Head for the Hills offers over 20 programs designed for riders of all ages, abilities, interests and experience levels. Our programs are grouped by skill/experience level as well as program focus to help you find the perfect fit while providing a clear development pathway to follow.
Skill/Experience Levels
While there’s no strict definition of beginner, intermediate or advanced riders, consider the following questions to help determine your level:
- How much mountain biking experience do you have?
- Have you received formal coaching before?
- How well can you control your bike in different situations?
- How confident are you riding trails?
- How accurately can you assess risks and hazards?
- How well do you manage unexpected challenges?
- How far and fast can you comfortably ride?
Beginner Level Programs
- Lots of coach guidance on all aspects of riding
- Slower pace with frequent stops
- Shorter distances covered
- Ideal for riders new to mountain biking or those with little formal coaching
Please Note: Mountain biking requires basic cycling skills. Riders must be able to confidently ride a bike on two wheels with good control to participate in any of our programs.
Intermediate Level Programs
- Faster pace and minimal stops
- More technical trails
- Riders expected to assess and manage risks independently
- Best for riders who ride regularly and feel confident on technical trails, with a reasonable amount of experience and a solid understanding of fundamental skills
- Some prior coaching may be beneficial but not required
Advanced Level Programs
- Designed for experienced riders who can confidently operate independently on trails
- Focuses on applying skills to maximise efficiency and performance
- Ideal for experienced riders specialising in a discipline or refining a particular skillset
- Riders with some prior skills coaching will generally get the most out of these sessions
Progression in mountain biking is like learning a musical instrument – one lesson won’t make you a pro! Development takes regular training and practice over a long period of time. Luckily, it’s a whole lot of fun!
Rider Development Pathway
As well as skill/experience level (beginner – advanced), our programs are grouped into three categories based on the program’s goals and expected outcomes.
Participation Level Programs
- Generally one-off, fun sessions with no ongoing commitment
- Ideal for new riders or experienced riders looking for a casual session
- Great for trying out mountain biking or casual practice with a skills coach
- Typically designed for beginner to intermediate riders
Development Level Programs
- Longer-term programs (full-day, multi-session, or multi-week)
- Focus on structured skill acquisition and development over time
- Designed for riders who are committed to progressing and refining their skills
Excellence Level Programs
- High-level training focused on advanced techniques and strategy
- Focus on the application of skills and knowledge to achieve specific goals for both competitive and recreational pursuits
- Designed for riders serious about competition or skill mastery
- Junior Excellence programs prepare riders for national-level opportunities
Program Structure Breakdown
Below is a overview of how our programs are typically structured, including the ability level, experience, and commitment expected at each stage of the Rider Development Pathway.
| Pathway Level | Ability / Knowledge | Experience | Commitment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation | Beginner – Intermediate | Low – Moderate (0 – 2 years) | Low |
| Development | Beginner – Intermediate | Low – High (0 – 3 years) | High |
| Excellence | Intermediate – Advanced | High (3+ years) | High |
Contact Us
If you have any questions or would like further information, please feel free to contact us.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or would like further information, use this form to contact us.
We will do our best to respond to your message as soon as we can.
Head for the Hills Off Road Cycling
72 Corconda Street
Clearview, South Australia
5085
| P: | 0402 697 398 |
|---|---|
| E: | info@headforthehills.net.au |
| W: | headforthehills.net.au |
Help
Head for the Hills offers many programs to riders with a wide range of interests and abilities. We categorise our programs using particular terms that are outlined below.
Interest - Why do you ride your bike?
| Recreation (Rec): | I ride for fun and/or fitness. |
|---|---|
| Competition (Comp): | I race, want to race or simply like to push myself on the bike. |
| High Performance (HP): | I want be the best racer I can be and will sacrifice nearly anything to achieve my goals. |
Ability - What do you know how to do?
| Basic: | I know nothing. I can ride confidently on two wheels but that is about it. |
|---|---|
| Beginner (Beg): | I have a little bit of experience riding off road, but not much. I can use my gears & brakes and ride on trails about 1 meter wide so long as they are relatively smooth. |
| Intermediate (Int): | I ride trails fairly regularly and feel confident at least some of the time. I can go a little bit fast, but usually only when the trail is fairly straight and smooth. I don't do jumps or drop-offs. |
| Advanced (Adv): | I am quite confident in my abilities and ride rough trails regularly. I can do (or nearly do) small jumps and drop-offs. |
| Expert (Exp): | I am very confident in my abilities and ride extremely rough & technical trails regularly. I can do large jumps and drop-offs safely. |
Discipline - What style of mountain biking does the program focus on?
| General: | General mountain biking skills that can be used in all disciplines. |
|---|---|
| Gravity: | Skills to help you descend hills with more control. |
| Trail: | Skills for riding up & down hills over longer distances. |
| Cyclocross (CX): | Skills for Cyclocross Competitions. |
| Cross Country (XC): | Skills for Cross Country Competitions. |
| Gravity Enduro (GE): | Skills for Gravity Enduro Competitions. |
| Dowhnill (DH): | Skills for Downhill Competitions. |
If you are still unsure if a program is right for you, feel free to contact us.
Head for the Hills Off Road Cycling
72 Corconda Street
Clearview, South Australia
5085
| P: | 0402 697 398 |
|---|---|
| E: | info@headforthehills.net.au |
| W: | headforthehills.net.au |
