Learn from the best.
We’ve brought together the best coaches in the province with decades of experience and a host of provincial & national championships between them! The greatest way to have your young riders become the best is to hit the trails with the best.
Learn from the best.
Instruction for just about every skill level.
We’ve brought together the best coaches in the province with decades of experience and a host of provincial & national championships between them! The greatest way to have your young riders become the best is to hit the trails with the best.
Andrew Hilton-Wigg
Andrew, with over 15 years of competitive cycling under his belt, has explored a range of disciplines including Cross Country Olympic (XCO), Cross Country Marathon (XCM), multi-day stage races, and gravel cycling, even branching into cyclocross in 2023 to broaden his horizons. His enthusiasm for cycling extends beyond the race track; if it involves dirt, sand, rock, or grass, Andrew is eager to ride it. He maintains an active cycling schedule throughout the spring and summer, participating in club rides, outings with friends, and competitions. Joining the Shredders team in 2022 allowed Andrew to fuse his passion for cycling with coaching, offering new riders the chance to discover the joy of the sport. With two decades of experience coaching ski racing, certification as a Comp-Intro Coach for Mountain Biking, and NCCP level 2 credentials, Andrew is well-equipped to guide and inspire. Additionally, his day job as a graphic designer sees him crafting a diverse array of visuals, from websites to logos, showcasing his creative talents across both his professional and cycling life.
Clark Wright
Melissa Bognar
Melissa’s journey with biking began in her teenage years, exploring the trails of Durham Forest, which eventually led her to join the University of Guelph’s racing team—an experience that solidified her passion for cycling. With a background as an XC skiing coach for the Special Olympics, Melissa has always been drawn to the great outdoors, coaching, and the joy of engaging with nature. Last season, she had the pleasure of coaching the youngest members of the Shredders, imparting the essential skills they need to thrive on the trails. Witnessing their confidence blossom over the season has been incredibly rewarding for her. As a mother to two young shredders herself, Melissa is deeply passionate about introducing children to the wonders of outdoor activities. She eagerly looks forward to welcoming you into her biking adventures, where fun and learning go hand in hand.
Fraser Lee
Joining the Shredders team has been an exhilarating experience for me, and my first season here has been nothing short of amazing. Getting to meet all the participants and connecting with my fellow coaches has been a real highlight.
I’m currently on my way to obtaining my NCCP coaching certification and am aiming to complete my Level 1 certification with the Professional Mountain Bike Instructor Association (PMBIA). My passion for teaching isn’t limited to just mountain biking; during the winter months, I dedicate myself to being a Level 1 and 2 Course Evaluator for the Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors (CASI), where I leverage my extensive instructional skills from snowboarding.
One of my proudest moments in mountain biking has been encouraging my son to start off-road biking at the tender age of two. It’s been an incredible journey witnessing his growth and sharing our love for biking together.
Liam Mulcahy
Since joining the Shredders coaching team in 2018, I’ve embraced the opportunity to mentor Canada’s budding young athletes. Transitioning from my former career as a World Cup racer, I’ve found immense joy in guiding the next wave of competitive cyclists. Drawing from my experiences and the valuable lessons I learned on the global stage, including competing at the Canada Summer Games in 2017, the Cyclocross World Championships in 2015, and the Mont-Sainte Anne World Cup in 2018, I offer our athletes insights into what they can anticipate in competition and how best to prepare.
My journey in cycling has been filled with remarkable moments, from training in North Carolina with Team Ontario to racing in my first Elite UCI events in California. Yet, the highlight of my cycling career came in 2021, when I proposed to my now-wife, Kierstyn, during a ride in Durham Forest.
Coaching the Youth Development Squad is particularly rewarding. These young athletes are incredibly receptive, quickly absorbing and applying the skills and strategies I teach. Their eagerness to learn, determination to compete, and willingness to work hard make coaching this group especially fulfilling for me.
Alice Hogg
Since obtaining her Level 1 MTB coach certification, Alice has been an integral part of the Learn to Ride program, beginning her coaching journey in 2019. Her passion for mountain biking surged when her children became members of the Durham Shredders Race Team, making biking a family affair. Beyond coaching, Alice serves on the Durham Shredders Board of Directors, where she focuses on enhancing the involvement and long-term engagement of girls in the sport. When she’s not on coaching duty, Alice enjoys hitting the trails with other cycling enthusiasts and is a regular fixture at mountain bike and cyclocross competitions, where she enthusiastically supports the Shredders at OCup, Canada Cup, and various other events
Tom Besaw
Thomas’s enthusiasm for mountain biking ignited upon relocating to Sudbury, following the completion of his university degree in Civil Engineering. With a pre-existing love for outdoor activities, mountain biking naturally became his sport of choice. Having since returned to his hometown, Thomas is often spotted navigating his mountain bike through the diverse trails of Durham Forest and Copeland Forest, or riding his fat bike across the icy expanse of Lake Simcoe during the winter. He became a part of the Durham Shredders as a Learn to Ride Coach, driven by a desire to inspire young riders to venture beyond their comfort zones and cultivate a deep-seated love for biking, mirroring his own passion.
Kim Haagmans-Hawke
Kim, a certified coach and athletic trainer, has an extensive background in multi-discipline sports, transitioning from a provincial gymnast to a multi-sport athlete competing internationally. Her journey led her to focus on cycling, particularly road, cross-country mountain biking (XC MTB), and cycle cross after a remarkable athletic career in various sports. With no prior cycling experience, she astonishingly won the Mont Tremblant Triathlon and later shifted her passion solely to cycling. As a dedicated member of the Durham Shredders MTB Team, both as a coach and a racer, Kim has excelled in XC racing, earning titles as the 2019 Masters MTB Provincial Champion, National Champion, and securing a fourth-place finish at the Masters MTB Worlds. Her commitment to cycling and coaching reflects her deep passion for biking and her desire to share this with others, leveraging her multi-disciplinary athletic insights to enrich the training and competitive experiences of her riders.
John Mcknight
From the tender age of two, John has been inseparable from his bike, mastering cycling possibly even before walking! His journey began with local races during his school years, evolving into establishing his own business for bike services and upgrades, and eventually earning a Level 1 MTB coaching certification. John’s love for mountain biking has been a constant in his life, a passion he has enthusiastically shared with his two sons. He’s often found on the trails, playfully struggling to keep pace with his boys. John’s coaching journey with Durham Shredders began two seasons ago, coinciding with his sons joining the team. He looks forward to continuing to nurture their growing talents and is dedicated to guiding other young enthusiasts in their cycling pursuits!
Izabela Minnes
Izabela Minnes, a certified PIMBA MTB Instructor, discovered the irresistible allure of mountain biking in the summer of 2007. She quickly learned that MTB isn’t just a sport; it’s a lifestyle that unites diverse individuals in a vibrant community. For Izabela, the thrill of biking through nature is unmatched, yet her true calling lies in teaching MTB skills. The journey of witnessing her students’ progress and celebrating their achievements together brings her immense satisfaction. Since obtaining her Level 2 MTB Instructor certification from BICP in 2018, Izabela has loved teaching adults, but her role as a Durham Shredders Coach has introduced her to the unique joy of coaching children. Their enthusiasm and candid moments, like when her youngest student expressed a desire to stay fit into older age, continue to bring her joy. Izabela’s message is clear: life is too fleeting not to embrace every opportunity to ride.
Riley Brunton
Riley Brunton, a PMBIA Certified Coach, has been immersed in the world of biking from a very young age, with BMX, MTB, and Downhill biking being his sports of choice. During his high school years, Riley showcased his talent by placing in OFFSA races and has been an active competitor in Ontario cups from his childhood. From 2019 to 2022, he dedicated himself as a Learn to Ride coach with Durham Shredders and stepped up as a Race Team coach in 2023. Riley’s enthusiasm for mountain biking is something he eagerly shares with young riders in the program. He is currently pursuing a Kinesiology degree at Ontario Tech University and is excited about the possibility of integrating his academic insights into his coaching role with the race team
Cole Brunton
Cole Brunton, a PMBIA Certified Coach, has been integral to the Durham Shredders’ Learn to Ride and Learn to Race programs since 2019. His biking journey began in childhood, embracing BMX, Downhill, and Mountain Biking with enthusiasm. Cole’s competitive spirit is evident through his participation in OFFSA races, Ocup Races, and the Paris to Ancaster race, alongside his joy for simply shredding trails. With his wealth of experience, Cole is passionate about introducing new riders to the sport and finds great joy in coaching the young participants of Durham Shredders.
Derek Brunton
Hello, I’m Derek Brunton, the current head Learn to Ride Instructor at Durham Shredders and the proprietor of RADCO, a professional MTB instruction company. With a strong commitment to providing cycling instruction within a secure and forward-moving setting, my dedication is backed by more than 30 years of teaching and riding experience across various disciplines, including BMX, downhill, enduro, and XC racing. When I’m not shredding trails or hitting jumps at Joyride150, you can find me on the water, wake surfing and boarding. My motto? “Don’t be boring, be RAD.”
Jon Barnes
Jon Barnes, a certified Level 1 MTB coach, brings 25 years of racing experience to the table, boasting numerous provincial and national championships in both MTB and cyclocross. Additionally, Jon has expanded his repertoire to include road racing throughout the years. With a two-year coaching stint at THT and more than two decades of riding and training in Durham Forest, Jon is recognized as an authority on navigating and mastering its trails.
Lee Brotheson
Lee, hailing from Uxbridge, is a chiropractor and Level 1 MTB coach who leverages his extensive understanding of anatomy, biomechanics, and sports performance to fuel his passion for cycling. He is dedicated to assisting athletes of all ages and abilities in achieving their cycling ambitions. Outside of his professional duties, Lee frequently hits the trails for rides or competes in events, such as the 2018 Crank the Shield MTB stage race in Sault Ste. Marie, showcasing his commitment to both his practice and his passion for mountain biking
Sara Bibb
Sara embarked on her mountain biking journey in 2003, a passion ignited by her now-husband’s introduction to the sport. As their family grew, Sara and her husband were keen to pass on their love for mountain biking to their children, who eagerly took to the sport and joined the Durham Shredders’ Learn to Race and Learn to Ride programs, eventually making their way to the race team. Sara took her involvement to the next level by becoming a coach with the Shredders in 2022. She is now enthusiastically gearing up for the next season, looking forward to continuing to share her passion and knowledge with young riders.
Want to join our team?
We are always looking for great coaches – if you love to ride and want to join our team please contact us below!