Program Info
Our program is age based first and foremost, and we ask that folks please respect the age groups that we have set up and DO NOT REGISTER YOUR CHILD FOR A GROUP OUTSIDE OF THEIR AGE unless given specific permission from FLYRS to do so (rare). The age groups set up are centered around a certain philosophy, experience, proper progression, group management, dynamic, and cohesion framework. When we get outside of this, then it really challenges the experience we are trying to create and the success of each rider, coach, and group as a whole.
FLYRS groups are age-based following a proven model to ensure the most positive experience for every child. Participating in an age-based all inclusive program with your peers that enjoy riding facilitates team bonding, friendships, independence, and risk taking. A natural extension of this is developing mountain biking skills and fitness that results in a successful rider. Our coaches are trained to challenge each individual rider at their individual level within their appropriate age-based group in a team environment.
Junior FLYRS Groups (2 years old - 5th grade)
Push bikers: This is a group for kiddos on push bikes ages 2.5 - 4 years old. These groups meet for one hour per week and focus on getting kids out on the trails in a team environment and having fun. Coaches will teach basic skills of starting and stopping, proper balancing, and trail etiquette. Coaches will teach a component of independence at practice. Parents are encouraged not to attend practices with their rider. Please communicate any special needs with your coach prior to practice if this is your child’s first experience being left without a parent.
4-6 year old groups: These groups are for 4-6 year old kids who are riding pedal bikes without training wheels, but who are not yet in 1st grade. Kids will focus on some basic skills, games, and short, easy trail rides. These groups are NOT appropriate for children who do not already know how to ride a bike independently.
Kids should be:
1st-2nd grade: This group is for kids in 1st-2nd grade at the start of the season. Kids will focus on bike games, developing basic bike handling skills, and short trail rides of around 3 miles each week. This group focuses on improving children’s confidence riding on bumpy dirt trails and on gentle hills. This group is NOT appropriate for children who do not already know how to ride a bike independently.
Kids in the 1st-2nd grade group should be:
2nd-3rd grade: This group is for kids in 2nd-3rd grade at the start of the season who are confident riding more miles on dirt trails. We will focus on gaining confidence on more challenging technical trails with some elevation change.
3rd-5th Grade: This group is for kids in 3rd-5th grade at the start of the season. This is for 3rd-5th grade beginner-intermediate riders. Requirements for this group are: confident on dirt trails, utilize proper body position on bike, confident braking, a bike with gears, and a bike with front and rear brakes. Wheel size of 24 inches or larger is recommended.
3rd-5th Grade Intermediate: This group is for kids in 3rd-5th grade at the start of the season. Kids in this group should be interested in riding more miles, exploring more technical terrain with some elevation change, and working on advanced skills.
3rd - 5th Grade Advanced: This group is for kids in the 3rd-5th grade at the start of the season who have excelled in previous FLYRS groups and taken a special interest in riding outside of FLYRS resulting in a strong, confident, and skilled rider. We will focus on more advanced bike handling skills, gaining confidence on more challenging trails with big elevation changes consisting of longer sustained climbs and descents, and at a faster pace.
Go Fast - This group will focus on big rides and putting in miles at a fast pace. Riders will ride on more advanced technical trails, at a faster pace, and explore bigger and steeper hills.
Skills - This group will focus on more advanced technical trails, explore drops, jumps, and technical lines, explore bigger and steeper hills, and work on advanced maneuvers.
If you are unsure about placing your child in this group, please contact Tyler Nelson at tyler@flyrsaz.com.
Kids in the advanced group should be:
Girls ONLY: While most FLYRS groups are co-ed, and we encourage all children to register in whichever group is the best fit for them based on age and skill level. However, we’ve found that some girls are able to build confidence and comraderie more readily in a girls-only group, so this group is a mixed-ability group for girls who prefer to ride only with other girls.
FLYRS groups are age-based following a proven model to ensure the most positive experience for every child. Participating in an age-based all inclusive program with your peers that enjoy riding facilitates team bonding, friendships, independence, and risk taking. A natural extension of this is developing mountain biking skills and fitness that results in a successful rider. Our coaches are trained to challenge each individual rider at their individual level within their appropriate age-based group in a team environment.
Junior FLYRS Groups (2 years old - 5th grade)
Push bikers: This is a group for kiddos on push bikes ages 2.5 - 4 years old. These groups meet for one hour per week and focus on getting kids out on the trails in a team environment and having fun. Coaches will teach basic skills of starting and stopping, proper balancing, and trail etiquette. Coaches will teach a component of independence at practice. Parents are encouraged not to attend practices with their rider. Please communicate any special needs with your coach prior to practice if this is your child’s first experience being left without a parent.
4-6 year old groups: These groups are for 4-6 year old kids who are riding pedal bikes without training wheels, but who are not yet in 1st grade. Kids will focus on some basic skills, games, and short, easy trail rides. These groups are NOT appropriate for children who do not already know how to ride a bike independently.
Kids should be:
- Confident on a pedal bike (no training wheels)
- Able to start and stop on their own
- Coaster or hand brakes
- Able to ride on dirt trails
1st-2nd grade: This group is for kids in 1st-2nd grade at the start of the season. Kids will focus on bike games, developing basic bike handling skills, and short trail rides of around 3 miles each week. This group focuses on improving children’s confidence riding on bumpy dirt trails and on gentle hills. This group is NOT appropriate for children who do not already know how to ride a bike independently.
Kids in the 1st-2nd grade group should be:
- Able to start and stop on their own
- Hand brakes highly encouraged
- Able to ride on dirt trails
2nd-3rd grade: This group is for kids in 2nd-3rd grade at the start of the season who are confident riding more miles on dirt trails. We will focus on gaining confidence on more challenging technical trails with some elevation change.
- Kids in the 2nd-3rd grade group should be:
- Confident with attack position (level pedals with feet equally weighted on each)
- Confident braking with both brakes smoothly and evenly
- Able to change gears while pedaling
- Beginning to stand while climbing
- On a bike with gears, front and rear brakes
3rd-5th Grade: This group is for kids in 3rd-5th grade at the start of the season. This is for 3rd-5th grade beginner-intermediate riders. Requirements for this group are: confident on dirt trails, utilize proper body position on bike, confident braking, a bike with gears, and a bike with front and rear brakes. Wheel size of 24 inches or larger is recommended.
3rd-5th Grade Intermediate: This group is for kids in 3rd-5th grade at the start of the season. Kids in this group should be interested in riding more miles, exploring more technical terrain with some elevation change, and working on advanced skills.
- Kids in the intermediate group should be:
- Confident with attack position (level pedals with feet equally weighted on each)
- Confident braking with both brakes smoothly and evenly
- Able to change gears while pedaling
- Able to stand while climbing
- On a bike with a wheel size of 24 inches or larger (required)
3rd - 5th Grade Advanced: This group is for kids in the 3rd-5th grade at the start of the season who have excelled in previous FLYRS groups and taken a special interest in riding outside of FLYRS resulting in a strong, confident, and skilled rider. We will focus on more advanced bike handling skills, gaining confidence on more challenging trails with big elevation changes consisting of longer sustained climbs and descents, and at a faster pace.
Go Fast - This group will focus on big rides and putting in miles at a fast pace. Riders will ride on more advanced technical trails, at a faster pace, and explore bigger and steeper hills.
Skills - This group will focus on more advanced technical trails, explore drops, jumps, and technical lines, explore bigger and steeper hills, and work on advanced maneuvers.
If you are unsure about placing your child in this group, please contact Tyler Nelson at tyler@flyrsaz.com.
Kids in the advanced group should be:
- Able to ride 10+ miles on single advanced level trails consisting of sustained climbs and descents
- Braking correctly and efficiently at high speeds
- Confident standing while climbing over steep and technical terrain
- Smoothly and efficiently changing gears while pedaling and consistently selecting the appropriate gear for the terrain
- Comfortable on intermediate and advanced trails with a faster pace and less stopping
- Fit and skilled to ride trails with big elevation changes consisting of sustained climbs and descents
- On a bike with wheel size of 26 inches or larger
Girls ONLY: While most FLYRS groups are co-ed, and we encourage all children to register in whichever group is the best fit for them based on age and skill level. However, we’ve found that some girls are able to build confidence and comraderie more readily in a girls-only group, so this group is a mixed-ability group for girls who prefer to ride only with other girls.
Upper Level Groups (Middle School - High School)
9th-12 Grade Advanced Group with Coach Dustin Phillips - This group is geared towards competitive riders who are interested in exploring more structured training. The goal of this group is to prepare riders for the racing season and beyond. Please note this is an advanced group for high school aged riders.
9th-12th Grade: High School group which will be split into groups (similar to Middle School) depending on rider preferences, goals, and group size.
FLYRS Enduro with Coach Nick Nation: These groups are for intermediate to advanced riders currently in Middle - High School wanting to focus on the Enduro side of mountain biking. Riders will focus on strong uphill pushes to get to ripping descents. There will be a particular focus on advanced maneuvers to utilize on technical terrain.
In this group riders will: develop the necessary skills to navigate gravity oriented trails in a safe and controlled manner, build the strength and stamina to access the most demanding descents under one’s own power, learn the trail etiquette associated with riding trails that have a bias towards descending, learn mechanical knowledge that can give our riders the best riding experience possible, and have fun while pushing individual limits.
Gear required: capable, well maintained mountain bike preferably featuring hydraulic disc brakes, tubeless tires, and 1x drivetrains. Full suspension bikes are preferred but not required, adequate protective gear consisting of either full-face or half-shell helmets featuring at least one of the following certifications (please see your local bike shop if you are unsure of certification): CPSC, CE-EN1078, AS/NZS-2063, ASTM. Knee pads will also be required.
6th – 8th grade: In Spring we offer a 7 week session for middle schoolers split up between boys and girls groups. These groups welcome all abilities and are a great way to build community within your riding peers, increase skills, and increase fitness for the coming race season depending on your goals. In the fall we offer a 7 week session and have a Middle School Composite Team option for those looking to be more committed and potentially try competitive racing.
Skills groups will focus more on skills, drills, sessioning trails, lines, and shorter focused rides.
Chill groups fall somewhere in the middle of the two because, well, they’re just chill. This group may do some skills, ride a bit more, or not, and throw in some fun stuff.
Middle School Composite Team: runs from August to November with some preseason activities starting in June. Kids can join if they are either just interested in being more committed to mountain biking through 2/week practices and/or they want to go to the ACA middle school races with the team. The composite team practices 2 times a week from August through November with 5 races from September to November. For more information please see our Middle School Composite Team page.
9th-12 Grade Advanced Group with Coach Dustin Phillips - This group is geared towards competitive riders who are interested in exploring more structured training. The goal of this group is to prepare riders for the racing season and beyond. Please note this is an advanced group for high school aged riders.
9th-12th Grade: High School group which will be split into groups (similar to Middle School) depending on rider preferences, goals, and group size.
FLYRS Enduro with Coach Nick Nation: These groups are for intermediate to advanced riders currently in Middle - High School wanting to focus on the Enduro side of mountain biking. Riders will focus on strong uphill pushes to get to ripping descents. There will be a particular focus on advanced maneuvers to utilize on technical terrain.
In this group riders will: develop the necessary skills to navigate gravity oriented trails in a safe and controlled manner, build the strength and stamina to access the most demanding descents under one’s own power, learn the trail etiquette associated with riding trails that have a bias towards descending, learn mechanical knowledge that can give our riders the best riding experience possible, and have fun while pushing individual limits.
Gear required: capable, well maintained mountain bike preferably featuring hydraulic disc brakes, tubeless tires, and 1x drivetrains. Full suspension bikes are preferred but not required, adequate protective gear consisting of either full-face or half-shell helmets featuring at least one of the following certifications (please see your local bike shop if you are unsure of certification): CPSC, CE-EN1078, AS/NZS-2063, ASTM. Knee pads will also be required.
6th – 8th grade: In Spring we offer a 7 week session for middle schoolers split up between boys and girls groups. These groups welcome all abilities and are a great way to build community within your riding peers, increase skills, and increase fitness for the coming race season depending on your goals. In the fall we offer a 7 week session and have a Middle School Composite Team option for those looking to be more committed and potentially try competitive racing.
- New for Spring 2021 - The Middle School boys will be split into three groups - skill, chill, and earn your meal groups. Riders will have the option to join the group based on rider preferences and/or particular goals they are focused on.
Skills groups will focus more on skills, drills, sessioning trails, lines, and shorter focused rides.
Chill groups fall somewhere in the middle of the two because, well, they’re just chill. This group may do some skills, ride a bit more, or not, and throw in some fun stuff.
Middle School Composite Team: runs from August to November with some preseason activities starting in June. Kids can join if they are either just interested in being more committed to mountain biking through 2/week practices and/or they want to go to the ACA middle school races with the team. The composite team practices 2 times a week from August through November with 5 races from September to November. For more information please see our Middle School Composite Team page.
FreeWheelers Bikepacking
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FreeWheelers Bikepacking
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Trail Stars Summer Program
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This new FLYRS program will introduce youth ages 11-17 of all abilities to adventure cycling. Utilizing the bicycle as a tool for exploration of the natural environment builds a sense of place and self resilience in riders. The development of strategies and skills to explore in a respectful and sustainable way will be the focus of preliminary activities, leading to an overnight experience in the wild places near our homes.
Program Overview:
This summer camp will introduce youth of all abilities to adventure cycling. Utilizing the bicycle as a tool for exploration of the natural environment builds a sense of place and self resilience in riders. The development of strategies and skills to explore in a respectful and sustainable way will be the focus of preliminary activities, leading to an overnight experience in the wild places near our homes.
Participants:
Students from local middle and high schools can apply to this one week summer program. The program is well suited for individuals from diverse social and economic backgrounds. Riders of all abilities should find joy in these activities, whether a seasoned racer or just getting dirt under the tires of a bike for the first time.
All items listed below are essential to participate in the bikepacking programs. However, FLYRS believes that access to equipment should not be a hindrance to access to the outdoors. If anything on the list is currently not attainable, please contact us for further steps to reserve or acquire gear to successfully complete the program of choice.
Weekly Riding Essentials:
Summer session programs will be 5 consecutive days (M-F) and end with an overnight experience Thursday evening, returning Friday. Several activities below will happen on the same day in this summer session.
Activity 1
This summer camp will introduce youth of all abilities to adventure cycling. Utilizing the bicycle as a tool for exploration of the natural environment builds a sense of place and self resilience in riders. The development of strategies and skills to explore in a respectful and sustainable way will be the focus of preliminary activities, leading to an overnight experience in the wild places near our homes.
Participants:
Students from local middle and high schools can apply to this one week summer program. The program is well suited for individuals from diverse social and economic backgrounds. Riders of all abilities should find joy in these activities, whether a seasoned racer or just getting dirt under the tires of a bike for the first time.
- Trail Stars A group for beginning to intermediate 5th-11th grade riders that seek out adventure on two wheels. This group will cover basic skills and wilderness ethics for those that haven’t spent much time away from the comforts of home.
All items listed below are essential to participate in the bikepacking programs. However, FLYRS believes that access to equipment should not be a hindrance to access to the outdoors. If anything on the list is currently not attainable, please contact us for further steps to reserve or acquire gear to successfully complete the program of choice.
Weekly Riding Essentials:
- Mountain bike in working order
- Good fitting helmet
- Close-toed shoes
- Proper attire for riding in various weather conditions
- Water bottles or hydration pack
- Small first aid and bicycle repair kit
- Sleeping bag and pad
- Plate or bowl and utensil
- Toiletries
- Day pack to carry personal items
- Dry clothing for camp (layers)
- Journal
- Flashlight or Headlamp
- Camera
- Bikepacking bags
- Tent or Tarp shelter
Summer session programs will be 5 consecutive days (M-F) and end with an overnight experience Thursday evening, returning Friday. Several activities below will happen on the same day in this summer session.
Activity 1
- Meet riders and use icebreakers to introduce goals, fears, and misconceptions.
- Go for a group Ride! Discuss rules of the road, trail etiquette, etc.
- Finish with group check in, and hand out paperwork. Homework includes goal setting and any bike check needs.
- Meet riders and check in with completed goal setting.
- Go for a group ride, stopping to cover skill sets for braking and shifting briefly.
- Demonstrate how you pack for a trip by unpacking essentials from the coach's bike. Assign homework to bring a packed bike next meeting.
- Meet riders and complete a quick gear check individually.
- Go Ride! Take care to note how bags and gear change the ride feel
- Discuss trip destinations and possible route options. Allow group to decide their top choices
- Meet riders and share route option final choice and alternative
- Go Ride! Find a great spot to set up ‘camp’ and discuss campsite selection and Leave No Trace practices.
- Send home trip itinerary and packing list
- Meet riders and answer trip questions, goal check in as a group
- Go Ride! Cover trailside bike maintenance and first aid.
- Build trip journals and add first entries
- Meet Riders and voluntary journal share out to group
- Go Ride! Longer ride and nutrition discussion
- Make final menu choices as a group.
- Family meeting at end of next activity
- Meet riders and play some bike games
- Riders continue to play as coach checks in with Families
- Go Bikepacking!
- Journal reflections during and after trip
All FLYRS groups are led by a head and assistant coach who are trained in the FLYRS approach, first aid and CPR certified, and have passed a background check. We believe that coaches should enjoy working with kids, have expertise in mountain biking skills, trail etiquette, and best teaching practices, so we hire coaches who possess this requisite knowledge. Our groups meet at different locations as we progress through the season. Typical locations include Fort Tuthill, Campbell Mesa, and the “Y” off Elden Lookout Road.
FLYRS Session Breakdown
- Fall: Our Fall FLYRS sessions generally run from mid-August through mid-October each year. Each group meets once per week over 7 weeks with a final celebration on week 8. Registration for Fall FLYRS generally opens up in late June, and our groups fill on a first-come, first served basis.
- Spring: Our Spring FLYRS sessions generally run from mid-April through mid-June each year. Each group meets once per week over 7 weeks with a final celebration on week 8. Registration for Spring FLYRS generally opens up in late February, and our groups fill on a first-come, first served basis.
- Summer: Our summer camp programs have been expanding each year. In 2019 we offered two full day week long camps and one half day week long camp in June. In 2020, we offered a 2 day clinic and two half day week long camps. Summer camp registration opens in April and fills quickly so early registration is required to ensure enrollment.
- Middle School Composite Team: The FLYRS Middle School Composite Team offers Flagstaff-based middle school students an opportunity to race in the ACA (Arizona Cycling Association) mountain bike races during each Fall. Practice for the middle school composite race group begins in July, and the race season runs from September through early November at locations around the state.