Charlotte’s Premier Youth MTB Organization
It’s time to register for the 2026-27 program! We ride and train together throughout the school year, host day camps on select CMS Teacher Work Days and Holidays, and we will also take some weekend trips to Western NC for camping/riding, and offer racing opportunities at a wide variety of local, regional, and nationalUSA Cycling (USAC)-sanctioned races in multiple disciplines.
We are the only club in Charlotte offering that range of opportunity!
We give riders of all skill levels the opportunity to ride, train, jump, and shred with like-minded riders of a similar skill level. Certified adult skills instructors and well-trained teenage mentors teach riders the skills they need to reach their goals through skills instruction. From winning races in multiple disciplines, to boosting bigger airs, hitting gnarly drops, or simply developing the skills to be smooth and confident - CLTMTB can help your rider progress. CLTMTB raises the bar and gives riders the opportunity to push themselves and experience all that the sport of mountain biking has to offer…
Each weekday ride begins with a focused skills session to keep riders’ fundamentals sharp while developing more advanced techniques throughout the year. Coach Shawn has thousands of hours of experience catering to riders of all abilities and interests and has a trained staff of certified adult instructors and accomplished high school-aged student athletes to mentor young riders and help them develop their passion for mountain biking.
At every ride, we break into groups to focus on different skills, riding styles, speeds, and abilities to keep every young rider engaged, progressing, and having FUN. There is NO requirement for anyone to race. If your young rider is a jumper/jibber/shredder, CLTMTB club also has a group for them. BUT, if you are interested in racing… you have come to the right place for that as well.
As a member of a CLTMTB Club, all riders are eligible to attend Day Camps throughout the school year scheduled on select CMS school holidays and teacher workdays at no additional cost!
*ALL riders must be at least 8 years old at time of registration AND ride a somewhat modern, safe, functional mountain bike with at least 24” wheels. If you have a concern or question regarding your rider’s bike - feel free to contact Coach Shawn, or take it to your favorite local bike shop for an assessment. They know what CLTMTB is all about and can let you know if your rider’s bike is up to the job!
RIDE Club
Perfect for riders 8 and up who want the opportunity to ride with a community of like-minded young mountain bikers in a safe, controlled atmosphere. Each weekday ride includes 30-60 minutes of structured, professional skills instruction.
Access to 2 Rides per Week (Tuesday & Thursday, 4:30 - 6:30pm)
Camp Days on select CMS Teacher Work Days with 5 or more riders RSVP’d
Weekend Riding / Camping Trips
Race Support at the Winter Short Track Series
$1,799/9 month program
Pay Over Time, Interest Free with KLARNA at Checkout!
20% SIBLING DISCOUNT (Off the Second/+ Rider after Registering One Rider at Full Price)
9 Months: september 2026 - May 2027
RACE Club
Back for 2025-26, riders 12y/o and up who want the opportunity to take their riding and racing to a higher level. Ride and Train with a team of like-minded mountain bikers of a similar skill level. Membership in the RACE CLUB is suitable for members of ANY NICA team, but NOT for riders who are already involved with another private coaching program or USAC Club.
CLTMTB RACE Club membership includes:
Race-Club Specific Practice Monday
Race-Club Specific Ride Groups and programming on Tuesdays & Thursdays
6 Day-per-Week Virtual Training Plan via Training Peaks
Training Peaks Premium Athlete Account included ($135 value)
2 Race Jerseys
Professional Strength & Conditioning Program with Weekly Touchpoint/Calls
Camp Days on select CMS Teacher Work Days
Weekend Riding / Training Trips
Travel Practice for Gravity-Focused Riders at Kanuga & Rock Creek
Private Clinics with Guest Coaches (split this discounted cost among attendees)
Full Race Support
Course Preview Laps, Track Walks, and OnSite Practices
In-Person Coaching with Line Coaching, Strategy, and Technique
20’x20’ Pit Area Accommodations for Riders and Parents
Coach-Led WarmUps & Stretching
Bike Prep, Mechanical Support, Bike Wash, & Maintenance
Nutrition/Hydration - Snacks, Supplements, Electrolytes, Cold Water, and more!
*See below for much more detailed information on racing with CLTMTB.
$3,799/year
Pay Over Time, Interest Free with KLARNA at Checkout!
12 Months, september 2026 - august 2027
RACE Club Information
In 2026 - 27 CLTMTB will be competing as a USA Cycling Club at Local, Regional, and National Races throughout the year in all disciplines of the sport! Reese club members will have more than 25 opportunities to race. CLTMTB races at the Start2Finish Winter Short Track Series, and many other local/regional races including many of the USAC-sanctioned USMTB Series events and more. We have a team segment which is more focused on ENDURO and DOWNHILL racing (Downhill SouthEast Series, GoNuts Series, Gravity Carolinas, Tennessee National, the COMPLETE Monster Pro Downhill National Series, and more). CLTMTB brings a full, professional race-day pit to every race to support all our RACE Club members and their families.
CLTMTB Race Club includes special strength and performance training programming created specifically for young riders who are serious about racing. These workouts are available to RACE Club members only via Training Peaks where riders can follow regularly-scheduled workouts and ride planning up to 6 days per week! Riders who are serious about racing will attend a goal-setting/race scheduling meeting with Coach Shawn at the beginning of the season, as well as regular assessments and touchpoint meetings/calls. Every Race Club member has a TrainingPeaks Premium Account included with their membership.
RACE Club membership includes:
Race Training
Race Club-Specific Practice every Monday
Race Club-Specific Groups at Rides on Tuesdays & Thursdays
Racecourse Pre-Rides & Track Walks
Professional Strength & Conditioning Program via Training Peaks
Weekly Touchpoint Zoom Meetings/Calls at Rider’s Request
Personalized Coaching and Skills Instruction
Transportation / Accommodations
CLTMTB may provide transportation to/from the venue in a 15 passenger van for riders, bikes, and gear to weekend practices or Regional Races when we have at least 10 riders registered for a race event, for an additional charge, split among participating families. Accommodations at some races including meals, team houses, or group camping spots may be planned and reserved by the team for an additional charge, split among participating families. This will rely heavily on parent/family participation and planning!
Race Schedule
Our proposed race schedule will be updated regularly and we will attend races in which 5 or more riders are interested. CLTMTB will be registered as a USA Cycling (USAC) Race Club for 2025-26 and will focus primarily on attending USAC-Sanctioned races as a club team. CLTMTB is the only Juniors Club in the greater Charlotte area which offers riders the opportunity to race in all disciplines of mountain bike racing including Enuro and Downhill.
In 2026, we will attend USAC National Competitions, schedule TBA. These races will be held regionally.
REQUIREMENTS
BICYCLE
Each rider’s bicycle must fit properly. If a rider cannot stand and straddle the top tube comfortably (without being in direct contact with/sitting on the top tube) then, the bike is far too big and therefore unsafe to ride. Riding a bike that is too big for the rider is NOT an advantage - it is a serious disadvantage and will hold them back and keep them from being able to learn and execute proper technique to learn the skills we teach at CLTMTB. Riding a bike that is a little small for them is MUCH better than riding a bike that is too big.
All bicycles MUST BE clean and in proper working order. Please! This includes: functional brakes front AND rear, smooth shifting, does not regularly drop the chain, does not squeak and clunk (loose hubs), does not have bald tires, has been tuned up recently by a qualified mechanic, and is clean. If you show up to drop off your rider and their bike is in poor repair, your rider may not be allowed to participate until their bike is properly repaired.
Proper working order also includes a clean drive train. It is very unpleasant for instructors to have to help a rider fix their bike (put their chain back on or similar and the chain is a filthy black greasy mess. Please learn how to and clean and lube your rider’s drive train on their bike so that is nice and clean for the first day of camp. Cheap citrus degreaser, old toothbrushes, and shop rags work great. Bike chain cleaners work better and I highly recommend getting one for every family BUT they aren’t necessary. There are lots of youtube videos on how to do this and your young rider can probably do it all themselves with supervision.
Ideally, if everyone can take a few minutes to adjust the “reach” of their rider’s brake levers, that will save us a lot of time on Monday. Please give this a try yourself. This video will show you where / how MOST brake levers on youth mountain bikes can be adjusted. https://youtu.be/xwoRZL1Mcos
NO kickstands, please. Remove the kickstand from your rider’s bike if they have one and do not send them to CLTMTB rides with a kickstand on the bicycle. Kickstands and mountain bikes on trails do not go well together and may end in accident or injury.
HELMET
Please make sure your young rider is wearing a helmet that fits them properly. Helmets should NOT perch high on top of their head, but should fit low across the top of their brow and cover the back of their head. If your rider has been wearing the same helmet for 3 or 4 years, it is probably time to buy a new one. Helmets should not be cracked, gouged or have any damage from a crash or fall. I have found that BELL makes excellent youth helmets. Ideally, the chin strap should have adjustable buckles on either side at the jawbone, as well as the buckle beneath the chin.
NO FULL-FACE HELMETS, for XC please… Save Full-Face Helmets for Gravity/Bike Park riding, only. Yes, full-face helmets look WAY cool and make you feel safe, but they just are not necessary for the kind of riding we do. They are HOT, they make it hard to hear instruction, they obscure view of the chin-strap so instructors can not make sure they are buckled and secure AND they may even give a “false sense of security” and encourage the rider to take unnecessary risks.
SKATE helmets may look cool, too but they are very hot on your head. Cycling helmets are made with LOTS of large vents to keep the head cool without constantly removing it. We require riders to wear their helmet the whole time we are on our bikes. Think of it as a hat, not a helmet : ) Before you get on your bike, your helmet goes on your head.
PEDALS
CLTMTB Juniors will be allowed to ride clipless pedals ONLY if they are highly proficient and do not regularly fall because they are clipped-in. Young riders develop bad habits relying solely on the connection between their shoe and pedal and never learn the proper technique when they are “clipped in”. ALL riders, including Staff members are encouraged to ride on flat/platform pedals and regular sneakers until they are totally proficient with all Beginner to Intermediate skills. At that time, they may wish to “go clipless” and when they do, they must practice and become 100% proficient with them before riding them at practice or wearing them at day camps. In terms of sneakers to wear, VANS are preferred (the traditional skate show VANS, not the new running shoe style, 5.10s or other platform pedal-specific shoes work great, but only when paired with pedals that have aggressive steel pins for grip. When paired with stock plastic pedals, they are slippery and offer no traction. Good old VANS work just as well for half the price) ideally, the sole of the shoe should be FLAT to provide maximum contact with the pedal. Running Shoes, Trainers, Hiking Shoes, even some shoes that are marketed as mountain biking shoes are NOT ideal. If in doubt, go with VANS or other Skate shoes.
Quality “Flat” or Platform pedals are preferred over the stock plastic pedals that come with most kids bikes. Stock plastic pedals are good for greenway rides and test-riding the bike when you purchase it, but should be replaced for mountain biking. These pedals are available in a huge variety of designs and price points. The important thing to consider when shopping for pedals is that they should be at least as big/wide as the shoe that your rider wears, and they should have “pins” or teeth sticking up that effectively engage with the sole of the shoe and help the two “stick” together... while your rider may not be ready for pedals with sharp steel pins, even composite pedals with composite pins/teeth are far better for trail riding than stock plastic pedals. RACEFACE Chesters are by far the most popular.
EYE PROTECTION
Anything between your rider’s precious eyes and: sticks, bugs, debris, is better than nothing. Sunglasses, cycling glasses, safety glasses all work great. Please do NOT send your rider with goggles. These are not good for cross-country riding for hours in the Summer heat. Cheap youth-sized safety glasses can easily be found. Please make sure they fit properly, are comfortable with their helmet, and don’t fall off. The most important thing is fit. If they fall off and require constant adjustment, they are a hazard and doing more harm than good. Eye protection is 100% mandatory. No exceptions.
SHORTS
Kids should be wearing padded bicycle shorts even if they want to wear “baggy” shorts on top of them. This is for safety and it’s mandatory. They should fit snug so they don’t bunch and rub. These are worn in place of, not on top of underwear. Super-loose, long, hanging basketball shorts or something similar are NOT APPROPRIATE for mountain biking and can constantly get caught on the seat and are actually dangerous. They also can chafe, hold sweat or water and get heavy, etc. Please, do not send your rider to CLTMTB rides or camps in big, baggy shorts or other bulky/baggy clothing. It’s not safe and they may not be permitted to ride until they are dressed appropriately. Aerosport is a decent brand, comes in youth sizes, and available on Amazon for fast delivery. I’ve also seen a pretty extensive selection on Dick’s Sporting Goods website. Also, Troy Lee Designs makes great Youth gear in smaller sizes.
GLOVES
If a rider falls, 9 times out of 10, the first thing to hit the ground will be their hands. We require that all riders use some kind of gloves that fit them properly. There are many mountain biking specific gloves on the market, but fitting a young rider for gloves can be tricky. Dick’s Sporting Goods has youth batting gloves in many sizes, so you may find some there. Also some Home Depots have synthetic work gloves for youth that work well. Ideally, full-finger gloves are best for mountain biking. Gloves do not need to be thick, or even cushioned. They should simply provide a layer between the hand and grip or ground for extra protection.
PADS
If your rider is accident prone or really new to mountain biking and you are worried about them falling on the trail and getting hurt, soft pads would be a great idea. G-Form is a great brand of pad that is soft, thin, and breathable but with squishy padding in the important spots on elbows, forearms, shins, and knees. Pads are not required. CLTMTB focuses on teaching riders skills and focus on riding smoothly and under control at all times. Riders who are riding to exceed their skill level will be asked to slow down. Our #1 focus is SAFETY. If you rider has aggressive “teeth” or pins on their pedals, consider shin guards as well.
HYDRATION
ALL riders should have a hydration pack with them containing plenty of WATER at all times. One water bottle is simply not sufficient for mountain biking for 2 hours. These packs should also contain a snacks, a rain jacket shell, an appropriately-sized Presta valve tube (yes, even if your rider’s wheels are set up tubeless!), tire levers, multitool, pump, and a patch kit.
Staff members will not hold anything for riders other than medical supplies if necessary like a back up inhaler or EpiPen. We will only drink water at CLTMTB Club. Hydration packs from OSPREY are superior to CamelBak which are almost impossible for most young riders to open/fill/close by themselves. Ozark Trail hydration packs from Walmart are almost as good as Osprey at a fraction of the price ($25).
*Proper Hydration can not be met with one water bottle - being on a mountain bike for 2 hours requires more hydration that a single water bottle. Ideally, each rider should have a 1L hydration pack or at least 2 water bottles.
NUTRITION
All snacks and lunches on camp days sent with your young rider should be healthy and provide them with the nutrition to fuel their body so they can be very active for hours every day. Each rider should arrive every morning having already eaten a well-rounded breakfast, and bring a nutritious lunch in a lunchbox or lunch bag (NO coolers, please) AND two snacks packed inside their hydration pack. Please do not send candy bars or bags of chips for snacks. Empty calories will not serve any purpose for a young rider who is on their bike for 3 - 4/+ hours per day. Please do not send soda, energy drinks, or similar for lunch. There is absolutely nothing better for your young rider to drink while mountain biking than WATER. To make things even better - if the ONLY thing you ever put in your hydration pack is ice and tap water - it will never get gross in there : ) *Promise.
THANK YOU!
After reading this, if you have questions, please feel free to call, text, or email Coach Shawn with any questions or concerns.
Shawn Gentry, Founder/Director, CLT MTB
704-266-2581 shawn@CLTMTB.com
Cost
Pay Over Time, Interest Free with KLARNA at Checkout
RIDE Club
$1,799/ year
9 Month Program, September - May
RACE Club
$3,799/year
12 Month Program, September - August
15% SIBLING DISCOUNT
15% Off the Second/+ Rider after Registering One Rider at Full Price. Check “Request Sibling Discount” and you will receive a Discount Code to use when registering sibling(s).
Schedule
All weekday sessions start with a warmup ride and up to 1 hour of skills work. Parents/riders have until 5:30 to arrive before we begin a one hour trail ride. All weekday rides are scheduled 4:30- 6:30pm
All riders are required to use the TeamSnap App to RSVP for every single ride, camp, race- or trip they plan to attend AT LEAST 24 HOURS in advance, no exceptions!
MONDAY, 4:30pm - 6:30pm
RACE Club ONLY at BYT
TUESDAY & THURSDAY, 4:30pm - 6:30pm
RACE & RIDE Club at BYT
CLTMTB is USAC Domestic Race Club #24685
RACE SCHEDULE
Each SERIES listed below consists of 5 or more races!
Monster Pro Downhill Series
ALL East/West Coast DATES & VENUES in 2027!
Gravity Carolinas Enduro & Downhill
Redbull Tennessee National @ Windrock
Charlotte Winter Short Track Series
STAFF
CLTMTB is coached by the GSMBC-certified staff of Whitetail MTB.
Shawn Gentry
Founder, GSMBC-Certified Coach
Director and Head Coach
Tarheel Trailblazers: Trail Coordinator
Trails Committee Member
Matilda Gentry
Co-Founder, Pro/Cat 1 Downhill Racer
Multi-Disciplinary Mountain Bike Racer
GSMBC-Certified Coach.
Kristen Kiser
GSMBC-Certified Coach, L3 NICA Coach
Cam
GSMBC-Certified Coach
Accomplished Enduro & Downhill Racer
Todd Bayley
GSMBC-Certified Coach
NICA Coach, Pro Mechanic
Rattlesnake Bike Park Staff
Grant Zoschnick
GSMBC-Certified Coach, Seasoned Rider, Specializing in Beginner-Advanced Riders
Glory Soto-Cooper
GSMBC-Certified Coach, Ella’s Mom
Youth/Beginner Specialist
Jarrod T. Nobbe
Strength & Conditioning Coach
M.A. Sports Performance
USAW National Coach. CSCS.
Jesse King
Weightlifting Coach, Downhill Racers
Questions?
If you have questions or want to discuss anything, please do not hesitate to reach out to Shawn Gentry, Founder and Head Coach of CLTMTB.com He can be reached at 704-266-2581 or by email at shawn@CLTMTB.com