Give the Gift of A Mountain Biking Experience
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Give the Gift of A Mountain Biking Experience
If you’re like me, you love the holidays, but you hate the trend of over-consumerism. The holidays have become an excuse to buy stuff that we don’t need, stuff that will end up in the landfill in a few years, stuff that wastes money and our earth’s precious resources, etc… I’m not trying to sound like a Grinch – I do think that gift-giving can be wonderful and yes, we do need practical stuff, but honestly I’d rather receive an experience rather than a thing (unless that thing is a bike… in that case, keep them coming…).
So this year, instead of buying your mountain biking friend or significant something they probably already have (trust me, they have it), gift them a mountain biking experience! Below are a few ideas.
Coaching certification Course
Think your pal would make a good mountain bike coach? Gift them a coaching certification course! There are two main organizations that offer internationally recognized courses: PMBIA and BICP. Level 1 courses are held throughout the year at dozens of locations all over the world. The courses are not exactly cheap, but maybe you can solicit a few private lessons out of the gift…
Cost: Around $500 for a three-day level 1 course
Image from PMBIA.org
A Multi-day Mountain bike trip
I would be your friend forever if you gifted me a multi-day mountain bike trip ? Let’s be friends?
If riding in amazing locations, eating the best food, drinking the best wine, and not having to worry about logistics sounds like the ultimate vacation to you (or your partner), then sign on up now! Choose from a number of different tour operators like H+I Adventures, Haku Expeditions, Sacred Rides, World Ride, Western Spirit, and Escape Adventures.
Cost: Several $k depending on the trip
Where do you want ride in 2020???
Skills clinic
Skills Clinics are a great way to improve skills and fitness for any level of rider. There’s clinics and camps for beginner shredders as well as more advanced courses for those wanting to get comfortable in the air or practice their cornering techniques.
Cost: Anywhere from $19/month for Ryan Leech’s online tutorials to $395 for a two-day camp with Trek Dirt Series
Below are a few organizations that offer Camps and Clinics throughout the US.
A High performance Demo
Demoing a high performance bike can be a game changer when it comes to progressing as a mountain biker. The upside is that you instantly feel like a badass mountain biker, but the downside is that you’re probably going to shell out a ridiculous amount of money when you realize what you’ve been missing out on…
Most large bike shops offer high performance demos from brands like Santa Cruz, Specialized, Trek, Pivot, Devinci, etc…
Cost: Rates vary from $40 a day up to $80+.
If your friend or SO is heading out on a mountain bike trip in the near future with their old two-wheeled rig, why not surprise them with a few days of Cadillac cruising?
A MTB park pass
The MTB Park Pass is a nifty way to explore mountain bike parks across the US. With over 40 resorts participating in the deal, the pass allows you to roll up to your bucket list mtb park and hop on the lift without needing to wait in line to purchase pricy lift tickets.
Note that the MTB Park Pass has a limit of how many days you can spend in one park, but if you’re headed out on a road trip or you plan to do a lot of traveling over the mountain biking season, this is pass a great option.
Cost: the 2020 Park Pass is $349.99
Alternatively, you could gift a park pass to your pal’s local mountain bike resort. Mine is Mammoth Mountain, FYI.
Bike Maintenance classes
A bike maintenance class is a great gift idea for any mountain biker wanting to learn how to fix and maintain their own rig. Bike shops are handy, but it can get expensive to bring your bike in every time you need a new chain or the shifting is off.
REI offers basic bike maintenance classes as do many local bike shops via Park Tool School
Cost: anywhere from Free to $200+ for a comprehensive course
Have you given or received a mountain bike experience?
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