REI Beginner's Skills Mountain bike workshop - REVIEW

[indigoiis]

So, I took the REI Beginner's Mountain biking clinic yesterday. Overall I think I was a little beyond the beginner's class and probably should have taken the intermediate, but I must say the class was very good. It was four and a half hours.

The first hour was spent on introductions, an overview of the bike, bike parts, bike fit, and how a mountain bike differs from other bikes. It was a good review and excellent for a brand new beginner - of which there were several in our class.

Then we rode around a big grassy area while the instructors watched us and then would call us in for a consultation on fit and our set ups. I had brought my own bike and it was already pretty much dialed in to me, but the instructor did recommend I tilt my bars forward for a longer reach as I am sitting very upright on my bike. Also we practiced going over a log in the grassy area and I learned from the instructor that I was not peddaling when I approached the log - I was just coasting. He recommended I pedal up to and then over the log. It was a small log but I was still a little freaked pedalling over it but I must admit the momentum was better. I didn't realize I was coasting over these things so it does help to have someone watch you.

Then we had lunch and they demoed changing a tire.

Then we went out riding on a 3.5 mile loop. It was pretty gravelly and rooty, and I thought it was a decent ride and maybe even a little strong for beginners. I did fine on everything but one gravelly uphill but I did stay clipped in and really tried to get up and eventually fell over. I didn't have time to try it again but I was so proud that I stayed clipped in and tried it!

We then came back, dropped those off in the lot who wanted to leave early, and went back out for another loop.

All in all it was a very basic, well supported and informative class, and I recommend it to those new to mountain biking. For me it was a good review but what I know I really need is time in the mountain bike saddle. At this point, I just need to keep riding!

It was a good value for the money and the instructors are well trained!

I took the Boston course. But there are REIs everywhere.

Indy

[aeiea]

thanks for the useful review! I was thinking of taking their road bike course -- which of course is different from mountain biking, but I'm assuming they'll have a similar structure. REI has great free courses, but I've never taken one of their paid ones.

Gratz on doing the loop

[MtnBikerChk]

I *heart* REI