Mountain bike camps in Europe

For some it is easy, just hop on their mountain bike, always ready to go, no fear, great body coordination, wast knowledge of trails, ability to read the landscape… But for the rest of us normal humans, mountain biking doesn’t come as natural or we just don’t have as much experience. That is when mountain biking camps come into play.

 

MOUNTAIN BIKE CAMPS IN EUROPe: Training makes the champion

Mountain Bike Camps are probably the best way to learn the proper mountain biking techniques. How to work with your bike and all the components, as well as how to work with your body weights and you joints to support the suspension of your bike and how to master the uphill as well as downhill sections of mountain bike trails. Through the right riding technique, you can also minimize the risk of hurting yourself, and gain the much-needed knowledge on how to ride more technical terrains with roots rocks and steep parts. 

The selection of mountain bike camps is growing each summer and it is really up to you which one you would like to join. You can find anything from simple one-day camps where you really only learn bike riding skills, to multiple days trip to exotic locations where you can explore new countries, cultures, make new friends and most importantly extended your mountain biking knowledge and practice your skills under the supervision of experienced guides. Some mountain biking courses even offer workshops on how to repair your own bike – since having your equipment well maintained is also an important safety factor when heading out for the trails or on a tour. You can also read our blog post about the basic bike care, our useful tips on how to improve your riding skills:

→ Bike care: How to keep your mountain bike rollin’

→ 11 tips to improve your bike-riding technique

 

 

overview: mountain biking camps & courses in EUROPE

 

SAAC controlled on the bike camps

The guys from SAAC have a long history of organizing free educational courses especially in the topic of avalanche safety for skiers and snowboarders. And this summer you can also sign up for once of their many mountain bike courses. 

These camps take 1,5 days and you won’t have to travel any further than to the Alps of Austria or South Tyrol. During the one and a half days, you will learn about bike riding technique, about your bike and how to make some basic repairs while on the tour, the safety aspects of mountain biking and about the ethics, respect, and sustainability of this beautiful sports. During each camp, the participants will be parted to groups according to their skills so anyone from the beginners to experts will have their chance on the best possible training.

As per usual the SAAC mountain bike camps as any other SAAC camps are free of charge, the only things to pay are the hotel or eventually lift- or shuttle tickets. The courses are taking place during the whole summer, with the last dates at the end of September. 

→ Click here to find more information about the SAAC controlled on the bike courses.

 

Die Rasenmäher mountain bike camps & adventures 

“Die Rasenmäher” ist the name of a bike school, founded by the two passionate mountain bikers Karen Eller and Holger Mayer. They are – of course – experienced mtb riders. Together with their team of professional bike coaches, they organize a whole variety of mtb courses and camps.  The selection is really big, so it is up to you if you would like to train your skills on the perfectly shaped trails in the Bikepark Sölden or explore the single trails of the Dolomites accompanied by true mountain bike professionals.  

And if you would like to find out more about die Rasenmäher you can ask them personally during one of our GAP Pub Bike Rides which are taking place every Thursday in Garmisch-Partenkirchen this summer.

→ Click here to explore the full selection of bike camps by die Rasenmäher

 

The offer of the German and Alpine Association

The German Alpine Association (DAV) is well known for its engagement in anything around mountains. So it is not a big surprise that the DAV also organizes many mountain bike courses to make sure your days spent in the mountains are as safe as possible for you and other participants of the mountain traffic. You can choose between ride-technique courses in three experience levels, bike repair courses or multiple-day camps. You have a choice of many locations. The basic one-day technique course for beginners costs 60 € for the members of the DAV.

→ Click here for more information on the mountain bike camps & courses of the DAV München-Oberland.

 

The Bike Women Camp in Trentino

For the fourth time the women-only mountain bike camp is taking place, this time on the coast of beautiful Carribean-blue lake Molveno during the best month of the year, September – also known as “Biketember“- because the conditions are just perfect for biking… No more sudden summer storms or heat waves, just nice warm late summer sun and light rains to keep the mountains fresh. So if you are looking for new mountain biking experience, explore new trails or finally find some new female bike-buddies the Bike Women Camp is the place the be! During four days you can enjoy the fully packed program including guided tours, bike riding-technique courses, workshops, massages, test equipment, SUP sessions, delicious food, yoga sessions and much more.

There is one more thing which makes this Wome Camp different from other, the organization team put together a huge team of women-only bike coaches to accompany all guided tours, workshops and courses during this 4-day camp. 

→ Click here to find out everything about the Bike Women Camp.