Archives: Skills Instruction

Mountain Biking for Oldies Courses

Choose the course that covers the skill you want to work on, or do all three throughout the year. 30 years old is “old” for jumps, drops and bike park but no one will be checking ID, everyone is welcome! 🙂
Geared towards experienced riders who may have attempted some jumping and drops before, and are now ready to understand the fundamentals so skill development can happen safely.
Each course has a specific schedule, look through the details of each course for specifics. Each course has focused instruction covering body movements, anatomy of a features and merciless practice with individual and video feedback (and more practice).

Cog Wild’s professional mountain bike coaches are trained to help you become a more confident and skilled rider. Oakridge has great terrain for skill building: switchbacks, flow trails and steep tech trails. Whether you are looking for fundamentals, downhill specific lessons or flow skills, we have the coaches and terrain for you.

Private lessons are available daily for individuals and small groups. Come for the day or make a skills clinic part of your trip.

Private Skills Lessons

Mountain biking becomes more fun as skill improves; take a private lesson with one of our PMBI certified coaches. Choose from full or half day options for individuals and small private groups.

Our coaches have experience instructing all skill levels. Lessons focus on what the client needs, which typically includes fundamental skills, technical trail riding with rocks, roots and switchbacks, rollers, jumps and cornering.

HALF DAY PRIVATE SKILLS

Choose 10:30 am or 12:30 pm start time. Typical duration is up to 3.5 hours.

• Solo rider: $240
• 2 riders: $125 per person
• 3 or more: $95 per person
• For any group or individual looking to increase their skills and confidence. First timer to advanced rider, we can accomodate anyone.
• Detailed, personalized feedback
• Includes snacks, Cog Wild water bottle, transportation during the lesson and post lesson cold beverages.

Book Half Day Lesson

Full DAY PRIVATE SKILLS

9:00 start time with a duration of at least 5 hours.

• Solo Rider: $320
• 2 riders: $165 per person
• 3 or more: $125 per person
• For grops or individuals with some riding experience, from intermediate to advanced, a full day will give us time to deep dive into mountain biking skills
• Skills will be introduced and developed through drills and games during trail riding and feature sessioning
• Detailed, personalized feedback
• Includes lunch, snacks, Cog Wild water bottle, transportation during the lesson and post lesson cold beverages.

Book Full Day Lesson

Oakridge Mountain Bike Coaches

Lev Stryker

Lev is Cog Wild’s head skills coach. Lev loves going fast downhill, and as a high level skills coach, he can break down the nitty gritty of becoming a faster/smoother rider.

Qualifications

• PMBI Level 2 Instructor
• PMBI Level 1 Coach Course Conductor
• Wilderness First Responder

Dennis Sibilia Young

A major passion for Dennis is introducing people to mountain bike skills-and introducing them to the joy of riding Oakridge trails. His focus is on fundamentals and intermediate skills for new riders, families and seniors.

Qualifications

• PMBI Level 1 Instructor
• NICA Level 3 coach and National Trainer
• Wilderness First Aid certified

Kenny Stone

Kenny is an Oakridge local who knows the trails well and loves to teach. A vetern, Kenny is a founder of Soldiers on Singletrack and travels the country coaching and supporting veterns to manage mental health through mountain biking.

Qualifications

• PMBI Level 2 Instructor
• First Aid Certified

Eugene Cathcart

Eugene is a long time Oakridge rider and loves to ride all kinds of bikes from gravel to e-bikes. He is a talented rider and has competed in cross country, endurance events, enduro races and loves to share his passion for mountain biking with riders of all levels, including the Oakridge NICA composite team.

Qualifications

• PMBI Level 1 Instructor
• NICA Level 2 coach
• Wilderness First Aid certified

FAQ

Can I use my own bike?

Yes! Your own mountain bike is best because you are used to it, but we can get you a mountain bike if needed.

I have been riding for a long time, what can you teach me?

Our coaches have lots of experience with all skill levels. For more advanced riders, we can work on technical trail riding, jumps and high speed cornering.

I would like more than a one-day clinic. Do you offer anything?

We recommend doing more than one skills clinic or add day tours to enhance your riding experience. If you are in town for a few weeks, check out our skills progression sessions.

Cog Wild offers a variety of mountain bike and gravel skills instruction from private instruction to multi-week group instruction, after school and summer camp skills for youth and advanced skill instruction at Mt. Bachelor’s Bike Park.

Cog Wild takes pride in our coaches and strives to have the best skills program for adults. With trainings and certification courses throughout the year, they are ready with the latest methods to teach mountain biking. Everyone benefits from mastering the fundamentals, getting personalized feedback, and working with the coaches to enhance your skills!

Mountain Bike Group Class Progression Sessions

Join like minded riders for Level 1 and Level 2 of our very popular Progression Sessions. Three weeks of mountain bike skills, meeting Monday afternoons throughout the season.

Progression Session Info

Mountain Biking for Oldies

For the experienced rider, age 30+, who didn’t get around to bigger manuevers when youth was on their side. Three Courses specifically for those who want to learn Jumps, Drops and Bike Park riding

oldies Courses

Gravel Bike Skills Sessions

Gain confidence and capacity to ride your gravel bike with a variety of multi session group lessons with Cog Wild & Special Blend Gravel.

Gravel group skills sessions

Private Skills Lesson

For riders of all abilities. A private lesson is for individuals or small groups looking for personalized coaching classes. Great for beginners looking to ride with confidence or experienced riders looking to push their skills.

Private Skills Lesson INFO

Junior & Youth

Check out Cascadia Junior Cycling for junior-specific summer camps, mountain bike clubs & race teams.

Cascadia Junior Cycling

FAQ for Skills Instruction

Can I use my own bike?

Yes! Your own mountain bike is best because you are used to it and you’ll likely ride it after the lesson. If you’d like to try a different bike we have DEMO BIKES for rent.

If doing a downhill lesson at Mt. Bachelor, please contact Mt. Bachelor directly to reserve a rental.

What can you teach me?

Our coaches have lots of experience with all skill levels: beginners and intermediate riders really learn a lot from our skills lessons and tours. For more advanced riders, our instructors ensure your fundamentals are solid, then move into more advanced skills like drops and jumps, and maneuvers on technical terrain like rock gardens and higher speed corners.

I would like more than a one-day clinic

For central Oregon locals, we recommend our Progression Sessions for multi-week clinics. Additionally, we can schedule multiple private lessons or full day tours with a guide or skills instructor to enhance your riding abilities.

Master the trails with Cog Wild’s Multi-Week Progression Sessions

Join Cog Wild’s progression sessions to improve your mountain bike skills with like minded riders in Bend. Mountain bike skills instruction for adults. Multiple coaches per session will create groups based on ability level.

Cog Wild’s coaches have advanced coaching certifications and are highly trained to guide your progression, wherever you are on your mountain biking journey. If group lessons aren’t your thing, we also offer half and full day private skills sessions in both Bend and Oakridge and at Mt. Bachelor’s Bike Park.

Progression Session Level 1

For entry level riders who want to gain confidence and improve stability and balance on a mountain bike through an intentionally laid out series of lessons.

The experience

Rider Level

Progression Session Level 1 is designed for beginner to intermediate riders who have some experience and are ready to short cut the learning curve with intentional instruction.

The Experience

• The classes meet at Cog Wild’s location at LOGE Bend. On day 1 we use trails close to our location. On the subsequent two days we shuttle up and ride the trails for skill sessions.
• Three 2+  hour mountain bike lessons led by certified skills coaches with the same cohort.
• Each lesson builds upon skills learned during the prior session. Please plan to attend all three sessions.
• Complimentary Deschutes Brewery beer, Polar Seltzer or Humm Kombucha  to close up the final session.

Schedule

2025 Level 1 Sessions, Mondays at 5pm:
April 21st, 28th, May 5
May 12th, 19th, May 26th (Memorial Day)
8am start: June 30th, July 7th, 14th
8am start: August 11th, 18th, 25th
5pm start: September 8th, 15th, 22nd

Location

Progression Sessions Level 1 meets at Cog Wild’s location at LOGE Bend. We will ride different trails each week, riding from Cog or using a van

Pricing

• $275 for three 2.5 hour sessions of intentionally planned mountain bike skills instruction for adults

Join a Level 1 Progression Session

Progression Session Level 2

For intermediate riders who are ready to tackle drops, jumps and faster corners. Dive into the details of higher level riding.

The experience

Rider Level

Progression Session Level 2 is designed for intermediate riders who want to get better at drops, jumps, advanced cornering and higher trail speeds.

The Experience

• The classes meet at Cog Wild’s location at LOGE Bend. We’ll go to different trails west of Bend each week based on the focus of the lesson.
• Three 2+  hour mountain bike lessons led by certified skills coaches with the same cohort.
• Each lesson builds upon skills learned during the prior session. Please plan to attend all three sessions.
• Complimentary Deschutes Brewery beer, Polar Seltzer or Humm Kombucha  to close up the final session.

Schedule

2025 Level 2 Sessions, Mondays at 5pm:
April 21st, 28th, May 5
May 12th, 19th, May 26th (Memorial Day)
8am start: June 30th, July 7th, 14th
8am start: August 11th, 18th, 25th
5pm start: September 8th, 15th, 22nd

Location

Progression Sessions Level 2 meets at Cog Wild’s location at LOGE Bend. We will ride different trails each week, riding from Cog or using a van

Pricing

• $275 for three 2.5 hour sessions of intentionally planned mountain bike skills instruction for adults

Join a Level 2 Progression Session

COGWILD SKILLS CLINICS – PROMO from JAYMOVISION on Vimeo.

Ride Mt. Bachelor’s Bike Park with confidence after a lesson with a certified mountain bike coach. Cog Wild partners with Mt Bachelor to offer advanced downhill mountain bike skills clinics for solo riders or private groups. Please inquire for a Mt. Bachelor skills lesson.

COGWILD SKILLS CLINICS – PROMO from JAYMOVISION on Vimeo.

Cog Wild’s professional mountain bike coaches will help you become a more confident and skilled rider. Sign up for a full or half-day private skills clinic by yourself or with friends so that you are ready to tackle any challenge on the trail.

Interested in conquering Mt. Bachelor’s downhill park? Check out our Mt. Bachelor skills page here. 

COGWILD SKILLS CLINICS – PROMO from JAYMOVISION on Vimeo.