Bikeskills North Carolina offers clinics, camps, guided tours and one-on-one training. We focus on mastering basic skills and maneuvers to provide a solid foundation that will allow riders to progress efficiently and effectively. We also advocate for the expansion of mountain bike trails and support local, state and national mountain bike clubs in trail maintenance, trail building and trail education. Bikeskills North Carolina provides training to law enforcement, fire departments, local governments and non-profit organizations. We have five certified instructors strategically placed throughout North Carolina to meet the ongoing needs of mountain biking. Currently, we are offering two mountain bike clinics:
1) Mountain Bike Basics
2) Mountain Bike Progression
Mountain Bike Basics clinic is designed to provide new riders with the skills they need to enhance their riding technique and provide a confident and all-around fun riding experience. Our Mountain Bike Basics clinic will provide new riders with a solid foundation and understanding of several basic bike skills. Topics touch on include:
I. Bike check
- Bike fit & Ergonomics
- Safety Check
II. Rules /Trail Etiquette
III. Body Position/Balance
- Neutral Position
- Ready Position
IV. Climbing and Descending
V. Operation of Controls
- Braking
- Shifting
- Dropper Post
VI. Terrain Awareness
Mountain Bike Progression clinic is designed around the rider who is comfortable on the bike, but looking to take their riding to the next level. The clinic will examine basic skills in further detail and the progression of learning and utilizing maneuvers will begin.
I. Bike check
- Bike fit
- Safety Check
II.Rules /Trail Etiquette
III. Direction Control
- Cornering
- Maintaining a line
IV. Maneuvers
- Front wheel lift
- Rear wheel lift
- Bunny hop
V. Technical Climbing and Descending
- Roll down
- Drops
- Climbing front wheel lift
VI. Slow speed balance control
If you are in the Piedmont Triad Area of North Carolina contact:
Jason Jenkins at JasonJ@Bikeskills.com
If you are in the Charlotte Metro Area of North Carolina contact:
Scott Brown at ScottB@Bikeskills.com
If You are in the Foothills of North Carolina contact:
Michael Van Buren at MichaelVB@Bikeskills.com
If you are in the High Country of North Carolina contact:
Clay Sulik at ClayS@Bikeskills.com
If you are in the Western Mountains of North Carolina contact:
Shawn Jenkins SJenkins@Bikeskills.com
Michael Van Buren
Michael starting biking in elementary school racing his Mongoose Californian at the Thunder Island BMX Track in Central New York. After finishing his career as a college athlete, Michael sought out mountain biking as a means to stay in shape. He has been riding mountain bikes and supporting MTB organizations since 2003. When Michael is not involved with mountain biking he is prosecuting sexual assault and homicide cases. He has been a prosecutor for 15 years and lives in Hickory, North Carolina. Michael is a PMBI Level I Mountain Bike Instructor.
Jason Jenkins
Jason began mountain biking in 2003, and has enjoyed everything from cross country riding to downhill riding. As a PMBI Level I Mountain Bike Instructor, he enjoys having the opportunity to assist others in taking their riding to the next level. Jason serves on the board of his local trail building organization and is active in building, maintaining, and advocating for new trail systems. Jason is a career Firefighter in the city of High Point, North Carolina where he has served his community for the past 18 years. He is also an EMT and serves on the fire department bike team.
Shawn Jenkins
Shawn started cross country mountain biking to promote a healthier lifestyle. After moving to Asheville, NC, he switched to enduro mountain biking and has enjoyed more aggressive trail riding. Mountain biking has grown into more than just a hobby for Shawn. He is now a PMBI level I Mountain Bike Instructor. Shawn has worked in the non-profit sector as a Director of Development in both the medical and conservation fields since graduating college.
Clay Sulik
Clay began riding and racing mountain bikes in middle school in the early nineties. In college he was a raft guide and snowboard racer and instructor. Clay enjoys the opportunity to guide and teach enthusiastic riders fun and new ways to enjoy the sport. For the past two years Clay has been a full time trail and bridge builder as part owner of Blue Ridge Trail Works. He is also a PMBI Level I Mountain Bike Instructor and lives in Blowing Rock, North Carolina.
Scott Brown
Scott converted his Schwinn banana seat bike into a BMX bike in the 70s. In the 80s he bought his first mountain bike, an 86′ Specialized Rockhopper Comp and fell in love with the sport. Scott has purchased and built numerous mountain bikes over the past thirty years. Over the past nine years, Scott has volunteered doing trail work and trail maintenance for local mountain bike trail systems in the area around Statesville, North Carolina. Scott now is part owner of a trail and bridge building company, Blue Ridge Trail Works, and has been building trails full time for the past four years. Scott is a PMBI Level I Mountain Bike Instructor.