Get Ready to Ride! Kids’ Off-Road Taster – Surrey Hills

Welcome to Marmalade MTB’s brand-new Taster Rides – the perfect introduction to off-road cycling for young adventurers! We’re excited to open up the amazing world of mountain biking to the next generation, right here in the beautiful Surrey Hills.

These specially designed 1.5-hour taster sessions are all about getting active, learning new skills, and having a blast on two wheels in a safe, supportive, and fun environment. Whether your child is completely new to off-road riding or already enjoys tearing up the trails, we’ve got a group that’s just right for them.

What to expect

Our friendly and professional Marmalade MTB guides will lead small groups, ensuring everyone gets plenty of attention and encouragement. We’ll focus on introducing the fundamental skills that build confidence and control on the bike, including:

• The ‘Ready Position’: Learn the core stance for balance and agility on varied terrain
• Effective braking: Master safe and controlled stopping, essential for any off-road adventure
• Reading the trail: Simple tips to help riders navigate bumps, roots, and turns with ease

Each session is packed with adventure, exploration, and plenty of smiles as we discover the amazing woodland trails. We pride ourselves on creating a super relaxed and sociable atmosphere where young riders feel comfortable, confident, and ready to explore!

Qualified, experienced and fully insured guides

Your children will be in the safe and capable hands of our most experienced and fully qualified local guides/instructors with full first aid training and enhanced DBS checks, who know the Surrey Hills trails inside out.

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To ensure the best experience for every child, we’re offering two structured time slots catering to different ages and experience levels:

• Morning session (9:00 am – 11:00 am): New to off-road
  • Age groups: 9-11 years & 12-14 years
  • Who it’s for: Perfect for children who are confident on a bike but new to riding off-road or seeking a gentle introduction to mountain biking. We’ll cover the very basics and build confidence from the ground up.
• Late morning session (11:30 am – 1:30 pm): Regular off-road cyclist/rider
  • Age groups: 9-11 years & 12-14 years
  • Who it’s for: Ideal for children who already enjoy riding off-road on varied terrain and are looking to refine their skills and explore more flowing trails.

Our expert guides will tailor the exact trails and coaching to the group’s ability, ensuring an engaging and exhilarating session for all.

Unsure which session is right for your child? Then read on below or for more detail see the ‘‘is this for my child‘ section.

New to off-road

If this trail looks like the kind of thing your child is used to – fairly wide, smooth trails – then our ‘new to-off-road’ option will help them make progress.

Regular off-road cyclist/rider

If your child has confidently and happily ridden a trail like this before, with its bumps and dips and small obstacles, they should be fine on our ‘regular off-roader’ option.

All taster rides will meet at the fantastic Hurtwood Hideout on Holmbury Hill. This newly re-opened woodland retreat offers:

• Free parking: Convenient and ample space for drop-off and pick-up
• On-site cafe: A tranquil woodland setting for parents to relax with a hot drink and snack while their children are out riding
• Toilets: Readily available facilities.
• Bike shop: A convenient place for any last-minute needs or inspiration!

For your child’s safety and enjoyment on the trails, a mountain bike with knobbly tyres, working gears, and effective brakes is essential for these off-road taster rides. The Surrey Hills trails involve uneven, loose, and sometimes muddy terrain, so road bikes, hybrid bikes, or bikes without suitable tyres are not appropriate.

Your child will need a proper off-road-ready mountain bike. It needn’t be expensive, but should be up to the job:

• Very cheap “supermarket” bikes may look like mountain bikes but may be unsuitable
• Suspension isn’t necessary, but if present, it should be functional and wobble-free
• Tyres must be grippy and in good condition
• Brakes must be completely effective at stopping both wheels with a child’s hands using the levers
• Gears should work without skipping or jumping
• The bike should fit your child safely

Examples of child mountain bikes:

No suspension:

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Front suspension (hardtail):
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Front and rear suspension (full):

Correct fitting bikes

It is essential for your child’s safety and overall experience that their bike is the correct size. If the seatpost is clamped below the minimum recommended insertion mark, then the bike is too small for your child. This is an example of what to look for on their bike:

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Please note: All bikes will be inspected by our guides prior to the session. Any bike that doesn’t meet our basic safety standards or isn’t deemed suitable for off-road mountain biking will unfortunately not be permitted to take part in the session.

If you’re unsure whether your child’s bike is suitable, please do not hesitate to contact us before booking to discuss it, and we’ll be happy to help.

Ensure your child’s bike is in full working order and ready to ride.

Bike hire:

• Taller riders: If you child or teenager is tall and would suit adult sizes then bikes can be booked via the ‘Bike Hire‘ section direct with our friends at Just Pedal, based at the Hurtwood Hostel
• Smaller riders: If your child or teenager definitely requires a youth sized bike, then please contact us for further options

• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Distance: 5-7 mi | 8-11 km
• Ascent: 330 ft | 100 m
• Level: +2
  (If you have any questions about the level, see the Is this for my child? tab or just contact us)
• Meet time:
  • Morning session: 9.00am │ 9.30am on bikes
  • Afternoon session: 11.30am | 12.00pm on bikes
• Meet point: The Hurtwood Hideout, Holmbury St Mary

Equipment, kit and clothing

Essentials:

• Suitable mountain bike in good working order (bikes can be hired in advance)
• Helmet (in good condition, with no damage)
• Clothing and shoes appropriate for cycling and weather conditions on the day
• Personal choice of drink and ride snacks

Recommended:

• Gloves
• Glasses, sunglasses or eyeshields
• Backpack
• Spare inner tube
• Puncture repair kit and bicycle pump
• Padded cycling shorts for comfort

What’s not included

• Bike hire:
  • See ‘Bike Hire‘ section for full details
• Personal clothing & equipment
• Overnight accommodation
• Pre, during or post activity refreshments
• Personal travel or accident Insurance

• To take part, the child will need to be active person who has the personal fitness to ride for at least 1.5 hours at a social and comfortable pace, with breaks
• They will be confident in riding bicycles and proficient with operating their bicycle in the correct manner
  • This is NOT a ‘bikeability’ or ‘learn how to ride‘ course or session
• The trails do include features such as roots and loose rocks, along with small rollable steps – all of which can be easily ridden or avoided
• This ride does contain undulating trails – and in places, climbs that may be challenging
• This ride requires a suitable mountain bike (Hybrid and budget bicycles are not suitable)
  • See below for bike hire details or contact us if you are not sure what type of bike your child has
• If this ride sounds a little beyond their current skill and fitness level, please contact us and we’ll help you look at other options

This private area of Surrey is a special place, protected by the guardianship of a registered charity. Away from the public rights of way there is a vast network of unmarked mountain bike trails on private land. Through responsible and professional mountain bike leadership and coaching we are proud to be a supporting partner of Friends of the Hurtwood, with full permission to operate here.

Please read before you book:

• Taller riders: If you child or teenager is tall and would suit adult sizes then bikes can be booked below direct with our friends at Just Pedal, based at the Hurtwood Hideout
• Smaller riders: If your child or teenager definitely requires a youth sized bike, then please contact us for further options

How to book a bike:

1. From the system below select the dates to match the open group ride you have booked with us
2. Select the 2 hour option
3. Select Hurtwood Hostel as the location
4. Select normal mountain bike
   • Electric mountain bikes are not permitted on these taster sessions
     • See UK government legislation further information
5. Choose the size of bike, based on your height
6. Go to checkout and complete the bike hire reservation for each rider

These fantastic bikes, and this booking system, are provided by our friends at Just Pedal – Hurtwood. If you have any questions or problems around booking your bike, just contact the Just Pedal team and they’ll help.