Mountain bike skills require more than bicycle balance and pedaling. Learn about equipment, gears, body placement, bike control and more. The more you know the more fun you have. Our classes are sure to give you the skills you need to get to the next level.

Look for official Yahoo! Group announcements or check the Ride and Events Calendar for scheduled training dates.


Introduction to Mountain Biking Training Class

Beginner Class

A Basic Mountain Bike Training Session will be held on the first Sunday of most months January to November, in Tampa's Trout Creek Park. Class will be limited to 10 cyclists with a minimum of 5 needed to hold a class. Anyone can take this class. For full details and requirements, see the click hereIntroduction to Mountain Biking Class page.

Reservations must be made by the Wednesday preceding the class.

For information, and to register for the class, send an email to Wes Eubank at Training at SWAMPClub dot org, or call 813-988-6435 (Tampa). Cost of the three hour class will be $15.


Mountain Bike Intermediate / Advanced Training Classes

Want to take your mountain bike riding skills to the next level? Climb and descend with confidence? Cruise through technical sections? We have your solution: attend one of our Technical Skills classes and receive tips and on-the-bike instruction to build confidence to tackle more technical riding sections.  Topics include proper bike fit, balance, weight distribution, gearing, cadence, braking, and how they are all applied together to improve your technical riding.

Private classes last three hours conducted by a SWAMP instructor. Class size is from one to eight riders.

Class cost is $180. Each class is geared to the participant’s requirements.

Organize one to eight riders of similar skills and submit two prospective training dates for instructor availability to Training at SWAMPClub dot org.

Intermediate class

The ideal candidate has taken the “Introduction to Mountain Biking Training Class” and has good novice skills to confidently ride all novice rated trails with moderate speed and knowledge of proper shifting and braking techniques.

The ride portion of class will be begin with skills training, strarting with a ride on RollerCoaster’s main loop. Students will learn: the “tips & tricks” to increase control, stability and enjoyment. These tips jump-start riding proficiency for intermediate trails and beyond. These techniques are the foundation for rapidly advancing your skill level and include: trail analysis, slow speed obstacle riding, steep hill stopping/starting and proper body position.


Advanced Class

This course is targeted at the intermediate mountain biker. The ideal candidate has taken the intermediate class and has a good knowledge of shifting and braking techniques with proper body position during climbs and descents. The student can handle sand, mud, roots, rocks, climbs and descents, but have trouble when faced with many of these obstacles thrown together. Participating students confidently ride all intermediate trails and wish to learn the techniques to confidently ride all advanced trails.

The ride portion of class will be held on RollerCoaster’s advanced options. The student learns tips and techniques for technical trails that include steep climbs and descents, rocks, roots and tight turns. Many advanced trails have all of these elements in rapid succession.

Requirements to attend the advanced class - the student comfortably rides intermediate trails, such as NorthCreek and RollerCoaster’s main loop. To ensure minimum level riding skills to benefit from this class, the students will ride the intermediate main loop of RollerCoaster. If your skill level does not qualify, your money will be refunded and you should continue to improve your intermediate skills on your own. This ensures a quality learning environment for the remaining students.


Ride Guide Program / Ride Guide Training Class

You've been riding with the club for a while and you're getting to know the trails pretty well. What's next, you ask? Become a ride guide! It's just as fun as riding (maybe more so since you get to be in front) and a great way to help your fellow Swampers learn the trails.

Contact Dennis Trailer at RideGuide (at) SWAMPClub (dot) org, he will help get you started.