2011 Midwest Women's Mountain Bike Clinic [Archive] - Women's Cycling Discussion Forums

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tjuillerat

12-10-2010, 09:18 AM

It's never to early to start planning for the Midwest Women's Mountain Bike Clinic!

Mark your calendars now! This annual event will take place June 11-12, 2011 Brown County State Park in Nashville, IN. This clinic is open to riders of all skill levels. We've made some changes to the 2011 event, so be sure to check out the event schedule. We're adding an extra 1/2 day of instruction for Intermediate/Advanced gals along with another men's clinic and IMIC certification.

Save the date and hope to see many of you there! Go to www.midwestwomensclinic.com for all the details!

http://media.tripod.lycos.com/preview/1881365/1024x1024-1464388.jpg

indysteel

12-12-2010, 05:22 PM

It's on my calendar to sign up come January 1st! And Santa might be bringing me an entry-level HT for Christmas. As much as I'd like to start higher up on the MTB food chain, DH--I mean Santa--and I decided this was the best way to go. :)

kimikaw

12-12-2010, 05:27 PM

Really looking forward to this (despite the 5-6 hour drive to get there)!

Sitting here wondering if I start riding early enough in spring, could I be intermediate rider by mid- June...then remembering th reality of living in WI and realistically how early the MTB season could start;)

OakLeaf

12-13-2010, 05:25 AM

hmmmmmmmm

limewave

12-13-2010, 07:09 AM

I put it on my calendar. I'd love to come so hopefully I can make it work.

indysteel

12-13-2010, 03:21 PM

I'll just throw this out there that my DH and I will likely be able to put one or two people up in our home if anybody should need a free place to stay. We live 45 minutes from the park and are readily accessible by interstate. Just PM me if you might be interested. We do have cats, just in case that might be an issue.

Catrin

12-15-2010, 05:23 PM

You can certainly count me in :) I suspect that I want another season under my belt to work on basic bike skills, but from what I understand this clinic is great for all-around skills in general. It certainly seems the safest environment for me to get a little taste of mountain biking!

Bike Chick

12-16-2010, 05:26 AM

This is great and only 3 hours from home........wish I hadn't sold my mountain bike!:(

Catrin

12-16-2010, 06:50 AM

They usually have mountain bike free rentals available :)

jessmarimba

12-16-2010, 06:50 AM

Ooh I wish I could go!

kimikaw

12-16-2010, 11:57 AM

This is great and only 3 hours from home........wish I hadn't sold my mountain bike!:(

As Catrin said, you'd probably be able to use a demo. Might suggest emailing the Trek demo team in advance to reserve one - assume they will be there and it will be Lindsay. When she was demo-ing at the WI Fall Color Festival, I emailed her in advance (from the Trek women's demo website). She not only reserved the correct size bike for me, but because I'd sent her height/weight, shoe info, she'd set up the suspension, had pedals changed, etc.

TrekJeni

12-19-2010, 07:42 PM

Tania of Sub-9 productions has been nice enough to allow me to coach at this clinic the last two years and this is no different!

I will be happy to answer any questions you ladies have.

Demo's will be available and we have always had women that are incredibly new to mountain biking. I coached one older lady that hadn't been on a bike in a few YEARS! She did great.

Looking forward to meeting everyone!

Jeni

Catrin

12-20-2010, 02:09 AM

Mama Coosa

12-20-2010, 05:37 AM

Sounds wonderful! How do we go about reserving a demo bike? I don't have a mountain bike, though I do live close...

You can contact Lindsay from the Trek Women Demo tour website.

indysteel

12-20-2010, 10:53 AM

TrekJeni

12-29-2010, 11:05 AM

I was hoping you'd be teaching at the clinic again for 2011. I look forward to officially meeting you finally.

Me too!!!!!

If things go right, I should be big pimpin in my new motorhome and bringing my two dogs. I missed them so much while racing last year that I thought I needed to bring them with me from now on! Talk about spoiled!! :D:D:D:D:D

indysteel

12-29-2010, 11:22 AM

Me too!!!!!

If things go right, I should be big pimpin in my new motorhome and bringing my two dogs. I missed them so much while racing last year that I thought I needed to bring them with me from now on! Talk about spoiled!! :D:D:D:D:D

It sounds like you've had a lot going on. We haven't heard much from you on TE in quite the while. I certainly hope it's because you're too busy having the time of your life! :D I look forward to hearing a full update!

TrekJeni

01-02-2011, 10:51 AM

It sounds like you've had a lot going on. We haven't heard much from you on TE in quite the while. I certainly hope it's because you're too busy having the time of your life! :D I look forward to hearing a full update!

Woo Wee!!!!

Where do I start?

I got "left" 13 months ago. Yep, awesome fiance of almost a year (dated for almost four, owned a home together for the last two) came home one day and announced he was leaving. One of those, "it's not you, it's me" things. He let me know that he wasn't in love with me and hadn't been in love with me in more than two years. I asked him why he decided to buy a house with me and ask me to marry him. He said he hoped it would make our relationship better. WTF? I had no idea we had issues!!! He let me know that out of the months and months of house shopping we had done, that he hated this house the most. Again, WTF? Why didn't you ever tell me? The man obviously had communication issues!

Now that the dust has settled I can see it a little better. At the time we started dating, we were "equals" in his eyes. This was a term I was not familiar with. After we started dating, I landed a dream job - great pay, great hours and great benefits. I was also doing great mtb and cross racing and sat on a few cycling advocacy boards. This was all after I met him and started dating and all the cycling related things were a direct result of us being together.

His family owns a bike shop that he manages. I know he was frustrated with the shop working the retail side of things and he had made mention of seeing what was on the other side of the fence. It was a lose-lose for me. When I encouraged him to discover his talents and just see what life had to offer (demo truck driver for the midwest for a major bike brand, etc) I was NOT supporting his family's bike shop but when he would come home complaining about issues at the shop and his dad's decisions on things, I would try to see it from his dad's point of view which was ultimately NOT supporting him..... again lose-lose.

We won't even get into how jealous he got with my social status! Oh why not, sure we will! We'd come home from a great ride together (see, I had no idea we had issues) and we would both post on our fb walls how awesome a day we had, he would hit refresh dozens of times waiting for a status update comment while getting pissed when people would comment on my status. "Can you check to see if my status updated, maybe people can't see it?", "why does everyone post on your wall and not mine?", "are you sure my status updated?" I couldn't win that battle either. Forgive me for being social and going to bike related parties and cheering on OUR race teammates while he wanted no part of it at all! I can't tell you how many times I heard on the way home from a cycling party, "I get so mad at some of those people! They just want discounts from me but they buy everything off the internet! F them all!!!!"

Oh yeah, I passed him during a mtb race one day and his wave started out a few minutes before mine did! One of the scariest moments of my life!

Although I really don't have an explanation as to what really went on his mind over the years, I think he just felt left behind even though I tried to include him in on every success I had. It's not really my fault that I'm friendly, kind, genuine, fun natured and able to roll with the punches is it? :D:D:D

So yeah, I was devastated. Didn't know how life was going to work out for awhile. Would I be able to afford the house being single? How was I going to make it? What if the lawn tractor broke down, who was going to fix it? What the hell am I going to do?????

I did an assumption loan on my house which basically took him off the house as though he never even existed. During the assumption process, I was given a very healthy raise at work and I started to breathe a little easier. While I would have made it without his salary, this raise allowed the ability to buy a new car and some other toys. (see, I'm a Dave Ramsey girl when it comes to spending money and was stressed out thinking I was going to have to live on rice and beans and beans and rice) I was going to make it just fine!!!!! All of my awesome friends rallied around me and were amazing. I will never forget how awesome they are. They'd call me up at all hours asking me to go eat, go ride, come over and bring me beer. Anything.

I had two girls come over and we single handedly installed beadboard to my living room and I now have the most beautiful living room encased in love and support.

I went on a few horrible Eharmony dates. :eek:

I then found myself being pursued by a fellow mtbiker that traveled in similar circles as I did. He had met me earlier in the year, looked me up on fb and saw that I was engaged. Drat. While he was hanging out at a bar one evening with another shop owner, my ex started talking to them. He learned that I was single. :) He happened to be at our annual elections / board meeting for the local mtb advocacy group I belong to and started talking to me. He then asked to be fb friends.

Our first date was March 13th. We live in Cincinnati but we're both frequent attendees of Ray's Indoor mtb park in Cleveland and we were there together. I don't remember that day really well as I came home with a dozen or so stitches, a concussion, slight amnesia and bruised molars. Landed wrong off a box jump. Whoops! :rolleyes:

Hell of a first date, huh? Well he's been awesome. Super supportive. Very talkative. Teaches me about my bikes. CLEANS my bikes and we have been unofficially named the cutest CORA couple. (CORA is Cincinnati Off Road Alliance) and we even both won our CORA mtb series!!!

So Indysteel - THIS IS WHAT I HAVE BEEN UP TO!!!!!!!!

Dude and I have been racing all over the midwest together and the 2011 calendar is pretty much full already. Mtb racing starts in March and Cross season will end in December!

I would have to look at how many races I did for the season but raced 12 hours, 6 hours, a duo 24 hour, multiple short track races and XC, not to mention cyclocross where I managed to win 3rd place overall in my cat.

And yes, while this may NOT be actually cycling specific, I know I had some very awesome people who are on here that were concerned when I went away and considering anyone coming to the Midwest Women's Clinic will get to meet me, this is who ME is!

All in all, I think the one comment of the breakup speech that resonates with me the most is him saying, "I will never date another cyclist again, you stole my identity" I feel sad that he thought my successes on and off the bike made him lose himself.

I realize that I didn't STEAL his identity, that he was the only one that could get himself lost, I feel a bit sad that someone would so easily lose themselves while involved with such a positive, motivated person like me. All of my personality tests - Myers Briggs, Strengths Finder, etc) describe me as very driven, energetic, outgoing and positive. I'm also realistic and not very emotionally driven. I'm a "take charge" kind of person (ENTJ). I think my personality just wasn't a good fit with his.

indysteel

01-02-2011, 12:34 PM

Wowza! That IS a lot going on. I knew about the breakup, but only what you shared at the time. Not to diminish the pain it caused, but it sounds like you dodged a huge bullet with him. He just sounds like he projected every negative he felt about himself onto you. Obviously not what you want in a partner. I'm glad your new man sounds much more supportive. Men aside, it sounds you have a much stronger sense of your own strength and worth and have some wonderful friends. Good for you!

I signed up yesterday for the beginner portion of the clinic. My husband (a lot has changed in my life, too, over the past couple of years :)) and I are likely going to camp on Saturday night. He can play around on the trails while I'm hopefully learning how to avoid killing myself.

Looking forward to June!

tjuillerat

01-02-2011, 03:05 PM

Registration is now open:
http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=12065

Mr. Bloom

01-02-2011, 03:25 PM

...and Indy, you would have saved TJ all that typing if you were on FaceBook:D:p

indysteel

01-02-2011, 04:23 PM

...and Indy, you would have saved TJ all that typing if you were on FaceBook:D:p

No thanks. I already have enough time sucks in my life. No offense intended to those who use FB; it's just not my thing.

Mr. Bloom

01-02-2011, 05:38 PM

;) understood...I admire your discipline:D

tjuillerat

01-05-2011, 08:08 AM

Check out our design for the 2011 event t-shirt! A huge thanks to Scott Spitz of 2 Pedals Photography for this awesome design! Don't forget to pre-order your shirt when you register for the event. Only 6 months and counting ladies!

http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=12065

Stay up to date with all the clinic news and information on our Facebook page. Join us at www.facebook.com/midwestwomensclinic

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs085.snc4/35633_494284488885_138568998885_5937458_6959617_n.jpg

indysteel

01-05-2011, 08:33 AM

Oooh! I like that. I'm glad I ordered a t-shirt.

I'm all signed up for Sunday's beginner session!

tjuillerat

01-23-2011, 08:31 AM

Want to know who's coaching this year? All of our coaches at the Midwest Women's Mountian Bike Clinic have been certified through the International Mountainbike Instructor Certification (www.beimic.com). We are the only clinic in the U.S. to offer this! Every coach and instructor has been trained by two-time World Masters Downhill Champion and former Red Bull Athlete, Shaums March.

We strive to offer safe, responsible and effective guidance to riders of all skill levels, while also teaching the importance of trail etiquette, safety and advocacy. We feel strongly that our volunteers, coaches and staff will lead the way as advocates for safe, organized and responsible mountain biking.

Be sure to check out our complete list of certified coaches:

http://midwestwomensclinic.com/coaches.html

tjuillerat

04-08-2011, 11:15 AM

The Midwest Women's Mountain Bike Clinic is teaming up with Girl Bike Love with a new creative writing contest!

Ride ♥ Write ♥ Win
Contest winner receives:
~ Free entry to the 2011 Midwest Women's Mountain Bike Clinic
~ Free event t-shirt
~ Two free nights (Fri/Sat) at official event lodging (onsite and offsite options available)
~ Two hour private lesson with pro rider and IMIC Level III Coach, Tammy Donahugh
~ Tons of free stuff from our event sponsors!

Go to www.midwestwomensclinic.com/contest.html or www.girlbikelove.com for all the info and a chance to win!

tjuillerat

05-03-2011, 09:41 AM

Need a place to stay for the Midwest Women's Mountain Bike Clinic, but not sure you want to camp? That's ok! The Cornerstone Inn is now the official off-site lodging for the 2011 event! This beautiful 37 room bed and breakfast is located just two miles from the park in downtown Nashville, In. A 50% discount is available on rooms Sunday through Thursday and a 15% discount is available on Friday and Saturday night.

Give them a call to book your room and be sure to let them know you're coming to the Midwest Women's Mountain Bike Clinic!

Go to http://www.cornerstoneinn.com for more info or call 888-383-0300.

http://cornerstoneinn.com/art/home.jpg

NOTE: June is a busy time of year for Nashville, so be sure to get your room booked early to guarantee your spot!

WindingRoad

05-19-2011, 05:49 AM

indysteel

05-19-2011, 05:52 AM

Is it wise to attempt the mountain bike clinic if you've had a really bad spill on a mb that has made you deathly afraid of it???? Hmmmmm. I'd really like to be able to do some light mb'ing with my boyfriend as he LOVES it, but I'm still terrified.

I'll likely be terrified, too, so we can be in it together WR! If you want to get back on the horse so to speak, it seems to me that the clinic might be the way to go.

jessmarimba

05-19-2011, 06:15 AM

I saw "midwest" and didn't even read further since I'm in Denver...I used to live in Nashville! Now I want to go :)

Catrin

05-19-2011, 07:14 AM

Is it wise to attempt the mountain bike clinic if you've had a really bad spill on a mb that has made you deathly afraid of it???? Hmmmmm. I'd really like to be able to do some light mb'ing with my boyfriend as he LOVES it, but I'm still terrified.

Winding Road - I know some of the instructors and they are quite good and very supportive. I think this would be the safest/best way of getting back on the mountain bike. It is totally focused on women - and ya know - sometimes we learn in different ways than men, and sometimes not. All of the instructors are certified, and they just had their own clinic as a refresher.

This is why I am going to the clinic, I figure it is the safest way for me to learn the very basic skills I need and they will be there to help me learn them in the safest possible way. Sure I am nervous about it, but it will be fun!

Go for it - and we can all be scared together :cool:

Catrin

05-19-2011, 07:16 AM

I saw "midwest" and didn't even read further since I'm in Denver...I used to live in Nashville! Now I want to go :)

Ahem, they do have women coming from other parts of the country ;) AND they have intermediate and advanced training! You can't tell I am really looking forward to this, can you?

Irulan

05-19-2011, 08:05 AM

Winding Road - I know some of the instructors and they are quite good and very supportive. I think this would be the safest/best way of getting back on the mountain bike. It is totally focused on women - and ya know - sometimes we learn in different ways than men, and sometimes not. All of the instructors are certified, and they just had their own clinic as a refresher.

This is why I am going to the clinic, I figure it is the safest way for me to learn the very basic skills I need and they will be there to help me learn them in the safest possible way. Sure I am nervous about it, but it will be fun!

Go for it - and we can all be scared together :cool:

I've had a few bad wrecks, and there's nothing like going back to the basics, at a level YOU feel comfortable at ( which might be level one, whatever) to rebuild confidence.

jessmarimba

05-19-2011, 08:57 AM

Can't plan for that soon, and I don't have enough vacation...but maybe next year. I need to find a legit clinic here though.

(Did a little archaeology work in that town (wasn't there long) but it'd be fun to go back someday!)

WindingRoad

05-19-2011, 03:14 PM

Irulan

05-19-2011, 03:27 PM

Catrin

05-19-2011, 03:32 PM

OK IndySteel and Catrin I hope I don't die. At least when I wipe out this time I will have friends there to help me out the sticker bushes. :rolleyes: I'm planning for it. It's only one day for beginners right?

No sticker bushes, they are not allowed :cool: :D

Yes, intro/beginner clinc is only Sunday, but they have cool stuff going on Saturday too! Bike demos, and Campfire Clinics that night - I am going to see what my 51 year old body thinks of tent camping....Figure an air mattress under the sleeping bag will help a lot :o

indysteel

05-19-2011, 03:47 PM

Yay, WR!!! DH and I will be camping there Saturday night, so look for us! I think Catrin is, too!

kimikaw

05-19-2011, 04:39 PM

Hubby, 11yo Kiddo and I will all be there. All newbie MTBers. All registered for clinics love that there's kids and beginner men's sessions too

However, unlike Catrin, I didn't think 51 was the age to take up tent camping. MTBing at 50 and this year zip lines, duathlon and triathlons at 51. but, tents, sorry can't go there. We are in one if the on-site "rustic" cabins, so will be at campfire and other events.

Catrin

05-19-2011, 04:46 PM

Irulan

05-19-2011, 05:18 PM

jeez how big is this event anyway?

indysteel

05-19-2011, 05:34 PM

jeez how big is this event anyway?

I think it's a pretty sizeable event, although I have nothing to compare it to. There are several different clinics both Saturday and Sunday, with additional demos and programs. It's being held in Indiana's largest (I think) state park and attendees have an area reserved for them for tent camping. The park also has small rustic cabins that you can rent. Jonathan and Tania--the couple who run the clinic under the name Sub 9 Productions--have done a ton for MTBing in the state and are a big reason, through the Hoosier Mountain Bike Association, that the trail system in the area has become a MTB destination. Even as a newb, I appreciate how much we owe to them and the rest of the HMBA.

kimikaw

05-23-2011, 02:23 PM

We must figure out a way to identify oruselves to each other! I just found out I have a meeting in Indy the Tuesday/Wednesday after the event, so am having the hubby and kiddo drop me off in Indy at airport Monday am before they head back so I can grab a car, and stick around. No sense driving home, when I woulda flown in Monday evening anyway. Like how that worked out.

Catrin

05-23-2011, 04:39 PM

hmmmm, I can see it now, a special TE scarf! We will start a trend and everyone will want one - TE will have it on a special sale and the whole world will want one by the time of the Clinic...which means we still won't be able to find each other because everyone there will have one :eek: Ok, next idea?

;)

Catrin

05-24-2011, 02:19 PM

tjuillerat

05-26-2011, 09:40 AM

How about we check out a map of the Rally campground and agree on a place/time to meet each day? That way if someone isn't there the entire weekend that she/we will have a chance to meet up. Does that sound like something that would work?

Here is a link to the Rally Campground layout. Site 1 will have the outdoor demo as well as the check-in area. Sites 2 and 5 are open to all campers (site #4 is reserved by the Chicago Area Mountain Bikers - CAMBr).

Hope this helps!

http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/files/brownco_rally_youthtent_map.pdf

tjuillerat

05-26-2011, 09:41 AM

Two more weeks! Don't forget to order your 2011 event t-shirt. We are offering both a men's and women's version. Orders must be in by June 1 to guarantee receiving your t-shirt at the event. Cost is only $15. A limited number of shirts may be available for purchase at the event.

Go to https://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=12065 to purchase your 2011 event t-shirt.

NOTE: You do not need to re-register for the event in order to purchase a shirt.
http://media.tripod.lycos.com/preview/1881365/1024x1024-1764585.jpg

tjuillerat

05-27-2011, 07:59 AM

How about we check out a map of the Rally campground and agree on a place/time to meet each day? That way if someone isn't there the entire weekend that she/we will have a chance to meet up. Does that sound like something that would work?

Why is it 1/2 my posts never show up in this forum! I'll try this again.. lol

Here's a link to the Rally Campground.

http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/files/brownco_rally_youthtent_map.pdf

Site 2 & 5 are reserved for camping. Site 1 is our Outdoor Demo location. CAMBr (from Chicago) has Site 4 reserved as well. It will be a campground full of mountain bikers the weekend of the women's clinic!

snapdragen

05-31-2011, 09:56 AM

Why is it 1/2 my posts never show up in this forum! I'll try this again.. lol

Because they are all caught in the spam catcher.

Catrin

05-31-2011, 12:13 PM

How many of us are going to the Clinic? Counting me I know of 4 of us going :D

I think it will be a lot of fun!

kimikaw

05-31-2011, 06:24 PM

How many of us are going to the Clinic? Counting me I know of 4 of us going :D

I think it will be a lot of fun!

Am I part of the 4? Guessing I am! Happy to PM you my cell, if once you get there and get the lay of the land wanna text us all w/ meet- up info.

Catrin

05-31-2011, 06:27 PM

Am I part of the 4? Guessing I am! Happy to PM you my cell, if once you get there and get the lay of the land wanna text us all w/ meet- up info.

Yep, you are - Indysteel and Winding Road are the other two. I know what they look like so that helps :) Will you be arriving Saturday or Sunday?

Sure - PM me your cell sometime between now and then - that is probably the easiest way. Assuming I get cell coverage there...it can be spotty at BCSP though since the Rally campgrounds are open it might be easier there.

Aggie_Ama

05-31-2011, 08:22 PM

Sounds like fun, I am jealous ladies! I still have things to learn, can't wait to hear your experience Catrin. :)

Catrin

06-01-2011, 02:45 AM

Sounds like fun, I am jealous ladies! I still have things to learn, can't wait to hear your experience Catrin. :)

I wish you could come Aggie, I think you would really get a lot out of the advanced women's sessions!

I am not the only true beginner from TE attending - this means we can encourage each other, which is nice. I am excited and nervous all at the same time :D

indysteel

06-01-2011, 12:16 PM

Yep, you are - Indysteel and Winding Road are the other two. I know what they look like so that helps :) Will you be arriving Saturday or Sunday?

Sure - PM me your cell sometime between now and then - that is probably the easiest way. Assuming I get cell coverage there...it can be spotty at BCSP though since the Rally campgrounds are open it might be easier there.

Despite having reserved a spot in the group camping when I first registered for the clinic, DH and I decided just today to reserve a spot at the park's regular non-electric campground. Weather permitting, we'll be there Friday and Saturday night so that we can make a bit more of a weekend of it (he has a new 29er he's itching to ride). We'll be out and about and I'll likely find one or more of you sometime on Saturday.

Catrin

06-02-2011, 10:00 AM

It sounds like you & Brian have fun planned :) There is a chance I will come on Friday afternoon but probably won't make my mind up until next week. I would like to hike a couple of the trails.

kimikaw

06-02-2011, 06:38 PM

Despite having reserved a spot in the group camping when I first registered for the clinic, DH and I decided just today to reserve a spot at the park's regular non-electric campground. Weather permitting, we'll be there Friday and Saturday night so that we can make a bit more of a weekend of it (he has a new 29er he's itching to ride). We'll be out and about and I'll likely find one or more of you sometime on Saturday.

DH, kiddo and I will be in our "rustic' (whatever that means) Friday and Saturday night. Hope I can meet up with you. Kiddo has a morning clinic on Sat. Hubby afternoon one. I'm hoping to demo a few bikes. And we all plan on the ca,pfire clinics and cookout Saturday night.

We're three newbies, all taking clinics, so should be a fun weekend. And then, SUnday night to Indy where I'll be until Wed.

Catrin

06-02-2011, 06:44 PM

We're three newbies, all taking clinics, so should be a fun weekend. And then, SUnday night to Indy where I'll be until Wed.

All 4 of us are newbies, though others may be coming that we haven't heard from as of yet.

indysteel

06-02-2011, 06:58 PM

There's a cookout Saturday night? ETA: Nevermind; I see that on the schedule now. Perhaps we'll see you there. We have non-MTBing friends potentially hanging out with us Saturday evening, so we may be eating on our own.

tjuillerat

06-04-2011, 10:03 AM

Intermediate/Advanced Women's Clinic is SOLD OUT!

Only a few spots left for Intro/Beginner riders. Hope to see many of you there!

http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=12065

Roadtrip

06-11-2011, 04:55 PM

Looking forward to pics and updates from the clinic!!

Shannon

Catrin

06-12-2011, 05:06 PM

I forgot my camera so no pictures I am afraid, at least not from me. There was a professional photographer there taking pictures and I may get something from her, will post it if I do. I hope that Kimikaw and IndySteel also have a chance to post on their experiences.

The weekend was fantastic! I had fun camping out, and the air mattress meant that I got to sleep without my 51 year old bones and joints complaining. I really didn't sleep the first night, but it poured rain all night... trails were in perfect condition by today though.

My session was today. This morning after breakfast a rather large group of us did a series of parking lot drills. We were the "never been on a mountain bike trail group". There were about 15-16 of us, it would have been nice if the group had been smaller but of course it was fine.

We started with different body positions on the bike, then moved on to braking & balancing techniques, and we also learned how to hop over stuff with the front wheel. Others did better with this than I, but I did get a little air a few times even if my timing wasn't so good :o Practice, practice, practice! Our instructors were very encouraging and, of course, quite good. Indysteel was in my group, it was nice to know someone else going through the same process.

Time to ride came after lunch! Before that we had a raffle where I scored a new Fox Flux(?) helmet and a few sorely needed new jerseys, there was also a "Naked Lady" table where we swapped gently used items.

My group rode Pine Loop, which is the easiest trail in the park. I had hiked it the day before and was pretty confident that it wouldn't be overly difficult. Famous last words :o Thankfully I was at the end of the line, deliberately since I am accustomed to riding solo. I kept falling behind the others, but that was ok. Actually, I wasn't quite the end of the line, one of the instructors was behind me and she patiently stuck with me and gave me good pieces of advice along with way. I learned several very important things on the trail:

Don't look at the big tree at the side of the trail
Don't look down the 30 foot embankment off the side of the trail
Tape fingers to the brakes so they will stay there!
Bailing from the bike is a lot more comfortable with shin guards and certainly better than pavement...
I LOVE my shin guards :)

I did cut out a little early from the ride, the others wanted to go to a more challenging trail after the first time around and I knew that was beyond me. Last but not least - I learned that while mountain biking is harder than riding on the road - it is a LOT more fun :D

Now I just need to find someone brave/kind enough to ride Pine Loop with me until I get a little more comfortable... I had a great day and weekend!

WindingRoad

06-12-2011, 07:00 PM

Catrin it sounds like you and I may be on the same page with riding. You can show me what you learned! We should go ride off road some time. ;)

Catrin

06-13-2011, 05:48 PM

I wanted to say more about the actual clinic, I was rather tired last night :)

I think there were 60 advanced/intermediate women and about 40 beginners. They separated us into groups of with similar skill levels and each group appeared to have two instructors. The more advanced women spent Saturday afternoon working on skills and drills, then they continued Sunday morning when we beginners started, rides came for all after lunch on Sunday.

They had an impressive roster of instructors, and everyone was so friendly and supporting! There were several teenagers there and it was fun watching these girls - I think they spent every waking moment on their bikes. I think they were on a racing team though I could be mistaken. There was such a wide variety of women from different backgrounds and experiences! I am very thankful to have had this opportunity to get a taste of mountain biking in such a supportive atmosphere.

Catrin

06-17-2011, 11:08 AM

Here is a picture from the clinic - as you can tell it is from our parking lot drills and I've completed whatever our drill was at the time. If you would like to see all 600+ Clinic photos, go here (http://www.2pedalsphotography.com/2011/06/16/ride-on-ladies/). You will see some of the photos on the main page, and there is a link in the text that will take you to all of the photos. The advanced women were doing some awesome things!

Artista

06-19-2011, 02:40 PM

Catrin, you look like you were having a ball!