By Félix Burke

Traces of dust stick to the back of your sweaty neck as you drink some much-needed water. Behind you, an excruciatingly long fire-road climb. In front of you, a view that makes it all worth it…and a ribbon of single-track that will offer an adrenaline-fuelled descent back down to the valley. Nothing but hoots, hollers and high fives ahead!

We all have our reasons for riding, but the elements that make us fall for this sport are something we share. Trail Trybe, a bike camp for kids located in Mont-Tremblant, in the Laurentian mountains of Quebec, has been searching for the perfect combination of ingredients for an epic ride. Why? To develop the recipe for stoke, and cook up the next generation of passionate mountain bikers.

​​Stoked Riders: An organic recipe for getting young riders hooked on the taste of mountain biking

Ingredients

• 1 bicycle per person – well greased and tuned (20”, 24”, 26”,27.5” or 29” will work)
• 1 or more friends – happy and hungry for adventure
• 1 map of the area (sourced locally for best quality)
• 1-2 handfuls of tasty snacks and lots of water.
• Clothing and protection (reliable and comfortable)
• 1 challenging but attainable objective (e.g., the top of a mountain)

Instructions

Whisk together the group of friends and organize a meeting spot that will set the tone for the ride. Locations near rivers and lakes, close to jumps or a pump-track, or a short walk from a cold slurpy for post-ride refreshments are ideal.

Spread the map out so that the whole group can see. Each rider must be able to visualize the terrain they’ll be traveling through. Locate a distant, but-not-too-distant trail as your objective. Don’t choose an objective that will burn the group! Ideal temperature for the ride is between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius with a bit of humidity in the dirt but not in the air. A couple of days after heavy rain is usually best. If too hot, exhaustion will bring poor results and roasting. If too cold, discomfort may also lead to poor results.

Expect group morale to fall just prior to halfway to objective. Distance to travel still seems great but initial fatigue will have set in. This is a delicate stage in the process and, like a freshly baked pastry, must be handled with care. Overcoming challenges is what boosts confidence and confidence is crucial to igniting passion in young riders. Reassuring words about how far they’ve come and how great they’re doing are mixed in carefully here. Pay attention to the group and mix in only what is true and needed; kids know when you’re overdoing it. Keep cool with water as you ride.

Chef’s wisdom: Sugar! The mere thought of it can accelerate the group and boost morale. Season with candy and other tasty treats throughout the ride to help the group get through difficult sections.

Once you have made it to the objective, celebrate! Confidence comes from overcoming challenges. Make sure the group knows they have overcome a challenge and that they can be proud of themselves. Let spirits rise.

Chef’s wisdom: Golden hour (the hour before sunset) is the best time for creating epic ride experiences and delivering stoke straight to the soul!

The ride back is the home stretch and should be fun! Throw in some hoots, hollers and screams of delight as you descend or ride back. The auditory experience is important. Soon you should start to see a golden glow around the riders.

Chef’s wisdom: Begin to teach respect for our natural world by taking time to appreciate viewpoints, trees, rivers etc. This is good for everyone.

Once back from the ride, celebrate again! Have a cold slurpy, share stories from the ride and throw in some high-fives. You’ve done an epic ride; you should be stoked!

Every stoked kid is loaded with fibre, protein and a desire to live life to its fullest!

*Note: This recipe can be tricky. If you do not get the desired results on the first try, do not be discouraged. Listen and pay attention to your group and make the appropriate adjustments in the following attempts.

trailtrybe.com