Tonight was the second session of the MTB clinic, and there were four instructors and two students. The other student isn't really a beginner, so I was the only one who didn't already know all the skills.

We learned to ride over curbs, which was kind of fun. Then we rode on the trails and practiced going up hills, keeping elbows in and shifting your weight forward. We practiced stopping in middle of a downhill (so if you get freaked out you don't have to careen down the hill). Toward the end we climbed to the top of a hill with a lot of switchbacks. At the top of the hill was the beginning of a new trail they've built which is a series of banked switchbacks all the way down the hill. That was somewhat intimidating, and on the way down I kept my body so rigid I was exhausted at the bottom. Next week I hope to relax and enjoy it.

Altogether we rode 6 miles, and I fell once or twice.

Regina, I forgot to ask again about the handlebar/hub business, but I noticed that all the instructors' bikes had very short stems, maybe 5 or 6 cm. I was surprised, but forgot to ask about it. Maybe I'll remember next time.

They said there's a beginner ride at Rosaryville on Saturday morning, so I'm thinking about doing that. Need to check it out at the MORE web site, but now it's time for bed.