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A FREE "Try It Out" (TIO) session allows your student-athlete to join one of our regular team practices for a flexible amount of time. They’ll get to meet our coaches and riders, experience a typical practice session, learn some basic mountain biking skills, and have fun on the trails all while getting a feel for what Catskill Claws is all about.

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We offer each student one FREE TIO session per season because we understand that many kids and parents may not be familiar with organized youth mountain biking. We want your child to have the opportunity to experience it firsthand and decide if it’s something they enjoy before making a commitment to join the team.

 

Catskill Claws is made of boys and girls in 5th-12th grades from a variety of schools and communities. Our riders have a wide range of experience and different levels of skill from beginners to experience. We focus on cross-country mountain biking. We do not do stunts, extreme riding or downhill racing. Our goal is to practice cross country mountain bike training which will allow the student-athlete to ride the trails safely and with confidence while enjoying the great outdoors.   

 

                                               What To Expect the Day of Your TIO Practice Session:

 

For the TIO session, you will arrive at one of our practice sessions on the day and time that was previously arranged with us. We will double check and make sure you have all the equipment needed and answer any questions you may have.

 

We require all students to have the necessary equipment and items with them to participate. If you are having trouble obtaining these items, please let us know as we may have loaner items available for you to use for that day. 

 

During a typical practice session, we start with warmups and basic mountain bike skills training and then head out for some cross-country trail riding. TIO students will have a coach with them at all times. If the student is a beginner we will take them on trails that are suited to their abilities and experience level.   

 

The amount of time a student spends with us during their TIO session is up to them. Each practice session is 3 hours long, but as a TIO student the time you spend with us is flexible and is completely up to the student. When they want to end the session, they just let their coach know and they will accompany them back to their parent/guardian.

 

When Can I Schedule a TIO Practice Session?

 

Generally, the best time to have a TIO session is during our pre-season practices, October thru November on Saturdays from 10am-1pm at Lippman Park in Wawarsing or Walnut Mountain in Liberty. During our regular season the best time would be May-June.

 Take The Next Step

 

Contact us and let us know you are interested in the FREE “Try It Out” practice session.  We will answer any questions you may have and when you’re ready, we can schedule a day for your athlete’s session.

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 Come and give it a try!  Bring a friend and do it together!