Zootown Derailleurs

Join the fun and help your child catch biking fever!

MORE partnered with MTB Missoula to start this co-rec skills-based program, and Zootown Derailleurs has exploded onto the cycling scene. The coaching team includes some of the top riders in the Missoula area. From Strider bikes to high school riders, coaches help motivate and develop skills for any level of rider—ages 3-18. Don't have a mountain bike? We have a limited number of bikes available for your use. Phone 552-6271 for more information.

Looking for a way for your child to participate while you're working? Don't worry! Simply sign up for our Afterschool program on Derailleur Days. We will pick kids up from school, feed them a snack, and get them to practice! (Rattlesnake, Paxson, Lowell, Lewis and Clark, Russell and Chief Charlo.)

Zootown Derailleurs Youth Cycling Team - ages 2 to 15

The fastest growing youth sport in town. Become a part of the ZTD family! Right for every level of rider from balance bike to teen. Fee includes Derailleurs team swag. Practice may be cancelled occasionally due to inclement weather. Cancelled practices will not be rescheduled due to reduced daylight hours in the early spring. Bikes with handbrakes and gears recommended for ages 6 and up. Grants for families who need financial assistance are available with support from MTB Missoula. Contact Meg at 552-6271.

Registration for Spring 2019 season opens Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at 12 p.m.
Activity #	1232800
Time	4 - 5:30 pm
Fee	$100/90 with CityCard resident discount
Tuesdays	Apr 16 - May 14	Section # 01
Wednesdays	Apr 17 - May 15	Section # 02
Thursdays	Apr 18 - May 16	Section # 03

Zootown Derailleurs Development Team - ages 9 - 14

For more experienced riders who want to take skill development to the next level. Smaller group sizes and focused coaching. Riders must be comfortable with more advanced climbing and descending. Grants for families who need financial assistance are available with support from MTB Missoula. Contact Meg at 552-6271.

Registration for Spring 2019 season opens Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at 12 p.m.
Activity #	1232800
Time	4 - 6:30 pm
Fee	$120/110 with CityCard resident discount
Mondays	Apr 15 - May 13	Section # 04
Wednesdays	Apr 17 - May 15	Section # 05

How To Register - Beginning March 12, 12 p.m.

Visit www.missoulaparks.org/register. Links to specific sections are above. If you're new to our online registration, please create your account BEFORE registration opens to save time. Registration opens Tuesday, March 12, at 12 p.m. Please register early, program fills quickly.
Call 721-PARK, press 9.
Stop by Currents Aquatics Center, 600 Cregg Lane in McCormick Park.
Share The Fun Youth Recreation Grants (PDF) available.

Monday/Wednesday – Development Team - ages 9 and up and advanced riders ONLY. Meeting location changes weekly.

Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday - General Team - ages 2 and up

Week 1 meets at McCormick Park

Week 2 and 3 meets at Rattlesnake Lincolnwood pocket park

Week 4 and 5 meets at Marshall Mountain

ZTD kids are split by age into color groups. Within the color groups they are split by skill development. Riders are grouped by the using the following criteria:

History of involvement in the program
Skillset in uphill, downhill, and endurance
Younger riders: ability to ride a two-wheeler, use hand brakes vs. coaster brakes etc.
Emotional maturity – how riders handle frustration, how they work within a group

We use this to create the most cohesive groups possible so every kid can be met individually to grow and learn as a rider. Each group has at least 1 paid full time trained coach. Many of our younger groups will have two. They then will have a high schooler “assistant Coach” or possibly a middle school “junior coach”. Rounding out the coaching staff is our amazing volunteer adult coaches. So each group has anywhere from 2-5 coaches.

Development Team prerequisites:

Wondering if this program is right for your child? Development team members must:

Have at least two years of SOLID mountain biking experience.
Be motivated and stoked to climb and ride uphill and want to get better at this aspect of the sport.
Be comfortable and confident on descending.

Watch what Zootown Derailleurs is all about!

Zootown Derailleurs Documentary

Coaches Needed:

Now Hiring! Check out our ZTD positions. Volunteers needed! If you would to share your passion for cycling with Missoula's youth please contact Meg Whicher via email Meg Whicher.