We are outdoor educators who share a talent for teaching, riding and connecting with kids. We are seasoned experts in the coaching, guiding and safety techniques that we have developed and refined over the past 19 years. Our passion inspires kids - whether novice or seasoned riders - and that inspires us. 

Ryan Loften

Ryan Loften is the founder and lead instructor of Mt Tam Bikes Camp. Since 2006, he has taught Bay Area kids mountain bike skills, trail etiquette, bike mechanics and local ecology. Born and raised in Mill Valley, he grew up BMX racing, dirt jumping and mountain biking all over Mount Tamalpais and Marin County. Ryan has been mentoring and coaching kids for the past 24 years, getting his start as a counselor at Snow Mountain Camp in Nevada City. He is a member of the Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education, and has been a certified CPR Wilderness First Responder since 1996.

Biking has always been a positive force in Ryan’s life from the moment he pedaled on his own at the age of 4. He started working on bikes when he was 8, and worked as bike mechanic at Tam Bikes in Mill Valley for 15 years. He now teaches mountain biking year-round running after-school rides at Mill Valley Middle School, along with private instruction to riders of all ages and abilities.

Mt Tam Bikes Camp was born in 2006 after a year-long solo mountain bike tour he took through Nepal, India and Southeast Asia. Returning home to Mill Valley, he wanted to share his love of mountain biking and exploration with his community. Ryan’s travels - as well as his mentoring and coaching of youth - have taught him that children are the same around the world: they live in the present moment. Sharing the trails with young riders is a great reminder to be a patient, present and light-hearted individual.

The goal of Mt Tam Bikes Camp is simple. “Whether it’s by learning a new bike skill, or discovering a cool little waterfall, or just goofing around after lunch, I want campers to have an awesome day at camp,” Ryan says. Nineteen years - and thousands of coaching hours later - he is still in LOVE with bike camp.