Private clinic

[Catrin]

It was a great afternoon, though I didn't realize how hot it was because the humidity was a bit lower than it has been and I was so focused on our drills. Sorry in advance for the book below

Nick - I am very much a beginner, I don't know what level you are, so this might not be too useful for you - just wanted to say that at the start. Indy, I hope this is helpful. I must say that I liked that park!

My coach is great, she knew where I was starting from since she was one of the instructors at the women's clinic last month and knew that my group was too large to really take advantage of the instruction. She did say they will take a different approach next year that should help.

We started with the same drills from the clinic. Neutral and Ready positions, Front/Aft/Sideways bike/body separation. I did fine with all of those aside from the sideways/windshield wiper movement. That last one is just plain difficult for me and I need to keep practicing it.

Next we worked on steering and weaving between the cones. At first we started this on pavement, then we moved the cones so I was crossing between pavement, gravel, and grass. Next came circles - both directions.

The last part of the drills session was the most fun We were in a deserted linear parking lot that had a range of surfaces. Off in the grass were two somewhat crumbling rock ledges - quite small - only a couple of inches off the ground and the height varied. On one ledge the height of the ledge varied from ground level to just an inch or two - on the parallel ledge the height was more consistent - probably 3-4 inches off the ground and the edge was sharper. The ledges themselves were about 4-6 inches in width.

We didn't do any hopping since I am focusing on more basic skills right now - and the ledges weren't so large they required that anyway. So we did a series of drills that involved riding over the ledges, starting with the smaller parts and moving to the larger - eventually riding in circles that had me crossing both ledges - part of which had me riding through a gap in the ledge that was barely wide enough for my tire - the ledge was just tall enough/sharp enough that she didn't want me to try and ride up it. Worked on having proper body position coming off the ledges and remembering to pedal going up them - I want to stop pedaling for some odd reason.

We took two small breaks during the drills from the heat. Don't know how hot it actually was, but her thermometer that had been lying upside down in the grass read 120 at some point - obviously it wasn't THAT hot, but it was D*MN hot! I didn't really feel it though until my stomach started complaining.

The very last thing she had me do before we took off for the trail was to ride down the ledge. That sounds like a small thing, but I've a problem riding a straight line on the trail, but was able to look well down the ledge I was riding and rode perfectly straight

She also had me working on a few other things dealing with basic bike handling - pedaling while standing and a few other things.

We made it about a mile on the trail before I bailed and we took a shortcut back (down a grassy hill that gave a good chance to practice some of the same skills). I did have to stop a lot, fell a couple of times but me and bike are fine. I now understand better what is going on - I need to look further down the trail and actually use the body positions that I do so well in the drills. She said my form with the positions and bike/body separation (outside of the sideways movement) are all pretty good - I just have to make myself use them on the trail

I will hit the trails again ASAP and this time I am going to do things a little differently. Instead on focusing on riding the entire trail all at once, I will give myself permission to session it. I will give myself targets - "ok, I will go from here to there without stopping" - then when I get there will decide if I want to go back and re-ride that section before continuing.

In the end, I think confidence is my biggest issue right now. She said that, technically, I am not a beginner - I just have to transition those skills to the trail. Having said that I would think that is the absolute sign of a beginner, but I trust what she says. She also took a bunch of videos with her phone to prove to me what I was able to do - looking forward to seeing those for when I start doubting myself.

I had fun - though a little frustrated with myself that I only lasted for 1 mile on the trail.

[Nick]

Sound like a really great session, Catrin! I'm not sure where I fall in terms of level -- I rode a lot when I was younger, and am getting back to biking after a 20 year hiatus. Some things are very easy for me (such as the windshield wiper movement you describe), and other things are really hard. After taking a mtb clinic, I realize that I have a lot to learn in terms of technique and proper skills. So hearing about your skills training is very helpful :-)

It sounds like the weaving and the ledge work were fun and challenging! I'm sure you'll gradually get the hang of applying all this to the trails. As with most things in life - practice makes perfect, smiles.

[indysteel]

It sounds like you had a productive lesson, Catrin. Hopefully you'll have a chance to get back on the trail soon for more practice. DH and I went to Brown County this morning. We started at PL and then took the North Gate Connector for a bit. I really wanted to session the rooty ascent on that trail, but it was just. so. hot. It's just goinh to have to wait for milder temps. From there we rode back down to the parking lot. The "descent" that once scared me is a piece of cake now, and I didn't feel the need to ride my brakes. Yay! We then did Limekiln each way. I love that trail; it has a bit of everything. I noticed today that I'm moving around obstacles a lot more and picking better lines. By necessity, that means I've moving around my bike a lot more. I'm still having a mental/physical block over getting my front wheel up. I'm going to have to work on that in a big way.

[azfiddle]

What a great opportunity to have the one-on-one coaching, and fun, except for the heat.

[Catrin]

The coaching was an awesome opportunity and I really appreciate her time and effort helping me.

I really like that shortcut descent from the restroom down to the parking lot - I did great on it the first time I rode it by myself because I wasn't so tired and could focus on keeping my feet level. The second time was a problem because I was overly tired...

I've decided to camp at BCSP for 1-2 nights on my quickly approaching vacation and focus on sessioning Pine Loop and at least part of Limekiln. Tent camping isn't expensive, certainly less than the gas needed to drive down a couple of days in a row. I think that the main problem right now is my confidence, and there is only one way of taking care of that The coach said my skills are great for my level, I just need to migrate those skills to the trail.

I wish I could go back next weekend, and I will if I can. Regardless my vacation is in two weeks

[indysteel]

Camping out there is a great idea. It gives you time to do an hour or two on the trails, rest, and then go out again. I hope the weather cools for you.

I promised Brian I'd try a new trail next time. I gotta go back to the roots so to speak on the Connector with the hope of trying part of the Green Valley trail. Brian seesm to think I can handle it despite it being an intermediate trail. I'm not so sure....Here's hoping.

[Catrin]

Camping out there is a great idea. It gives you time to do an hour or two on the trails, rest, and then go out again. I hope the weather cools for you.

I promised Brian I'd try a new trail next time. I gotta go back to the roots so to speak on the Connector with the hope of trying part of the Green Valley trail. Brian seesm to think I can handle it despite it being an intermediate trail. I'm not so sure....Here's hoping.

No shame in walking overly difficult bits

[indysteel]

I agree. I just watched a youtube video of Green Valley. It looked mostly doable. The steep drop offs looked a little scary. It's funny; with both Pine Loop and Limekiln, I initially balked when I saw the dropoffs. Now, I don't even notice them, but with each new trail, I can anticipate something spooking me. I guess it's the learning (and confidence) curve.