Fun and Games
Sometimes, the best way to practice is to have a little fun! If you have a good group of mountain bikers, try out some of the following games to build skills in group communication, braking, body position and more!
MTB Alaskan Baseball
OBJECTIVES: Students demonstrate proper and swift braking, dismounting and speed strategies, as well as teamwork.
SETTING: An open space
GEAR: A rubber chicken
PROCEDURE: Split the group into two teams. One team dismounts their bike (save for one member of the team) and holds onto them as they get into a very tight circle. The person outside of the circle has the rubber chicken in hand, and shouts “Chicken!” before throwing the chicken in any direction. They then proceed to bike in circles around their group as fast as they can, counting every lap they’re doing out loud as they bike around. Meanwhile, the other group mounts their bikes and goes after the chicken. When they arrive at the chicken, they must brake and dismount in a line. The goal is to be in a perfect line tire to tire, but depending on their dismounting strategy, they may be off. No matter where they land, they must stay there once they touch the ground. When they’re all off their bikes, they begin to pass the chicken down the line, with the first person tossing the chicken over their shoulder, and the next person hiking the chicken through between their legs. When it gets to the last person in line, they keep the chicken and the rest of the group gets into a tight circle, and the person yells “Chicken” before throwing the chicken, and the process changes so that the group that was doing laps has to mount and go for the chicken. The team with the most laps by the end wins. Game goes 9 innings like a baseball game or until everyone has a chance to do laps for their team.
Ask what strategies worked and what they would do differently. If they are conscious of their dismounting and mounting, as well as their attack positions, gear shifting and teamwork skills, then the objectives have been made.
MTB Simon Says
OBJECTIVES: Participants will be able to demonstrate that they are comfortable around and spatially aware of their bikes.
SETTING: Should be a wide open space, not a narrow path. Obstacles can be present.
PROCEDURE:
Simon Says:
- Put on helmet
- Get on the cheap side of the bike
- Get on the expensive side of the bike
- Do step one of the mounting process (put pedals at 9 and 3)
- Do step two of the mounting process (press the brakes)
- Do step 3 of the mounting process (put your foot on 3)
- Finish mounting the bike (push off)
- Bike in a circle
- Do one or two positional things
- Ready position
- Attack position
- Being as far back in the bike as you can
- Being as far forward in the bike as you can
- Be as far to the left of the bike as you can
- Be as far to the right of the bike as you can
- Hit the obstacle
- Maneuver around obstacle
- Dismount bike by swinging left leg over
- Dismount bike by swinging right leg over
Go for a bit until everyone demonstrates and showcases that they are comfortable with all the commands.
Ruler of the Round Boi
OBJECTIVES: Participants will be able to demonstrate that they are able to control their bikes without bumping into obstacles or other riders by using strategies that one can do with different bike adjustments and movements.
SETTING: An open space
GEAR: cones, a whistle, a timer
PROCEDURE: The cones are in a circle about 12-15 feet in circumference depending on how large your group is. Split the group into teams (number of teams depends on number of players and personal preference). The task is simple: Be the group with the most people in the circle when the time is up. Anyone who bumps into someone is disqualified, and anyone who falls off their bike is also disqualified. When the time is up, everyone must immediately dismount, and any that do not are also disqualified.
Go through a couple rounds and ask people what they are doing to stay in the circle (strategies you’re looking for are downshifting, standing off their seat, constantly going in and out of the circle, leaning to the side, criss-crossing the cones, and, most importantly, teamwork).