This program will include a building phase, development phase and a performance phase. The program would start in the building phase but the other two phases won't necessarily be consecutive, these two will work back n forth to develop on the progress we make through the sessions.

The Building phase would involve slow medium intensity pedals to build up a base layer of fitness. This is highly important as future intensity depends on it.

The trails chosen for this pedal sessions will be medium paced but technical requiring the student to create stability when challenged. This would involve drills and prompt students to use efficient and effective braking techniques and learning of certain new skills that are rarely used in the fast pace of the bike park but play an important role in increasing bike handling skills overall.

The Development phase would mostly be in the bike park - Here the riding skills will be challenged, understanding trail pressure and creating/managing momentum will be key areas of this phase. As it is mostly in the bike park, students are bound to enjoy these sessions.

Performance phase: This is where the extra 2x Saturdays coming. These will be all about executing everything we work on and will be in the middle and end of this block so students get the opportunity to work through their goals.

As a preparation for this program:

Ideally you would be riding your bike 2-3 times/week prior to the course starting. These rides should involve pedaling (tough we know!) but we’d like to emphasize that Gravity racing is about maintaining intensity - you can only create or maintain intensity when you have a great engine.

The pedal rides will build that engine so that your mind and body can stay sharp even as you're nearing the end of the run.

Ages 10+

- Full suspension Enduro or DH mountain bike.
- Full face Helmet and protective gear.
- Day lunch pack and ample drinking water required.
- Full face helmet, knee pads and body/chest protection compulsory for lift access areas such as Coronet peak and Skyline.
- Mandatory safety check from a local bike shop.

1. Fernhill bike park
2. Queenstown bike park
3. Coronet peak

*Lift pass required and must be purchased additionally.

Program starts 6th October
MONDAYS | 4-7pm
*Skyline pass required

6/10/25 — 1st session: Bike park: Introductory ride (BUILD) - Good opportunity to see where everyone's at, there will be some tasks given to the crew to help gauge an idea of their current skillset and comfort zones. These tasks may involve: cornering drills, braking drills, range of movement drills for the Coach and the students to really have a good insight into where the riding is so we can create a feedback loop to set some realistic goals.
Location: Bike park — Ben lomond trails access via skyline gondola.

13/10/25 — 2nd session: Bike park (DEVELOP PHASE): Range of movement - Students will be prompted to use full range of movement on their bikes on a variety of terrain to 'open up' their riding, more range of movement will allow the students to soak up or manage impact effectively.
Location: Bike park — Ben lomond trails access via skyline gondola.

20/10/25 — 3rd session: Fernhill Bike park (BUILD PHASE): Managing pace in corners - Here the cornering techniques will be improved upon with the intention to hold traction and pace or create it on the exit. These will be filmed and timed using the SportSense app so riders can directly see where their improvement lies.

27/10/25 — 4th session: Bike park (DEVELOP PHASE) Managing and creating pressure on track - The previous session aims to open up the riding to add more fluidtity the movements on the bike. A better and full range ability to move on the bike directly relates to better reaction and control over challenging sections. This will now be built on - to add and release pressure on the trail effectively. The outcome would be to effectively soak up bigger, chunkier impacts/compressions and to hold pressure on the fast and rough.
Location: Bike park — Ben lomond trails access via skyline gondola.

1/11/25 — SATURDAY TIMED TRAINING: 2x Timed runs
Location: Lower Coronet trails
Track: Carry on
Timings: 12:30 to 4pm

Complimentary shuttles included.

3/11/25 — 5th session: Fernhill bike park (BUILD PHASE): In this pedal ride we will aim to spend more time on Creeky winders, a shorter pedal. This track has an incredible variety of options that spark creativity prompting riders to create and manage their pace through multiple lines, this would also mean the lessons stays a bit more open book so students have the freedom to explore lines and moves they find exciting so they can further mature into their riding.

10/11/25 — 6th Session: Bike park: Range of movement and pressure (DEVELOP)
Where week 2 opened range of movement this session will challenge the rider on whether they can access it when the track asks for it – on steeper gradients, through braking bumps and across compressions. These trail features force lengthening and shortening of the riders position and will test how they can manage and create pressure on the trail effectively.
Location: Bike park — Ben lomond trails access via skyline gondola.

17/11/25 — 7th Session: Managing pace in complex corners (DEVELOP): Here students will refine their braking gradient into the turn ie. How much later can you brake and still find/create support in the corner and how that affects exit speed and decide whether the exit needs acceleration or just carrying speed. The outcome would be to leave with 2-3 cornering cues to build onto the timed training on Saturday.
Location: Bike park — Ben lomond trails access via skyline gondola.

24/11/25 — 8th Session: Testing and refining: This session we will continue to test where the trail wants us to stay light and where it needs us to hold pressure at a slightly faster, race pace. On supportive terrain we’ll use that to harvest more speed and absorb any square hits while maintaining pace and composure on the bike. The outcome would involve a relative quiet bike in face of deliberate efforts to gain and maintain speed.

Location: Bike park — Ben lomond trails access via skyline gondola.

6/12/25 — SATURDAY TIMED TRAINING: 2x Timed runs
Location: Lower Coronet trails
Track: Carry on
Timings: 12:30 to 4pm

1) What age range and minimum skill level do you accept?

Age range is 10+ and minimum skill level required would be comfortable on Grade 5 single black trails and potentially exploring double blacks.

2) How are riders grouped—by age, skill, or both? What’s the coach-to-rider ratio?

They’re mainly grouped by skill, as we found that age does play a role, but not as much. Skill definitely takes over. The coach-to-rider ratio is 1:5 to make sure the group stays focused and learning is prioritized.

3) Are Coronet shuttles fully included, and how do drop-off/pick-up logistics work?

Yes, Coronet shuttles are fully included, but only for the Saturday timed sessions. If we end up changing the location or end up using a different location which requires lift access, the passes must be paid for separately.

4) What if my child can’t attend a session or a Saturday—do you offer make-ups or credits?

If your child cannot attend a session or a Saturday, we may offer a makeup session depending on how many of the group are missing, but if the majority are attending, we will go ahead with the scheduled sessions.

5) What happens in bad weather or if the gondola closes?

During bad weather, we will aim to move the session to another suitable date. If the gondola closes, we may come up with a separate location or move the sessions around to accommodate a new location so the program can go as planned without any further delay.

6) Are the two Saturday timed trainings compulsory, and can my child spectate instead of race?

The two Saturday sessions, of course, are not compulsory. They’re more of a challenge, so if the student is willing to spectate or just wants to ride the track and get to know the tracks, that is completely fine.

7) How do you manage safety: qualifications, first aid, radios, emergency plans?

All our instructors are PMBIA and GSMBC Level Three qualified with PHEC first aid. We’ve got radios and a fully safety-audited emergency plan in place for all the locations that we will be riding at.

8) How will you communicate weekly meeting points and last-minute changes?

We will communicate all weekly meeting points beforehand. As already mentioned in our structure, any last-minute changes will be communicated to the entire group via our WhatsApp group chat.

9) What fitness preparation do you recommend, and are e-bikes allowed?

While preparing for the course, it is recommended to go out on a few longer pedal rides. These pedal rides don’t need to be intense. A medium level of intensity is good, but the length matters. The longer pedal rides that you can manage are better because that creates a base fitness level that will allow you to soak in the lessons riding better.

10) Do you check bikes each session? Can you help with minor repairs or suspension setup?

Of course, we do check bikes each session, and we go through a full M bike check before every lesson. We can do minor repairs and suspension setups, but we cannot do any major repairs. If you are looking at this performance program, it is highly recommended that you get the bike fully checked by your trusted mechanic.

11) Can parents watch sessions or the race days? Any parking considerations?

Of course, parents can watch sessions on the race days.

12) What are the program goals and progression outcomes by the end of eight weeks?

Essentially, our aim is to create riders that can deliver that technique even when under pressure, so their movements stay synchronized under the pressure of a timed run.