Latest Updates:
Mad River Rippers (5/23)
The Mad River Riders are excited to welcome everyone to the first session of our 2023 Mad River Rippers Program! With a great weather window in next week’s forecast, we’re looking forward to kicking-off our season this coming Tuesday, May 23rd with group rides running from 5:30pm to 7pm or 7:30pm depending.
To begin the Summer, we’re going to invite all of our Rippers groups, from Striders all the way to Flyers, to join us at Blueberry Lake to knock off those cobwebs and get back into the swing of mountain biking. The Mad River Riders do encourage parents to participate and ride with their children; however, we understand that is not always possible. See the group descriptions below for guidance on parental involvement and a quick refresher on our basic breakdowns of ride groups, lengths of rides, and what to expect during a typical Rippers session.
Striders: Generally age 2-4. Experience level: never ridden/beginner
Pedalers: Generally age 4-7. Experience level: beginner
Cruisers: Generally age 7-10. Experience level: beginner through intermediate
Flyers: Generally age 11-13. Experience level: beginner through intermediate/advanced
If there are any parents or riders over the age of 13 who are interested in taking a more prominent role helping lead a group, you can consider volunteering as a Ride Guide. Ride Guides are expected to have intermediate to advanced skill levels, be available to meet at the trail heads early to help set up, and be available to learn basic CPR and First Aid. The support from our Ride Guides and volunteers have helped shape the Rippers program to what it is today and we certainly appreciate any and all support.
If you’re planning on joining us for our first rides of the season next week, please take a minute to review our Striders, Peddlers, Cruisers and Flyers’ descriptions, and come ready to enjoy the afternoon sun and some great riding on the trails!
The Mad River Riders are excited to welcome everyone to the first session of our 2023 Mad River Rippers Program! With a great weather window in next week’s forecast, we’re looking forward to kicking-off our season this coming Tuesday, May 23rd with group rides running from 5:30pm to 7pm or 7:30pm depending.
To begin the Summer, we’re going to invite all of our Rippers groups, from Striders all the way to Flyers, to join us at Blueberry Lake to knock off those cobwebs and get back into the swing of mountain biking. The Mad River Riders do encourage parents to participate and ride with their children; however, we understand that is not always possible. See the group descriptions below for guidance on parental involvement and a quick refresher on our basic breakdowns of ride groups, lengths of rides, and what to expect during a typical Rippers session.
Striders: Generally age 2-4. Experience level: never ridden/beginner
- We request that a parent or guardian be present for the entire ride with their child/children.
- Plan on a 30-60 minute outing, ensuring plenty of time for rest and play for our smallest riders.
- Please pack a snack, water, helmet, and a strider bike for your child.
- Schedule: Tuesday evenings from 5:30-7:00 PM
Pedalers: Generally age 4-7. Experience level: beginner
- Usually separated into 2 groups: those just learning to pedal and those that have a little more comfort. Typically, riders in this group are striving to gain comfort with the basic mountain bike skills of braking, standing with equally-weighted pedals, shifting, and riding introductory singletrack mountain bike trails.
- The early learners may require parental supervision.
- Parents are asked to make a judgment call that their child is comfortable enough to ride without their presence before dropping them off.
- Schedule: Tuesday evenings from 5:30-7:00 PM
Cruisers: Generally age 7-10. Experience level: beginner through intermediate
- Riders in this category should be comfortable riding a bike up to comfortable riding a variety of singletrack trails where they will encounter rocks, roots, and logs. These riders range from tentative to having a solid set of bike skills such as: controlled braking, front wheel lift, climbing (seated and standing), and leaning the bike into corners.
- Rides are based in various locations throughout the Valley trail network.
- Intermediate riding skill set. Rides will last 1-2 hours, depending on the sub group. The more advanced groups will climb and descend approximately 600 to 800 vertical feet.
- Scheduled Rides: Tuesday evenings from 5:30-7:30 PM
Flyers: Generally age 11-13. Experience level: beginner through intermediate/advanced
- Comfortable on a bike while riding a wide variety of singletrack trails.
- The more advanced subgroups within Flyers will climb more than 800 vertical feet per ride.
- Riders are expected to consult the group schedule and meet at trailhead locations on time. Rides will depart no later than 15 minutes after the announced starting time.
- Scheduled Rides: Tuesday evenings from 5:30-7:30 PM
If there are any parents or riders over the age of 13 who are interested in taking a more prominent role helping lead a group, you can consider volunteering as a Ride Guide. Ride Guides are expected to have intermediate to advanced skill levels, be available to meet at the trail heads early to help set up, and be available to learn basic CPR and First Aid. The support from our Ride Guides and volunteers have helped shape the Rippers program to what it is today and we certainly appreciate any and all support.
If you’re planning on joining us for our first rides of the season next week, please take a minute to review our Striders, Peddlers, Cruisers and Flyers’ descriptions, and come ready to enjoy the afternoon sun and some great riding on the trails!
The Mad River Rippers youth mountain bike program is fun for everyone!
Mad River Rippers Program Overview
Riding Groups
Riders are placed into small groups of similarly skilled riders based on age, experience, and riding style. Communication with parents and guardians during the registration process is important to help us assign riders to the appropriate groups.
Don't worry if your child doesn't fit neatly into one of the groups described below. Sign them up based on age. The registration form allows you to add information about your kids' riding experience and preferences. There will be subgroups within the categories below; some will do mellower rides and some will do more challenging ones.
The Mad River Riders encourage all parents to participate and ride with their children; however, we understand that is not always possible. See the group descriptions below for guidance on parental involvement.
Striders:
Pedalers
Cruisers
Flyers
Ride Guides
Ride Guide Benefits:
Are you interested? We need folks who are:
To support the Rippers and the Riders and our growing network of 60 miles of trail, please consider joining the Mad River Riders and the Vermont Mountain Bike Association.
Mad River Rippers Program Overview
- The Rippers is a mountain bike program for young people in the Mad River Valley, open to all kids, regardless of home address.
- Rides are based at a variety of locations throughout the Mad River Riders trail network. The program is open to anyone from 2 year-olds on strider bikes to middle and high school kids.
- Rides are held regularly every Tuesday from 5:30 PM to 7 PM or so, from May 24 through September. The program is free, but registration is required (see link above). Please consider becoming a member of the Riders to support the Rippers and the trails.
- There is no need to to sign up for individual rides. Just register for the season and be ready to ride at 5:30 PM.
- There will be rides every week at Blueberry Lake. In addition, we'll have rides at other locations on most Tuesdays. Other ride locations will include Moretown Elementary School, American Flatbread, Sugarbush Inn, and others. We'll keep you posted by email and on the website.
- New this year, we will be scheduling several special events and clinics throughout the season. This will include weekend rides, fun events, and special coaching sessions.
Riding Groups
Riders are placed into small groups of similarly skilled riders based on age, experience, and riding style. Communication with parents and guardians during the registration process is important to help us assign riders to the appropriate groups.
Don't worry if your child doesn't fit neatly into one of the groups described below. Sign them up based on age. The registration form allows you to add information about your kids' riding experience and preferences. There will be subgroups within the categories below; some will do mellower rides and some will do more challenging ones.
The Mad River Riders encourage all parents to participate and ride with their children; however, we understand that is not always possible. See the group descriptions below for guidance on parental involvement.
Striders:
- Generally age 2-4. Experience level: never ridden/beginner
- We request that a parent or guardian be present for the entire ride with their child/children.
- Strider rides will take place at Blueberry Lake, typically on Tootsie Roll, and in Moretown on the Nature Trail and Skills Park.
- Plan on a 30-60 minute outing, ensuring plenty of time for rest and play for our smallest riders.
- Please pack a snack, water, helmet, and a strider bike for your child.
- Schedule: Tuesday evenings from 5:30-7:00 PM
Pedalers
- Generally age 4-7. Experience level: beginner
- Usually separates into 2 groups: those just learning to pedal and those that have a little more comfort. Typically, riders in this group are striving to gain comfort with the basic mountain bike skills of braking, standing with equally-weighted pedals, shifting, and riding introductory singletrack mountain bike trails.
- The early learners may require parental supervision.
- Parents are asked to make a judgement call that their child is comfortable enough to ride without their presence before dropping them off.
- All Pedaler rides will be based at Blueberry Lake or Moretown.
- Schedule: Tuesday evenings from 5:30-7:00 PM
Cruisers
- Generally age 7-10. Experience level: beginner through intermediate
- Riders in this category should be comfortable riding a bike up to comfortable riding a variety of singletrack trails where they will encounter rocks, roots, and logs. These riders range from tentative to having a solid set of bike skills such as: controlled braking, front wheel lift, climbing (seated and standing), and leaning the bike into corners.
- Rides are based in various locations throughout the Valley trail network.
- Intermediate riding skill set. Rides will last 1-2 hours, depending on the sub group. The more advanced groups will climb and descend approximately 600 to 800 vertical feet.
- Riders are expected to consult the group schedule and meet at trailhead locations on time. Ride will depart no later than 15 minutes after the announced starting time.
- Scheduled Rides: Tuesday evenings from 5:30-7:30 PM
Flyers
- Generally age 11-13. Experience level: beginner through intermediate/advanced
- Comfortable on a bike up to comfortable riding a wide variety of singletrack trails.
- The more advanced subgroups within Flyers will climb more than 800 vertical feet per ride.
- Riders are expected to consult the group schedule and meet at trailhead locations on time. Rides will depart no later than 15 minutes after the announced starting time.
- Scheduled Rides: Tuesday evenings from 5:30-7:30 PM
Ride Guides
- This group is for teenagers that really like to ride and are interested in helping guide groups of younger kids along with an adult ride leader.
- Age 13 and up. Experience level: intermediate through advanced
- Able to be at ride locations on time or a little early to help.
- Have the option of taking a certification course in Wilderness First Aid and CPR. The course is free in exchange for helping guide younger groups approximately twice a month through the season.
- This group can also ride together as a group if their guiding services aren’t needed.
Ride Guide Benefits:
- Weekly community volunteerism opportunities: ride guides, website work, event planning
- Free or subsidized Wilderness First Aid Certification from Desert Mountain Medicine available. Details here: Course Information
- Qualified volunteers can enter VMBA volunteer raffle opportunities, potentially winning a new BIKE and other cool gear
- Potential for advancement to paid positions
- Additional bike maintenance and training opportunities
Are you interested? We need folks who are:
- Friendly, compassionate, and caring
- Passionate about mountain biking in the Mad River Valley
- Knowledgeable about local trails, have an intermediate MTB skill set
- Ready to help young people gain valuable skill sets
- Willing to help Mad River Valley youth gain access to more healthy outdoor recreational opportunities
- Available to help with Rides every Tuesday from 5:30 to 7:30 PM from May 24 through September (alternative times and locations as well).
To support the Rippers and the Riders and our growing network of 60 miles of trail, please consider joining the Mad River Riders and the Vermont Mountain Bike Association.
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