Our Youth Coach and Ride follows a simple but effective formula: 90 minutes of focused skills development followed by 90 minutes of progressive trail riding to put those new techniques into practice.

Aimed at young mountain bikers who already ride off-road regularly, this session moves beyond the basics. While the specific focus of the day is often tailored to the group’s ability and the conditions, we typically explore the elements of our ‘Cornering and Flow’ curriculum—helping riders carry more speed through berms, improve their line choice, and maintain momentum over roots and technical terrain. As a group of young riders, there is almost always an appetite for getting wheels off the ground, so we will look at the fundamentals of jumps and drops when the progression feels right.

Itinerary

• 1.00pm: Meet at the Hurtwood Hideout for bike checks and briefing.

• 1.30pm – 3.00pm: Structured coaching session focusing on technical skills and trail confidence.

• 3.00pm – 3.15am: Packed lunch time with a view!

• 3.15pm – 4.45pm: A progressive guided ride on the famous woodland trails of Holmbury or Pitch Hill to apply the earlier learning.

• 4.45pm: Return to base for parent handover and feedback.

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: Two per group

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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This session is for active 10–14 year olds who are already comfortable riding singletrack trails and have a good level of fitness. Riders should be able to spend upto three hours on the trails at a sociable pace with breaks.

If your child is new to mountain biking, we recommend starting with our Kids Off-Road Taster sessions first.

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

Unsure if this 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 Kids Off-Road Intro sessions are best for them.

Regular off-road rider

If your child has confidently and happily ridden a trail like this before, with its bumps and dips and small obstacles, and are considered a regular mountain biker then this Coach and Ride option be ideal for them.

All our youth sessions 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 our Coach and Ride sessions. 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 Hideout
• Smaller riders: If your child or teenager definitely requires a youth sized bike, then please contact us for further options

• Duration: 3 hours
• Distance: 7-10 mi | 11-16 km
• Ascent: 650 ft | 200 m
• Level: +4
  (If you have any questions about the level, see the Is this for my child? tab or just contact us)
• Meet time: 1.00pm │ 1.30pm 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
• Packed lunch
• 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
• Packed lunch
• 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 3 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.

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 Full Day option for maximum contigency
3. Select Hurtwood Hostel from the ‘Pickup location’ dropdown menu
4. Select your choice of mountain bike
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.