Mountain Bike Coaching Questions & Answers
Lake Tahoe MTB Lessons FAQ
This guide covers everything you need to know about our mountain bike coaching services—from booking and cancellation policies to what gear to bring and safety protocols. We've compiled the most common questions to help you prepare for a successful coaching experience.
General Questions & MTB Trail Safety
Find answers to common questions about what to bring, what to expect, and how we ensure your safety on every ride. We've gathered the most frequently asked questions from our riders to help you prepare for a great experience on the trails.
Can I ride my eMTB?
Yes. I can coach you on your eMTB. E-Bikes are more aggressive and weigh more, so timing and response needs to be quick and precise when riding them. I can help you with those skills. Please note that due to trail restrictions, certain trails may be off limits when riding your eMTB.
Do you offer guided tours?
No, we are a mountain bike coaching company & do not offer guided tours. You may ride trails that are new to you, but our primary objective is to improve your bike skills.
Do you rent bikes?
No, we are a mountain bike coaching company & do not offer bike rentals. If you are looking for a mountain bike to rent, try our friends at Tahoe EBikes.
Food & Water
- Water bottle/hydration pack & a snack
- Backpack with lunch for 4+ hr sessions
How long will my session be?
Coaching session lengths vary. Our sessions range from two hours to six hours depending on rider choice.
How will we communicate during the ride?
I will be riding alongside or behind you providing instruction. We will also stop, talk & evaluate trail sections.
Medical
- Any emergency medications (inhaler, EpiPen® etc)
- A signed Asthma action plan (if applicable)
- A signed Allergy action plan (if applicable)
- A signed waiver
- Emergency Medical Info Cards are highly recommended for MTB riders
Mountain Bike
- Disc brakes & suspension recommended
- eMTB’s are welcome
- No coaster brakes, backpedal brakes or kickstands please
- Please do a quick bike check before the session (tire pressure, brakes work, chain is lubed & quick releases are tight)
- Please note that we do not provide bikes or equipment.
Protective Wear
- Helmet* (full face on Black Diamond Trails*)
- Full Finger Gloves*
- Knee Pads*
- Elbow Pads
- Eye protection; glasses or goggles
- Shoes (Closed-toed & flat soled. Skate shoes are better than sneakers)
- Chest/Back/Neck Protection is optional
- * = Required Items
- Please note that we do not provide bikes or equipment.
Waiver policy
ALL RIDERS MUST SIGN A WAIVER. Mountain biking carries a level of risk to the rider. YOU ASSUME THE RISK while riding. Remember, even when riding with a coach, don’t ride anything you are unsure of without inspecting it first.
Weather Dependent
- Sunscreen (please pre-apply)
- Bug Repellent
- A layer of warm clothes
- A waterproof jacket
What level of bike riding expertise do I need?
I can cater for all levels from new rider to experienced racers looking to improve their race times. Coaching sessions are personalized and are dependent on your riding experience.
What should I bring on the ride?
Bring water, snacks, a spare tube and anything else you would usually take on a ride. I carry a small tool kit but it helps if you have your own. If you need any emergency medication; asthma inhaler, epi-pen etc please carry these with you!
What will I learn?
Our number one goal is to make you feel comfortable on your bike. We want you to ride safely and utilize progression techniques that allow you to tackle more challenging terrain and features.
Skills covered in a session may include: Braking, shifting & gear selection, cornering, manuals, jumping, drops, looking up the trail, checking out new features before riding them, slow speed balance, switchbacks, dismounts, moving off the trail, moving onto the trail, cone work, drills, feet position, body position, bike/body separation and more.
Where will we be riding?
Coaching sessions take place in the North Lake Tahoe or Reno area. Out of state/area can be arranged for additional travel fees.
An important note about your safety
Mountain Biking is a fun & exhilarating sport, but there are risks and dangers associated with participation in Mountain Biking events and activities which could result in bodily injury, disability, paralysis and death. These photos are real crashes our students have had!
If you want to ride with us HELMETS ARE REQUIRED AT ALL TIMES. A half shell is the minimum requirement but we strongly recommend a full-face helmet. Full finger gloves & knee pads are also required.
Participants are responsible for the maintenance and care of their bike prior to & during our ride. We can help you set up your bike for optimal riding and help with suspension settings. Please note that this will count towards your session time.
All members of your riding group must sign the Waiver prior to riding.
Our Booking and Cancellation Policies
Please take a moment to review these important guidelines before making your reservation. Understanding our policies helps avoid any unexpected issues and allows us to better serve all our customers. For specific questions about your booking or cancellation, please get in touch.
We do not provide bikes or equipment.
Age range for child lessons
- We can coach children from age 6 and up.
- The cutoff age for our “Kids Coaching” products is Kids aged under 12.
- Participants (riders) must be able to ride standing up for 300+ feet and be able to ride uphill.
- Our coaching focuses on developing mountain bike skills – participants must already be comfortable riding a bike independently. While we create a fun learning environment, we are a coaching service focused on skill development, not a childcare service.
- For the best experience, please ensure your child meets the riding requirements and shows enthusiasm for learning mountain bike skills – this helps create an engaging and productive session for everyone.
How do I pay?
You may pay online with any major credit or debit card at the time of booking. If you prefer, you can book over the phone and pay me on the day. I can accept cash, PayPal, Venmo & Apple Pay for in person payments.
Inclement weather policy
Coaching sessions & Camps are rain or shine. If you choose not to ride due to bad weather, the session is not refundable.
Late pickup policy
- Our Coaching Sessions end on time & we leave time at the end to discuss your child’s progress. We ask that you arrive at the designated meeting point on time so we can have the post session discussion & not impact the client following your session.
- For all children not picked up by the end of the session, a charge of $30 for every fifteen (15) minutes after the session end time will be incurred.
- Recurring late pickup may result in cancellation of future sessions.
- After your third late occurrence we reserve the right to cancel all future sessions & terminate our relationship.
- If you are running late, please notify the coach and attempt to make alternate pick-up arrangements.
- When a child is not picked up in emergency situations including, but not limited to: inclement weather or natural disasters, we will follow the above “late pickup” policy starting 45 minutes from when the parent has been informed of the need for children to be picked-up.
Lesson booking/cancellation policy
- Everyone in your party must sign a waiver. No waiver? No ride!
- Please note that due to the limited availability of sessions, permit and insurance fees, travel arrangements for coaches and expenses to get to a session, we require 4 weeks notice for all cancellations. Cancellations within 4 weeks will be subject to a 50% session fee. We are happy to apply your deposit as a credit towards any other session in the current year as long as that session is not already booked.
- If a participant has purchased our optional ‘Booking Protection’ with their session, they can cancel and receive a full refund or reschedule to any available date within the current year. We require at least 48 hours’ notice before the session. Please note that ‘Booking Insurance’ only applies to the individual participant who purchased it and does not extend to a group based on the status of one rider. Additionally, please be aware that ‘Booking Protection’ is not an insurance product and does not cover you for injury, death, disability or other losses.
- In the event of rain or other inclement weather we will reschedule your lesson (season dependent) and/or provide a credit (if prepaid) applicable toward any future lesson.
- Participants (riders) must be able to ride standing up for 300+ feet and be able to ride uphill.
- We do not “teach kids how to ride a bike”, we develop mountain bike skills in kids and adults who can already ride a bike.
- We reserve the right to cancel any lesson for any reason we see fit, including but not limited to: rider ability, rider safety, equipment safety/condition. In the event of such a cancellation, a full refund (if prepaid) for any unused session(s) will be given to all registered participants.
- Please note that we do not provide bikes or equipment.
Safety equipment policy
- HELMETS ARE REQUIRED AT ALL TIMES. A half shell is the minimum requirement but a full-face helmet is strongly recommended. A full face helmet is required when riding Black Diamond trails.
- Full finger gloves & knee pads are required.
- Elbow pads, chest/back/neck protection is optional
- Eye protection is strongly recommended.
- Please note that we do not provide bikes or equipment.
Summer Camp booking & cancellation policy
- Every camp participant must have a signed Waiver. No waiver? No ride!
- Please note that Camp Deposits are non-refundable. We are happy to apply your registration fee as a credit towards any other camp in a year as long as that camp is not already full.
- Camp booking closes ONE WEEK before camp. If rider minimum is not met we reserve the right to cancel the camp and will issue a full refund.
- If you need to make a change to your upcoming booking, please contact us right away.
- In the event of rain or other inclement weather in the riding area we may reschedule your camp (season dependent) and/or provide a credit (if prepaid) applicable toward any future camp or lesson.
- Participants (riders) must be able to ride standing up for 300+ feet and be able to ride uphill.
- We do not “teach kids how to ride a bike”, we develop mountain bike skills in kids and adults who can already ride a bike.
- We reserve the right to cancel any camp for any reason we see fit. In the event of such a cancellation, a full refund (if prepaid) will be given to all registered participants.
- Please note that we do not provide bikes or equipment.
Waiver policy
ALL RIDERS MUST SIGN A WAIVER. Mountain biking carries a level of risk to the rider. YOU ASSUME THE RISK while riding. Remember, even when riding with a coach, don’t ride anything you are unsure of without inspecting it first.
What is Booking Protection?
Booking protection allows you to cancel your booking and receive a full refund or reschedule to any available date within the current year, provided you give at least 48 hours’ notice. This protection is per person, not per booking, and applies only to the individual who made the purchase. It is not a regulated insurance product, meaning it does not cover injury, death, disability, or other losses. Please note that our standard cancellation policy requires 4 weeks’ notice.
It's time to send it! Let's get you out on the trails
Our Lake Tahoe MTB Lessons
Lessons from $220+
Lessons from $160+
Lessons from $285+
Our Credentials & Contact Information
Have questions about our coaching qualifications or business details? We want to make sure you have all the information you need before getting on the trail with us. Here, you'll find answers about our experience, certifications, and other important business details.
Are you Licenced & Insured?
Yes, our licence number is NV20181813655. We are insured by AdventSure Insurance.
Do you have a current background check?
Yes. The safety of you & your children is my #1 concern at all times.
Do you have First-Aid training?
Yes, I am Wilderness First Responder Certified. My certificate can be viewed here & it expires on 08/03/2025
How long have you been coaching?
I have been professionally coaching for 12 years and riding for over 16. I have logged over 7000 hours of professional coaching.
What are your coaching credentials?
I am a BICP level 1, 2 and 3 certified mountain bike coach. Level 3 is the highest offered and is particularly difficult to obtain. There are currently around 20 ICP Level 3 Coaches in The World.
What is your business address?
Ronnie’s Battle Born Prodigies LLC, 3870 Corvallis Drive, Reno, NV 89511
What is your email address?
What is your phone number?