Youth Recreation Cycling Programs

  • Fun and friendships
  • Safe​​
  • Build skills, strength & endurance

NCCH’s recreation program is aimed at young riders ages 6-15 with levels ranging from beginners through to those interested in riding with a group at a recreational pace or for those interested in building up to competition levels*. 

Winter is no barrier! Outdoor rides are typically on grass, gravel and or wooded trails around the Morgan Firestone Arena in Ancaster from April through to October. During winter months we move to a large building at the Ancaster Fair Grounds where we offer fun technical skills training using our special built MTB equipment. In early spring we move to our CompuTrainer studio or virtually at your home with your own smart trainer where we offer strength and endurance training as well as virtual group ride and race opportunities.

Equipment: Most recreational riders use mountain bikes (MTB), must be in good working order and fitted such that the rider is able to maintain control. Helmet is also required.
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* At the pre-competition level the rider aims to be able to ride for 1.5hrs hours with moderate hills and moderate technical difficulty and able to complete basic maintenance on their own bike.
Animate On Scroll.
3 Steps to participate in NCCH Recreation Programs:
  1. ​Acquire an OCA Provincial (Citizens) Permit ($40/year) under the team name 'National Cycling Centre Hamilton'. Save a PDF copy of this permit or confirmation of purchase for uploading in Step 2.
  2. Join NCCH ($10/year). Joining NCCH means the rider is joining the National Cycling Centre Hamilton team (a private team registered with OCA). - Youth registrations must be completed by a parent (guardian).
  3. ​​​Register for the NCCH Recreation Programs of your choice. See Blue Program Registration buttons at bottom of page.
Be sure to take advantage of our 15% Discount with Early Registration!!
​Details Below.
For more information
please visit our Member Welcome Guide
​and/or contact ​recruitmentdirector@ncch.ca

Spring/Summer

Beginner through to Pre-Competitive 
Spring/Summer Recreation Programs
For riders wanting to learn basic bike skills (balance, braking, gearing, cornering) through to riders at the pre-competition level*.  Riders will be put into ability based groups (~7:1 rider/coach ratio) and can change throughout the program as riders progress at different rates. 

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Session 1: New dates/times due to Covid Shutdown Order: 
June 16 to July 3rd
Wednesdays 5:00-8:00pm
Saturdays 9:00am-12 noon.
​Session 2: July 7 to September 11th.
​Wednesdays 6:00 pm - 7:30 p.m.
Saturdays11:30 am - 1:00 p.m.
Choose to attend  Wednesdays only or Saturdays only ($153), or Wednesdays &  Saturdays ($248) for each Session.
​15% discount if registered before midnight on March 31 for Session 1 and before Midnight on June 19 for Session 2. Spots are limited. Add your name to full programs with Waitlists. We will contact you if spot becomes available.

Fall

Explore new cycling trails and activities.
Fall Explorer and Mini Explorer Camps​​
Each week your child will explore different cycling trails, and activities including fun pump tracks, cyclocross race, gravel ride, orienteering etc. Extra park entry fees may apply to certain parks.

Prerequisite:
Able to participate in group ride settings on varying modest terrains (similar to NCCH Summer Rec. Program rides). Contact recreation@ncch.ca if you have any questions about rider's ability to participate.
Sept. 18 to Oct. 30th
​(7 weeks)

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Saturdays
Mini Explorer Camp
(Typical Age 5-8)
9:30 am - 11:00 am.
Explorer Camp
​(Typical age 9-14)
​11:30am -1:00pm
$118.00
15% discount for Early Registration before August 21. Spots are limited. Add your name to full programs with Waitlists. We will contact you if spot becomes available.
Fall Explorer and Mini Explorer Program Registrations 
 Now Open
[must first Join NCCH Team - see Steps 1 & 2 above]

Winter

Build strong technical skills 
Winter Indoor MTB Skills Camp​
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​Continue developing technical skills, agility and strength throughout the winter months  with our custom MTB skills equipment in a safe fun environment located in large building at the Ancaster Fair Grounds -School Fair Building.
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Saturdays, Nov. 27 - Jan. 29 (excluding December 25, January 1, 8 sessions total)

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Ages 11-14, 12:30 pm-1:30 pm
Ages 8-10, 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Ages 5-7, 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Contact recreation@ncch.ca if you have questions about rider's ability or class time.
$118.00
15% discount for Early Registration before midnight November 21. Spots are limited.


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Winter Indoor MTB Skills Program Registration
Now Open
[Must first Join NCCH Team - see Steps 1 & 2 above]

Early Spring

Off season training.
Cyclefit Training
Virtual & Interactive
​​This program is Covid Compliant as your child trains at home led by NCCH coach and joined by other NCCH riders, all connected by Training Peaks and Zwift apps. It is aimed at getting youth fit and ready for the outdoor cycling season! Youth not only boost their strength, endurance and speed, they also develop cadence and gearing skills that are sometimes difficult to learn outside on uneven terrain.
​March 3 - April7
(6 weeks)

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​Wed 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Sat 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Choose to attend Wednesdays only ($82) or Wednesdays & Saturdays ($147).
Includes rental of Elite TUO Smart Trainer and MBX bike. All you need to provide is a compatible device to run the Zwift app! Click here for details & video. 
 Spring Virtual Cyclefit Program Registration 
​Not Yet Open
[Must first Join NCCH Team - Steps 1 & 2 above]
Learn to pedal and balance.
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.Strider
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Before your child begins to pedal, have them learn to ride a NCCH balance bike. Develop two-wheeled balance, coordination, and confidence. We ride fun mini-cyclocross courses and pathways.

​*NCCH provides the balance bikes
​Typical age group 3-6 years
​Not offered at this time due to Covid 19.
​$TBD