Residential Trip Guide
So you’ve gone ahead and booked to join us on the residential MTB trip, a great choice, we’re stoked to have you onboard – best get ready for the adventure! There is a lot to prepare for this scale of adventure, so we’ve created a comprehensive guide to help you prepare for your residential trip:
Here’s what we’ll cover:
- Riding Kit
- Camping Kit
- Bike Preparation
- Brain Preparation
- Body Preparation
We Provide:
- Accommodation – our living quarters are large heavy-duty gazebos, with bunk beds to sleep on.
- Camping Kit – all food preparation, cooking and cleaning equipment.
- Food – nutrition for the week, including ample snacks and dietary requirements for veggies and halal etc.
- Transport – we will specify pickup spots for the journey in both directions.
Residential Kit List
Riding Equipment
Body
- Helmet
- Riding shorts
- Riding jersey/t-shirt
- Thermal Baselayer
- Knee/elbow pads
- Waterproof jacket
- Riding Shoes
- Gloves
Backpack
- 2x inner tubes
- Brake pads
- Multitool
- Snacks in abundance
- Mech hanger (very important!)
- Chain Quick-link
- Water bottle/hydration bladder
- Basic first aid kit
- Pump
- Waterproof bag cover
- Waterproof kit bag(s)
Camping Equipment
Body
- Sleeping bag & small camping pillow (or roll up clothes as pillow)
- Underwear & Socks for each day
- Change of clothes (for wearing in the camp)
- Leisure footwear (sandals/sliders/lighter trainers)
Bag/Holdall
- Midgie Net x2
- Towel
- Toothbrush
- Toiletries
- Small body wash
- Insect repellent x 1million
- Sunscreen / UV protection
- Personal medication
Beyond
- Battery pack/power bank
- Playlist of 10+ favourite songs
- Analogue toy (rubix cube/kendama/diablo/yoyo) or a book for rainy/rest days
- SD/USB with favourite music, bike videos or films
- A small amount of money for the cafe or bike shop
Bike Preparation
Spares, repairs and resources will be limited as we leave civilisation, therefore your bike needs to be in sound working order before coming on the residential trip.
The volume of riding is dramatically increased and takes its toll on the bikes surprisingly quickly. Wear and tear equivalent to 3 months worth of riding can occur in just a week. It is essential that consumable parts such as brake pads and tyres are ‘full of life’ or replacement parts should be brought as spares.
There are local bike shops available in emergencies but waiting/delivery times are a factor and although we can carry out repairs at the camp, our supply of spare parts is limited to emergency spares only. There will be bikes available to hire should the need arise, although be warned the cost far outweighs the cost of good preparation!
Brain Preparation
Residential trips can be challenging; the weather can be testing, the insects can be pestering, the amount of effort required to maintain camp can be significant, and with little communication to the outside world and parents at home, it can quickly become overwhelming.
While this may seem unpleasant, the sense of satisfaction far outweighs the hardships of the trip. The group will return with a new sense of overcoming adversity, a heightened level of camaraderie and an understanding of successful survival without first world amenities.
Although we expect group members to mentally prepare for these difficulties, our coaches are well aware of the hardships and are always on hand to comfort, motivate and inspire the group.
Body Preparation
A full week of shredding in Fort William undoubtedly takes its toll on the body. Consequently, there are many things we can do on the run up to our trip to ensure we are in our best possible condition to get the most out of our riding!
Kids Club is a great way to improve skills and fitness, but also getting out riding at least 2 other times during the week will ensure your fitness is up to standard and can give an opportunity to consolidate skills.
Nutrition is also a key factor before, during and after the residential trip. A balanced, high-calorie diet with plenty of high nutrient fruit and veggies will be provided during the trip and would be beneficial to follow this in the weeks surrounding the trip.
Team Game
Everyone is expected to join in with camp life – jobs and responsibilities will be divided up – early volunteers tend to get the best jobs and finish up early. As usual, the quicker and more efficiently we cover the essentials, the more time we have to ride! Some obvious but laborious jobs include:
- Collecting Water
- Collecting Firewood
- Cooking and food prep
- Washing up after cooking
- Bike cleaning/maintenance
Individual Responsibilities
It may seem obvious, but kids are often spending their first period of time away from parents and so will be required to look after themselves and understand their personal responsibilities:
- Body washing & toothbrushing
- Getting dressed and kitted-up
- Looking after their own kit, bike and sleeping area
- Social engagement/interaction
A Typical Day at Bike Camp
08:00 – Alarms!
08:30 – Breakfast served
09:30 – Ready to ride
10:00 – Morning Ride
12:30 – Lunch
13:30 – Afternoon Ride
16:30 – Return to camp
17:00 – Prepare dinner
18:00 – Chowdown
19:00 – Major tidy/clean and prep
19:30 – Evening ride OR movie/games/fire
21:00 – Wind down
22:00 – Bed
23:00 – Lights out
