What is your Cancellation & Refund Policy?

• Program fees are non-refundable after the start of a session. (In other words, there are no refunds for athletes not wanting to ride/complete the program, change of plans after the session begins, missed rides, etc.).

• Registrations may be cancelled up to 24 hours before the start of a session for a partial program fee refund (Program Fee - $75 non-refundable deposit).

• Processing/Credit card fees charged by Active.com are non-refundable through SMBA. 

• Sessions are not prorated with late registrations.

What is SMBA’s weather policy?

There are no refunds or ride make-ups for cancellations or delays due to inclement weather, poor air quality, trail closures, or other acts of nature. 

All of our coaches and athletes love to mountain bike, and we rarely cancel rides. Please be prepared to ride in all weather conditions (rain, snow, sun, wind, heat, cold temps). However, the health and safety of our coaches and athletes is important and we continually monitor air quality, weather, and trail conditions that may impact ride safety. We may change the ride location, shorten, or cancel a ride if conditions are deemed unsafe before or during a ride, or at a particular trailhead. 

When possible, the decision to cancel, shorten, or change a ride location due to inclement weather, unsafe conditions, or trail closure will be made within 1-2 hours of a scheduled ride. However, please be aware that rapid weather changes at the beginning or during a ride may result in a delay, shortening, or cancellation if the current conditions at a trail are deemed unsafe by staff. Parents will be notified of any ride changes.

We encourage parents to make the best decisions for their families and keep their athlete home any time they feel uncomfortable with the weather forecast, air quality, or trail conditions on the day of a scheduled ride. 

Weather: 

• We use Weather Underground and the National Weather Service to monitor the weather in Boulder and the nearest location to a scheduled ride. 

• A ride will be cancelled under the following weather conditions: 

  • Real feel* temperature below 40 degrees within 1-2 hours before the start of the ride or predicted to decline below 40 degrees during the ride.

  • Continuous, heavy, and accumulating precipitation (rain or snow) within 1-2 hours before the start of a ride 

  • Persistent lighting (lasting for 30 minutes or more at the start of the ride) within 6 miles of the scheduled ride location.

  • Consistent temperature at or above 100 degrees forecasted during the ride.

• A ride may be shortened or delayed, or the location may change due to the following conditions: 

  • A sudden drop in temperature during the ride (below 38 degrees)

  • Persistent lighting within 6 miles of the ride location lasting for more than 30 minutes. 

  • Heavy and accumulating precipitation, and potential flash flood conditions. 

*Real feel temperature is used to make decisions about ride cancellations because it takes into account the following factors: ambient temperature, wind chill, wind speed, humidity, and sun intensity. All of these factors are important in determining safety of ride conditions. 

Air Quality: 

• We use the standard Air Quality Index (AQI) provided by: Airnow.gov  and the real-time air quality map on PurpleAir.com to monitor the air quality in Boulder and the nearest location to a scheduled ride. 

  1. We use the CDC and EPA Air Quality & Activity Guidance for Schools  to determine whether or not a ride will be cancelled or adjusted due to air quality. 

  2. As per the guide, the following Air Quality scale will be applied: 

     •  AQI 125 or below: ride will go on as scheduled

•  AQI 126 – 150: ride distance and intensity will be decreased; number of breaks during the ride will be increased. 

• AQI 151 or above: ride will be cancelled 

Where do SMBA Rides Start & Finish?

Boulder program rides start and end at the SMBA office

• Athletes are dropped off and picked up at the SMBA office and ride in the SMBA vans to and from trailheads. Sometimes, the group rides from the SMBA office to a trailhead and back.

  • For after school rides drop off is at 4:15pm and pick-up is at 6:45pm. 

  • For Sunday rides, drop off and pick up is 10am and 4pm. 

  • During the summer, drop off and pick up is 8am and 3:30pm. 

 Dirt Riders, SMBA Gravel, Jr. Riders, Cycling Sisters programs are meet at the trailhead programs. Participants will receive a ride location schedule 1-week before start of session.

Nederland program rides meet at the schools for after school rides & Chipeta Park for summer rides

What are ride locations like, and how do coaches decide where to go each day?

Ride locations vary in mileage length, technical difficulty, and elevation gain. This provides athletes the opportunity to practice a wide range of mountain bike skills on varied terrain and adds variety to the ride schedule throughout the season. Some rides may be shorter in length and focus on a specific skill or specific sections of trail, while other rides may be longer and focus more on continuous pedaling to build endurance. 

SMBA coaches choose ride locations each day based on predicted weather/trail conditions, during the ride, trail conditions, skill practice and progression goals each week, and land agency permit rules and regulations. 

What do athletes need to carry with them on rides?

Athletes need to be prepared to be outside, riding and on a trail for the duration of the scheduled rides. Athletes must be prepared for sudden weather changes, various weather and trail conditions, and minor mechanical issues (e.g., flat tire). We recommend a hydration pack (e.g. CamelBak, Osprey, etc.) with an integrated water reservoir and enough space to hold enough water, snacks, and other necessary items for a day on the trail. 

Below is a list of items that must be carried in athlete’s packs during SMBA rides: 

• water (adequate amount for the length of the ride and hot weather; we recommend at least 100oz for a full day ride)

• snacks (easy to open and eat snacks for quick snack stops during the ride e.g., bars, fruit slices, pretzels, nuts, etc.)

• lunch (for full day rides – lunches that easily fit into packs and hold up well in a pack all day, e.g. wraps, sandwiches, etc.)

• sunscreen

• rain jacket

• tube (correct size and valve type for athlete’s bike; even if athlete has tubeless tires)

• multi-tool 

• handpump

• tissues or toilet paper

• $5.00 (sometimes groups go for hot chocolate or ice cream at the end of a ride, or can be used for a tube or patch kit if needed).

• hand sanitizer

• quart size sandwich bag (to pack out wrappers and trash at the end of the day)

• bug spray (optional, but useful in summer)

Do you have beginner programs? What if my athlete does not know how to ride a bike?

We currently do not have “learn to ride” programs, but we do offer beginner programs (Dirt Riders & Mini Camps) for young riders who already know how to balance, pedal, and brake safely on a paved or gravel surface. These programs introduce young riders to riding singletrack or off-road trails.

We also offer hourly private coaching options for beginners who would like to learn and practice basic skills with a coach.