Robbie Walters, Owner
A lifelong mountain biker and natural teacher, Robbie received his dual licensure degree in Education with a minor in Special Ed in 2008.
Discontented with the public school system, he left his post in 2014 to chase his dream of working in the outdoor space. Starting out as a bike mechanic and then shop manager, he was soon hired by a major bicycle manufacturer in the PNW, managing sales channels for Ghost, Diamondback, Raleigh & Redline Bicycles.
Having grown up racing in Europe, Robbie continued to ride in the PNW and quickly established himself in the local community. His presence at Duthie Hill caught the attention of a well known and highly respected coaching company.
Coach Robbie was formally trained under the tutelage of Simon Lawton, owner of the prestigious mountain bike instructional program FLUIDRIDE. Lawton has taught countless World Cup riders, Red Bull Athletes and coaches, and passed on his methodology to Robbie. Lawton’s coaching, combined with Robbie’s experience as an educator, helped shape Robbie into a powerfully effective mountain bike coach. Robbie has taught and trained Evergreen MTB Alliance staff and instructors as well as professional coaches and riders in the PNW.
With an entrepreneurial spirit and penchant for the inexperienced rider, Robbie created a children’s specific program during his time with FLUIDRIDE. In response to Covid-19 he built and ran an outdoor school at Duthie Hill MTB Park in the Fall of 2020, supported by FLUIDRIDE.
Soon thereafter, Robbie was recruited to work at Wy’East Mountain Academy, an Oregon based boarding school for mountain athletes. He helped bolster the school’s new MTB program in the Winter and Spring of 2021, achieving a 100% college acceptance rate for it’s graduating class. Sensing the limitations of another educational program, Robbie left to form his own mountain bike instruction company. He continues to recruit athletes for Wy’East and is a resource for the community.
Asking himself the deeper question of who his business is helping has directed Robbie’s focus on creating programs for those who cannot afford to participate. Robbie has formed a non-profit in the outdoor space, is an advisor to the City of Sandy’s Economic Development board, and is a brand ambassador for Diamondback Bicycles and now offers a heavily discounted beginner program through the City of Sandy to draw more riders into our wonderful community.
Robbie teaches the distilled fundamentals of mountain bike riding, uniquely shaping his approach to relate to any student. Humans are bipedal and movement is the same for us all- but how we initiate and support movement on a bicycle is the basis of Robbie’s instructional method. With an iron clad understanding of perfect form, coach Robbie addresses fear, self talk, and progression in a safe and controlled setting.
Warm and welcoming, Robbie loves to engage with the MTB community. Perhaps you’ve met him while out riding your bike, working on his flow or building trail. Connecting with his audience is where his talent and passion lay. Should you choose to work with Coach Robbie, his accommodating and patient nature helps to create a meaningful lesson that is perfect for you- whatever your age or ability.
“There is nothing more rewarding than connecting with a student and helping them along their path". -Coach Robbie