ride is much more than just getting from point A to point B. At Go West, trip planning and taking advantage of opportunities for exploration are kid driven. Along the way we learn how to make choices, navigate our own adventures, and overcome bumps in the road.
Find out more about skill building at Go West Camps.
Learn to Bike
Our learn to bike program is focused on non-riders. In this program we start with the basics, learning to balance on a bike and to pedal once balanced. In our program we skip the training wheels. Training wheels can create a false sense of security for new riders and can slow their progression. Our goal is to have kids riding at the end of our 6 week program. Kids also learn about bike safety. It is important that kids participating in this program are encouraged to spend time working on their riding at home.
Smart Cycling
The Smart Cycling program is an introduction to the skills needed for kids to safely navigate their neighborhood streets and trails. Our program generally follows the Bicycling Skills 123 curriculum developed by the League of American Bicyclists. We also encourage participants in this program to ride a geared bicycle with hand brakes. Like in our Learn to Bike Program we start with the basics including helmet fit, bike inspection, starting, stopping and avoiding hazards. We then progress to skills that allow kids to ride safely in real world situations. These include balance, scanning, signaling, turning, yielding, entering a road and navigating an intersection. By the end of this 6 week program kids are capable of planning a route, riding safely for as much as 10 miles round trip and properly caring for their bike while riding and at home. This program can also include family rides on the weekend where kids share the skills they have learned with their families.
Introduction to Mountain Biking
Our introduction to Mountain Biking Program is appropriate for kids who can confidently ride a geared bike on neighborhood streets and trails and are interested in riding off road on dirt trails. We start with the basics teaching kids the three key fundamentals to Mountain Biking (eyes forward, level pedals, fingers on the brakes). We will build off of these fundamentals teaching kids about neutral and ready position, bike body separation (forward, back, side to side) and gradual braking. These skills are taught in a controlled environment like a parking lot or grassy field. We then apply these skills to riding single track and double track. Kids learn to pick and ride a line and learn to safely navigate obstacles in the trail. Kids learn navigation skills and basic bike maintenance needed while riding off road trails. The goal for this 6 week program is for kids to build confidence in their bike handling skills riding non-technical single track trails.
why choose Go west for your group or schools Bike program
- Go West Camps is a licensed school age child care program through the Colorado Department of Human Services.
- Go West’s cycling programs are led by certified cycling instructors. Certification is important, creating a foundation for the teaching that Go West provides. Andrew VanDerWege is an IMBA (International Mountain Biking Association) certified instructor. Dave VanDerWege is a League Certified Instructor through the League of American Bicyclists.
- Our program generally follows the Bicycling Skills 123 curriculum developed by the League of American Bicyclists.
- Go West owns and maintains a fleet of bicycles specifically chosen because they are appropriate for kids to learn and improve their riding skills. We can also help your school or organization in acquiring and maintaining your own bicycle fleet.
For more information about bringing a Go West Cycling Program to your school or organization please contact Andrew VanDerWege at 719.357.8872.