Fall Group Rides - Info

Wednesday Group Rides

NEW! Wednesday Group Rides will continue with the 7:00pm start time into October (maybe later!). However, with diminishing daylight hours, we highly recommend that you bring bike lights for the ride.

Monday Ladies Group Rides

Monday Ladies Group Rides will start earlier in September. September 2nd and 9th, start time will be 6:30pm. If there is interest, September 16 and 23rd will start at 6:00pm.

Weekend Workshop for Women (update!)

For the ladies: Shred Sisters Ltd. has added a 3rd group for their weekend workshop in Hinton on August 12th and 13th.   Visit their webpage to register!!

New to our Trails? Here's what we recommend!

New to our trails? One of the loops that locals enjoy is highlighted in yellow, approximately 8.6 km. About 200 m elevation gain. Start on Just Get There and finish on Happy Creek (West side). The trail head is roughly 2 km from the Hinton Bike Park parking lot. This loop has bit of of everything: up and ups, rewarded with downs and flowy single track. And don't forget to stop at our favorite EZ lookout!

Weekend Bike Clinics for Women

Shred Sisters will be giving 2-day workshops in Hinton on August 12 and 13th!!  The weekend workshops are the perfect way to have an overview of mountain biking, and to improve your skills, to be more confident on your bike, and have fun with your new Shred Sisters friends! 

More info...

Beginner Workshop

This weekend workshop is for women who have little or no experience on a mountain bike and would like to learn the fundamentals of riding in a fun, safe, professional, and supportive environment.

Skills Covered:

• Bike Anatomy/Safety Check, Bike Maintenance
• How to change a flat tire
• Stance & Balance
• Braking & Shifting
• Cornering
• Climbing
• Descending
• Wheel Lifts

Details:

• Location: Hinton, Ab
• Dates: August 12th & 13th
• Ratio: 6 riders per instructor
• Length: 9:30am to 4pm with one hour lunch break
• Cost: $295 + GST
• Level: Suited for Level 1 & 2
• Register here

Intermediate Workshop

This weekend course is for women who have taken the beginner program before or have been riding for few years and are interested in improving their mountain biking skills. It is also an amazing opportunity to meet like-minded riding buddies.

Skills Covered:

• Review of Stance and Balance
• Review of Shifting and Braking
• Pumping
• Straight Line Riding
• Roll Down Lunge Maneuver
• Descending Strategy
• Technical Climbing
• Cornering: Switchback & High Speed

Details:

• Location: Hinton, Ab
• Dates: August 12th & 13th
• Ratio: 6 riders per instructor
• Length: 9:30am to 4pm with one hour lunch break
• Cost: $295 + GST
• Level: Suited for Level 3
• Register here

More info...

Upcoming Events

Monday Ladies Rides

• When: Every Monday
• Time: Meet at 6:45pm and be ready to ride for 7:00pm  (Rides start earlier in September - check calendar!)
• Where: Hinton Bike Park, Parking Lot
• Who: Ladies of all skill levels welcome  (sorry NO Boys allowed)
• Why: This is just for the Ladies to go for a ride together and help each other become better riders with No Boys allowed, so go have some fun. (also feel free to also come to out on Wednesday Nights)

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Wednesday Group Rides

• When: Every Wednesday
• Time: Meet at 6:45pm and be ready to ride for 7:00pm  (Rides start earlier in September - check calendar!)
• Where: Hinton Bike Park, Parking Lot
• Who: Everyone of all skill levels welcome 
• Why: To have some FUN by getting out and riding with other people and riding new trails. Our goal for club rides is to get more people out on the trails enjoying mountain biking.

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Hinton Sprockids

• When:  Thursdays from 6:00pm until 7:15pm (until June 30th, then back 4 weeks in September)
• Where: Hinton Bike Park
• What:  2016 marks the fifth season for the Hinton Sprockids program.  We are stoked to continue this program in Hinton and look forward to seeing Hinton's bike culture grow with kids of all ages.
• Who: kids aged 2 to 13, all abilities (sorry, registration is closed!)

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Busy Hinton Bike Park Day

Devon's DBA Bears and Edmonton's Juventus Sprockids are going to be at the bike park all afternoon of Sunday, May 29th.  These two groups have been making the annual trip to Hinton as part part of their programming.

Expect a busy afternoon at the park!   Line-ups on Flow Master will be a given!

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Muscular Dystrophy Slope Wars Challenge

A group of local individuals is hosting an 'MD Slope Wars Challenge' at the Hinton Bike Park on June 4th.  This event is in conjunction with the annual MD Walk, BBQ, and Car Wash at the Hinton Fire Hall on Eaton Road. The MD Walk is Saturday, June 4th from 10am - 2pm.

• When:  Saturday, June 4th, 4:00pm.
• Where: Hinton Bike Park, Slope Wars
• Who: Two age categories: 11-15 and 16+. Men's and Women's divisions.
• How:  Registration is by donation with a suggested minimum donation of $5.  Donations of $20 or more will be eligible for a charitable tax reciept.

Registration can be done from 11:00am-1:00pm at the MD Walk (Hinton Fire Hall) on Saturday morning or at the bike park from 4:00-4:30pm.   Come out and take the challenge or just cheer on your favorite rider!

See you there!

If anyone has any questions, please contact Stacey Cherry.

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Check out our Events Calendar and Stay up to Date!

All About HMBA Group Rides

The Hinton Mountain Bike Association (HMBA) often gets asked about its group rides.  Every summer, from sometime in May to as late as October, HMBA has two orgranized rides: one on Monday evenings (just for ladies!) and one on Wednesday evenings (everyone!).

"Do I have to be a member?"

You don't have to be a member to try out one of our group rides.   Membership provides general liability insurance for our members and gives the HMBA better access to grants to build/maintain our bike park and trail systems.  As a member, you get voting privileges at our AGM, can become part of the board as an executive or coordinator, and finally - you have access to great regional business discounts.  See our Member page for more info!

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May 11, 2015 - First Ladies' Ride of the season!  Group 1 of 2.

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May 20, 2015 - Wednesday Group Ride

"I'm New to Mountain Biking..."

Fantastic!!!  Our group rides welcome all abilities.  However, the HMBA has a few tips for those new to mountain biking:

• You will get the most out of your experiences by making sure your bike fits you and is in good working condition.  There are several bike shops & bike mechanics in our region that can help you out.
• Know your bike: modulating brakes, changing gears, correct seat height - all these are important to be comfortable with before hitting the local trails!  
• By becoming a member, following our facebook group or page or checking the bikehinton.com website - you will be informed of any upcoming skills clinics.
• Practice, practice, practice!  Get out on your bike and often!  Even if it's just around the neighborhood or local town trails.  The more you ride, the more you get to improve!

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May 18, 2015 - Monday Ladies, Group of 1 of 2.

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May 20, 2015 - Wednesday Group Ride

"Can I Join A Group Ride Later in the Summer?"

Of course!  But it is always best to start in May, if possible.   If you haven't been riding on your own - you might find it a struggle to ride with those that have been riding since May.

"How Long do Rides last?"

Group ride times generally last 1.5 to 2 hours, with lots of breaks - depending on the group's abilities.  Hinton's trails include elevation gains, lots of singletrack, some technical sections such as roots and bridges - basically a little of everything!   Trail selections are usually determined at the beginning of the ride, but may change as the ride progresses.  Riding in a group is a great way to connect with others and get some good tips on how to tackle different challenges on our trails!

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May 25, 2015 - Monday Ladies Ride, group 1 of 3!

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May 25, 2015 - Monday Ladies, group 2 of 3.

"I Don't Know the Trails"

All the more reason to join a group ride!  To ensure everyone enjoys the groups rides, here a few general guidelines:

• Someone will "Lead" the group and set an appropriate pace and stop for breaks in order for the whole group to catch up.  A head count is usually done at the beginning.
• Someone will be the "Sweep" and ride behind everyone.  The sweep ensures no one gets left behind!
• All riders should make sure the rider behind them knows which direction to go at intersections.
• If you need to leave the group early - please let someone know!
• Although it's easy to follow others - it helps to ask questions about the trails you are on so that you can easily find your way when you are out on your own or with others!

Happy Trails!!

May 25, 2015 - Monday Ladies