Written by Brett SHARETWEET

Video – Blue Velvet

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Blue Velvet - Mountain Biking With Kids

This is a glimpse of what happened when we took our youngest son on Blue Velvet in Whistler BC for the first time. This trail is in the Garbanzo Zone of the Whistler Bike Park.

Do you feel like this when you ride? I know I certainly do. Your skill level doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter how old you are. This is one of the things that brings us all together and makes mountain biking so special.

Blue Velvet Trail Overview – Whistler Bike Park

Blue Velvet is an intermediate rated trail located on the upper part of Whistler Mountain in the Garbonzo zone. This trail is a wide machine build trail that features huge berms, step descents, and fun jumps. Because Blue Velvet includes a combination of long descents (steep in places) and occasional rough loose surfaces you should have some experience before you attempt it.

Why Whistler?

Whistler, BC has become one of our favorite family mountain bike destinations. First, you get world class lift-served riding at the Whistler Bike Park. Second, you can find miles of super fun family friendly trails in the Lost Lake area.  Third, Squamish is less than an hour away!  Check out our Destinations and Trails page for more videos.

For more videos like this, follow MTBwithKids on Instagram or Facebook

Written by Traci SHARETWEET

My Trek Dirt Series Experience

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Trek Dirt Series Review

I had heard many great things about the Trek Dirt Series but I was a bit nervous to sign-up. The main reason I was hesitant to register was that I was afraid of jumps and drops. The last time there was air under my tires, I ended up head over handlebars with 2 broken ribs. Since that time, I had healed and enjoyed mountain biking while always keeping the tires on the ground. I am so glad that I did not let my fear stop me from participating in the clinic.

It was amazing. I had fun and learned a ton of new skills. The coaches were friendly, patient, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. There were enough coaches (1:6 coach to participant ratio) to get individual feedback. Each participant was encouraged to step outside her comfort zone a bit, but each woman chose her level of challenge.

Day One

Registration was well organized. Participants that rented gear were fitted to their bikes. Coffee and bagels were provided. After registration we headed over to a park-like area with a large grassy field and hill behind an elementary school.

Getting Started

We started with 20-minutes of yoga to warm-up and stretch. After that, the coaches divided us into appropriate skill level groups using the questionnaires we had filled out ahead of time. Skill sessions addressed both “flow” and technical skills including drops, skinnies, switchbacks, front wheel lift, rear wheel lift, fast turns, and more.

Skills Sessions on the Grass

The skills sessions were extremely well planned to allow each participant to work at her own pace through the progressions. The progressions in the skills sessions allowed me to start on a “drop” the size of a curb, so I didn’t think twice about that. As we sessioned the curb sized “drop”, the coach gave tips and pointers on how to appropriately “preload” for a drop. This was a light-bulb moment for me – I had no idea there was supposed to be a preload before a drop… having the knowledge that there was something in my control about drops, made them much less scary for me.

After several rounds of applying the skills, and receiving tips to help get my timing right, I decided that I would be able to try the next level drop – only about 12 inches, but still intimidating. Although I was a bit scared, I tried it using the skills I used on the small drop and was successful. By the time the session was over, I even did the largest drop!

Hitting the Trail

Following lunch (delicious locally made sandwiches and salads), each level group headed out to ride. Our group rode well together. We had a great time and stopped to session drops and turns while the coach gave us tips and encouragement. It was a fun afternoon. Our group had started to feel like friends – encouraging each other, laughing together and celebrating when someone tried something challenging. We had one fall when we were out riding. One woman slid out and scraped her arm. The coach bandaged her up quickly and made sure she was ok to continue riding.

Day Two

The second day was set up the same way, skills in the morning and then we headed out to ride the trails.

More Practice = Closer to Perfect

My group worked on tight turns in the morning on the grass hill. “Keep your head up, look through the turn to the exit”. This skill was new but not too difficult on the grass, but when we went out on the trails, most of us were struggling on the tight turns on the trails. Our coach stopped us on one corner and we practiced several times. It was getting easier, but I still didn’t feel super comfortable looking past the rocky apex of the turn.

However, that trail practice session made a huge difference. For the rest of the ride, I focused on keeping my eyes up and looking 15-20 feet ahead on the trail at each turn. By the end of the day, I was turning better than I ever had before. It felt great!

I loved Trek Dirt Series!

I highly recommend the Trek Dirt series. It was well organized with a supportive group vibe and excellent coaches. I learned so much that I came home and set up some of the drills for my family in the park!

Written by Brett SHARETWEET

Dakine Shuttle 6L Hydration Pack

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Dakine Shuttle 6L Hydration Pack

A Hydration Pack For Kids

Our family refers to the modern hydration pack accessory as a “bike bag”. For instance: “Wait. You forgot your bike bag?” Or, “Why the hell is your bike bag so heavy?” And, when we’re road trippin’… “Hey! We’re not there yet because we have to make a pee stop every half hour. Why do you keep drinking from your bike bag?!” See? It just doesn’t roll off the tongue with the same eloquence. Maybe we’re too lazy to utter those additional syllables that give the Dakine Shuttle 6L Hydration Pack its due.

  • Dakine Shuttle 6L Hydration Pack - wearing it
  • Dakine Shuttle 6L - inside
  • Dakine Shuttle 6L - back
  • Dakine Shuttle 6L - zipper detial

My younger son really likes his Hydration Pack. Why? Simply because it fits him and it doesn’t hold that much stuff once you have a 2-liter water bladder in there. Sure, there’s still plenty of room for a decent sized knife or small machete, rocks, billions of bullet casings and shotgun shells, stinky old animal bones, and oddly shaped- sharp metal debris he scavenges while on a ride. But, these were designed to fit women. The shortened height/length of the pack and its narrow girth fit my 10 year old, 65 lb kid like tread on tires.

Features of the Dakine Shuttle 6L Hydration Pack

  • Size: about 17 in. tall x 7.5 in. wide
  • Holds a 2L / 70 oz. water bladder
  • Breathable air mesh back panel and shoulder straps
  • Fleece sunglass pocket
  • Removable waist belt with plastic buckle

The zipper tabs/pulls have thin nylon cord looped through them with an additional molded plastic grip so your womprat can get to their snacks with gloves on. The mesh shoulder straps are quite breathable and durable. For additional comfort, there’s a bit of stitched-in padding along the length of the interior that goes against the user’s back. And, on the outer exterior, there are 2 more decent sized pockets. One runs horizontal across the top. The other is a vertical pocket. Adults could use these for car keys, a cell phone, sunscreen, sunglasses, etc. My kid use this additional storage to lovingly ripen his leftover sandwiches. Once I pulled something out of here in a sealed bag and I couldn’t tell what it was… P-B and J? Ham and cheese? Fruit? When it’s green and mushy, your guess is as good as mine.

Anyway, the Dakine Shuttle 6L Hydration Pack has been a wonderful piece of equipment for my son. If you’re looking for a hydration pack for kids, I strongly recommend this. Because it fits my kid, he feels comfortable carrying some of his own stuff for a change. Just don’t tell him that I usually hide one of my spare 27.5 tubes and full-size hex wrench set in there.

Written by Brett SHARETWEET

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