GO Girl Mountain Bike Program
The GO girl biking program started in 2017 as a mountain biking program for Gunnison Valley youth. The program falls under the GO Initiative, a 501c3 Colorado Corporation intended to educate, inspire and develop athletes of all ages and abilities in mountain sports. As with other Initiative programs, we provide financial support and opportunities to optimize a strong body and mind through functional fitness, healthy lifestyle guidance and achievement. The programs have always focused on developing confidence both on and off the trails by giving them the resources they need to not only become a successful competitive or non-competitive athlete, but also a successful member of our community or any community in which they interact.
The Initiative GO girl premise is to develop confidence both on and off the bike. Programming is centered around mountain bike handling and progression/skill, which are paralleled to life skills and goals. We also believe that nutrition, rest, injury prevention, proper hydration and bike maintenance are hugely important. We hope to share the love the mountain biking, the experience of gaining skills with friends, and developing healthy lifestyle habits for life.
- Gunnison – Mondays and Wednesdays beginning June 10, 2024. No programming July 2, 4. Ends one week prior to the first week of 2024/2025 school year.
- ~$48/day @ 18 days = $864 per summer
- includes 6.5 hours of adventure per day
- fees include operating costs, insurance, gas/van expenses, and permitting fees
- includes structured outcomes around riding skill sets
- children are transported to Crested Butte for trail diversity, as well as exploring the vast trail systems in Gunnison
THE DETAILS
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- Ages: Minimum 7 years old
- Dates: June 10 – August 14, 2024 (Mondays + Wednesdays; no programming week of July 4)
- Times: 9:00am – 3:30pm
- Cost: ~$48/day @ 18 days (no per diem)
GO Girl Gunnison Program
Registration is currently open. If you are interested as a new rider in the 2024 summer program, please email info@thegoinitiative.org.
Thanks!
Jr. GO Girls
(7-9 yo / grades 3-4)
This is where it all starts!
This is our intro level group. Riders must be able to ride a bike independently with the excitement and attitude of getting out and about around Gunnison. They are ready to gain experience on mountain bike trails and learn the fundamentals of biking.
This group will be mostly outdoors for the afternoon, taking any needed snack breaks and multiple stops during the day (bonus is a stop at Jermaine’s for some fro yo!). The general idea is to get these kids to learn about riding around Gunnison, with an eventual transition from pavement onto beginner mountain bike trails around Hartman’s and Signal Peak. An emphasis will be kept on abiding by important city riding rules, obeying all laws and maintaining safety both on the streets and on the trails.
This group will also participate in other activities (rec center, lake, river, etc.) as permitted, and go to Crested Butte once or twice during the summer season.
Minimum Requirements:
- Can ride a bike, steer and brake independently
- 20″ wheels or larger
- Hand brakes
- Range of gears
- Knee pads, helmet, gloves
GO Girls
(10-12 yo / grades 5-7)
A little more skill, a lot more excitement!
These gal GO riders love getting out on their bikes and should have previous experience riding mountain bike trails in/around the Gunnison area. They enjoy longer rides, exploring new terrain and are excited to ride more.
We recognize that within this age range there can be a wide range of abilities. These riders are separated into groups according to their ability level to ensure a great experience for all (depending on coach availability). They will develop their riding skills to improve confidence and control on Gunnison area trails.
This group will also participate in other activities on some Thursdays, and go to Crested Butte several times during the summer season to ride.
Minimum Requirements:
- Experience on intermediate singletrack
- 24″ wheels or larger
- Hand brakes
- Range of Gears
- Knee pads, helmet, gloves
MENTORS
(13-14 yo / grades 8-9)
Entry into Leadership Skills
Mentor GO riders are super excited to get out on intermediate trails with friends of a similar age and ability. They have experience on mountain bike trails and are looking to fine tune their skills to ride more, lead groups and provide leadership to the Jr. and GO kids.
We recognize that within this group there can be a wide range of abilities. These riders are separated into groups according to their ability level to ensure a great experience for all (depending on coach availability). Mentors will be set up with a lead coach and required to lead at least ONE lesson per day.
They will work towards improving and leading lessons to ride up, down and over Gunnison area trails, including Signal Peak and Hartman Rocks, as well as trails in/around Crested Butte.
Minimum Requirements:
- Experience on mountain bike trails
- Previous participation in gOgirl program
- 27.5″ wheels or larger
- Leadership Skills
- Mentorship Skills
Operating under a special use permit on the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.