FAQ

In this section, Jo Fergie, Dirt Series Program Coordinator, provides answers to your frequently asked questions.

You can read through the whole list, or jump down to Registration, Logistics, Skill Levels, or Equipment.

If you find your question answered here, great. If not, please just send it in to us, and we’ll answer it for you personally.

REGISTRATION

• Can I get a group discount when registering with my gift certificate?
  
  If your gift certificate was purchased after January 31, for the regular camp rate, then yes, you can certainly get a group discount. If your gift certificate was purchased before January 31, however, then you've already received a discount that is greater than the group discount.
  
  If your friends want to use your name to make up the eight registrants required for a group then they can, but it won't be in your best interest to pay the group discount rate (which is 10% off the regular camp fee) instead of the pre-Feb gift certificate rate (which is more than 10% off the regular camp fee given that the charge was in Canadian dollars and taxes were included).What time does the camp start and where do I meet the group?
• Do I have any options if the camp I want to take is already full?
  
  Once a camp fills up, we start a waitlist. Use the camp schedule or the registration page to access it.
• Do you offer discounts for returning participants?
  
  About a month before registration starts, we send an email out to all past participants, offering camp gift certificates at below regular camp costs. Therefore, if someone has been to a camp before and commits to attending again, they can guarantee themselves 10-15% savings.
  
  We also offer group discounts for groups of eight or more, and a fixed number of scholarships for those who couldn’t otherwise afford the camps at all.

Logistics

• What time does the camp start and where do I meet the group?
  
  Most camps start at 8:30AM. Whistler camps start at 8AM. All camps start at the host shop. If you need directions, please feel free to click on their link in the camp schedule.
• What time does the camp end?
  
  The camp runs until 8:00PM on the first day, and until approximately 5:00PM on the second.
  
  If you need to get home and don't think that the approximate 5:00PM finish will allow you to do that, please talk to us in advance so that we can make arrangements to accommodate you.
• What if the camp involves driving from the shop to the skill and riding areas, and I don't have a car?
  
  All you need to do is get yourself to the shop in the morning. We'll arrange carpools with other participants from there.
• Will the camp still go ahead if it’s raining?
  
  Yes, it will. Barring a natural disaster, we will be out there, ready to have a fantastic time. Take it from past participants, once the skill sessions begin, you practically forget it’s even raining. That said, be sure to bring appropriate clothing so that you’re as dry, warm, and comfortable as possible.
• Are the co-ed camps still taught by women?
  
  Yes, they are, with some male coaches added in for good measure. Check out their bios in the coaches section.
• Do you have any recommendations for lodging on-site?
  
  Yes. We include a list of suggestions in the details for each camp. Just click on the name of a specific camp on the camp schedule. If the information’s not there yet for the particular camp you’re interested in, please trust that it will be soon. We’re working on it as you read.

Skill Levels and Disciplines

• How do you determine my skill level and decide which group I ride with during the weekend?
  
  We ask you to fill out a fairly extensive skill and interest questionnaire when you first register for the camp. This gives us a good idea of where you're at with your riding, and what you're most excited to learn.
  
  If your skills and interests change significantly between the time you register for the camp and the actual camp date, you have the opportunity to submit another participant questionnaire as an update.
  
  We use all this information to place you in a group, and ideally, this is the group you'll feel happiest in throughout the camp weekend. If, however, you find that you'd prefer to be riding and learning with a different group, we'll switch things for you.
• If a camp offers cross-country and lift-assisted downhill options, do I get to choose between those too?
  
  Yes. At Whistler camps, for example, you can choose to spend both days riding the cross-country trails in the valley, both days riding the downhill trails in the bike park, or one day in each area.
  
  Actually, the Whistler camp questionnaire is so extensive that, if you like, you can choose every individual skill session and every individual ride. There are more options in our program than ever before, so if there’s a particular style, level, or skill set you want to focus on, now is your chance.
  
  Depending on how things shake out with weather, opening dates, and permit options, there might be lift-assisted downhill options at our Park City and Calgary camps too. Check the location pages for updates, and know that if those opportunities come available, we’ll be checking with you for your preferences there too.
• Could it be possible that I am too much of a beginner for this camp?
  
  Very unlikely. In order to enjoy the camp, all you need to be able to do is ride a bike comfortably on bumpy gravel terrain, shift your gears, and use your brakes. Our step-by-step approach and ultra-encouraging coaches will take it from there, and probably teach you a year’s worth of skills in one weekend.
  
  There is always a great group of beginner riders at every camp, and since we organize all the participants according to ability level and interest, you’ll be in good company. The list of skills you can look forward to learning is long. Here are some to start you off:
  
  A dynamic on-bike body position: neutral position, ready position, fore-aft movement and lateral movement.
  
  (1) Front wheel lifts: getting up a curb and over a log with ease.
  
  (2) Technical braking and descending: getting the most out of your brakes, choosing your lines, and making descents of all kinds more than manageable.
  
  (3) Climbing: key techniques to minimize your exertion and maximize your success.
  
  (4) Tight cornering: making your way through switchbacks and twisty spaces.
  
  (5) Straight line riding: all the secrets for narrow trails, bridges, and even teeter-totters if you’re so inclined.
  
  Beginner riders have a fantastic time at our camps. If you’re thinking of attending, you should.
• Will this camp be challenging enough if I’m an advanced rider looking to focus on freeride and downhill skills?
  
  If you want to focus exclusively on advanced freeride and downhill skills then you would be best coming to one of the camp locations that excels in that style of riding.
  
  The first that comes to mind is Whistler, since there’s a whole downhill park to work in, and coaches involved who have won races and earned freeride titles on its very trails.
  
  Locations like North Vancouver and Hood River can also work really well since there are some fantastic technical descents, and a large amount of advanced trail options overall. Be prepared to do some pedaling though.
  
  Last year we changed our grouping systems, so that participants could take more of a role in selecting the specific skills they wanted to develop. Back to the Whistler example, here are a couple of the advanced sessions offered:
  
  (1) Gap jumps, wall rides, tricks, and incorporating air into more technical trail environments.
  
  (2) Line selection, maintaining traction, creating fluidity and managing steep rock faces and successive technical drops.
  
  That said, we bring enough stunts and related teaching aids to all locations to be able to put together a labyrinth of planks, a-frames, and teeter-totters, create high speed cornering challenges, and set up wheelie drop and manual ramps at varying heights too. We actually worked on these stunts all through last summer, and are excited for the extra levels we’re now able to teach.
  
  So, if you’re at the peak of the pyramid and wanting the most challenging conditions around, click on the name of a specific camp in the schedule and pick a location that matches your preference. Still have questions: email us and we’ll be happy to help.
• I’m an avid cross-country rider, but would like to get faster and more comfortable in technical terrain – going down drops, managing steep descents, clearing obstacles. Is this camp for me?
  
  Yes. There are heaps of options in between the beginner and advanced scenarios above, and often those with lots of miles under their tires are super quick to pick up new techniques.
  
  We’ve had expert and pro level cross-country racers come to our camps and find that developing their technical skills allows them to shave all kinds of time off their rides. Plus, it’s fun for anyone to learn new skills, and incredibly useful too.

Equipment

• What kind of bike do I need to bring?
  
  You need to bring a mountain bike that fits you and is in good working condition, that is to say with gears and brakes working, bolts tightened, and recently checked over by a certified bike mechanic.
  
  You'll want to be on a bike that has front suspension; rear suspension is an added bonus. Having a quick release on your seat post is also really useful, as it makes raising and lowering your saddle during the skill sessions and rides that much quicker. If you don't have one already, you might want to consider getting one before camp, or buying one on the first morning.
  
  If you have two bikes at home and are trying to decide between them, bring the one that is best suited to the skills you most want to work on.
  
  That said, if you're planning to bring a downhill bike that would be very heavy to ride uphill, you might want to attend one of the camps that that has lift accessed mountain biking as one of the options.
  
  For more information on the different characteristics of the different camps, click through the location pages.For more information on getting your bike ready for the weekend, check out the section titled What to Bring.
• Do I need a full-face helmet?
  
  It depends on the camp you’re taking, the skills and rides you’d like to do at that camp, and then your personal choice (except in the following case).
  
  We require full-face helmets for our most advanced bike park skill sessions and rides. We strongly recommend them for other bike park riding, North Shore riding, and advanced downhill and freeride focused riding of all kinds.
  
  If you have a full-face helmet, bring it with you. If you’d like to rent one on-site, click on the bike shop link associated with your camp and double check that one will be available for you.
  
  If you bring a full-face with you, it’s helpful to bring a cross-country or half-shell helmet as well. Sometimes you might choose to be in skill sessions that are lower risk (and higher heat) like bunny hops and track stands, and you’ll be happy to have that lighter helmet around.
• The “what to bring” section suggests flat pedals. I ride with clipless pedals all the time, and feel that I won’t ride as well without them as I’m used to being “attached” to my bike. Should I really switch my pedals and shoes for the weekend?
  
  Funny. I had this very same question the first time someone suggested I use flat pedals to learn a new skill.
  
  Basically, if you’re super comfortable with your clipless pedals, so much so that you never have to think about getting in or out, you don’t have to use flats for the course.
  
  However, flats really do make some skills much easier to learn. For example, when learning wheelie drops you want to make sure you can get off the back of your bike quickly, and when learning to ride on elevated planks you want a wider platform under your feet for balance and, again, the opportunity to get off your bike super fast.
  
  On the flip side, flats make technical climbs slightly more difficult and long rides a bit more tiring, as there isn’t the same exact efficiency involved. What we suggest you do is put a pair of flat pedals on your bike, set yourself up with a pair of flat soft-soled shoes, and practice on them a few times before the camp.
  
  Depending on how comfortable you feel, and what skills you most want to learn, you can then decide to: a) use flats for the entire course, b) use them for just the morning skill sessions and switch back to clipless for the afternoon rides, or c) not use them at all.
  
  Note 1: if you plan to switch pedals at lunchtime, it’s a good idea to bring a pedal wrench with you as well.
  
  Note 2: If you haven’t already read through the “what to bring” section, please head over there and take a look through it now. There are some important points on shoe / pedal compatibility, so important that we’re tempted to type them out here again too. We’re going to trust you to look at them there though (and promise they’ll make a huge difference in your camp success).
• What demo equipment will you have available at the camp?
  
  This year we'll have a great selection of Trek demo bikes:
  
  a) cross-country, all mountain, and freeride bikes at all the women's specific camps: Top Fuel 9.8 WSD, Fuel EX WSD, Remedy 8 and Remedy 9.8, and Scratch Air 8
  
  b) additional cross-country and all mountain unisex bikes at the two co-ed camps: Top Fuel and Fuel EX
  
  c) additional freeride and downhill specific bikes at all four Whistler camps: Scratch 9, and Session 8 and 88
  
  If you want to get details on any of these bikes, head on over to the Trek Bikes website . It's super complete and also super easy to use.
  
  When we were making our final title sponsorship decision we asked a number of people in the industry which company they thought had the best 2010 line. The answer was almost unanimous, and we’re sure that when you get on these demo bikes you’ll be completely impressed.
  
  All the bikes will be styled out with Fox Racing Shox suspension, and some will have the Joplin crankbrothers seat post too.
  
  We’ll also have crankbrothers 5050XX flat pedals available to demo separately, as well as a variety of sizes of women’s specific and unisex Race Face armor.
  
  On top of that, if your coach is wearing or using something you're interested in, just ask and they'll be happy to show it to you, talk to you about it, and give you whatever information you might find helpful.
• How do I go about arranging to use the demo equipment if I’m interested?
  
  If you’d like to email us (register@dirtseries.com) in advance to book demo equipment for your camp, feel free. Sometimes it works just fine to arrange things once you get to camp, but sometimes there’s more demand, so if there’s a particular bike you’re already sure you’d like to try, let us know now.
  
  That said, our policy with regard to all demo equipment is to give as many participants as possible the chance demo once, before giving any one participant the chance to demo twice.
  
  In other words, if you use a demo bike for one day, you’ll be able to use one for the other day only as long as there isn’t someone else who hasn’t yet had the opportunity waiting already “in line”.
  
  Demo equipment is more in demand at some camps than others. If you’d like to get an idea of the chances of your being able to use a bike, armor, or pedals for more than one day, get in touch with us and we’ll see what we can do to help.