Course description and objectives
This class will give the student an over-all view of mountain biking, rules of the trail and road, safety, riding technique, clothing, equipment, and basic bike maintenance.  During the first few classes, part of each session will be dedicated to lecture and discussion on relevant topics, and the remainder of each class will be allocated to a ride in the local area.  During the remaining weeks, the entire class session will be dedicated to riding.  Upon completion of the course, the student will have learned safe and effective mountain biking techniques, improved his/her fitness, and acquired basic bike maintenance skills.

Course requirements and evaluation criteria
Grades will be based on attendance, participation, safety, and the completion of a training journal.
Attendance 40%
Participation and safety 40%
Training journal 20%

Attendance:   Come to class – there are no “excused absences”.  During an eight-week course, students should attend every class if they wish to do well.  In the event that a student misses a class, the student must participate in a biking trip sponsored by the Outdoor Program to make up for the missed class (see below).

Participation and safety:  Ride safely!  Students are expected to participate in the weekly rides, and they must not endanger the safety of themselves or others while participating in the rides.  Students are encouraged to bring water and stay well hydrated during the rides.

Training journal:  Training journals enable cyclists to monitor their levels of fitness and keep track of prior riding experiences and future goals.  During the semester, students will write a paragraph (typed, double-spaced) after each ride.  Topics may include ride logistics (location, length, time, and difficulty), techniques learned and/or practiced, bike maintenance, performance, training goals, etc.  At the end of the semester, students will submit their training journals to the instructors for evaluation.  Journals must be submitted to Pete (or put in his box) in the Outdoor Program office by The specified date.

Schedule
Unless notified otherwise, all classes will meet in the Outdoor Program office in the basement of the Pond Student Union Building on Thursdays at 1:00 PM.  Occasionally, the class may meet at a different location, and the instructors will notify students during the prior class period as to the alternate meeting place.  The tentative schedule for the semester:

1st class Introduction, clothing, equipment, and safety and short ride
2nd class Trail maintenance and ride
3rd class Health and nutrition and ride
4th class Seasonal/shop maintenance and ride
5th class Less talking – more riding
6th class Ride
7th class Ride
8th class  Ride – Turn in Training Journal by 5:00 PM on Friday, October 13.
 Required equipment
A bicycle and helmet are required for all rides.  Students should also dress appropriately and carry tools and spare parts to repair their own bikes on the trail.

Text
There is no required text for this class.  Reading materials and videos are available in the Outdoor Program office.

Other biking opportunities
The Outdoor Program will offer many opportunities for students to ride during the semester.  Several trips are arranged through the Outdoor program office.  These trips are usually posted in our calendar or on the office bulletin board.  If you wish to participate in these rides, stop by the Outdoor Program office to sign up in advance.

Risk acknowledgement and release of liability waiver
Activity and dance technique classes involve inherent risk.  With this in mind, all SSPED activity and dance class students are required to read and sign the attached risk acknowledgment and release of liability waiver prior to class participation.

Reasonable accommodation for students with disabilities
If you have a diagnosed disability or believe that you have a disability that might require “reasonable accommodation” on the part of the instructor, please call the Director of the Center of Services for Students with Disabilities at 282-3599.  As a part of the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is the responsibility of the student to disclose a disability prior to requesting reasonable accommodation.