Home again from the Midwest Women's MTB Clinic

[Catrin]

Sounds fantastic, Catrin!! I'm glad they changed the format. It sounds much more manageable. I'd love to know some of the drills you worked on. Did you do the North Tower Loop? It's fun don't you think? Minus a bit more climbing, I think it's easier in some ways than Limekiln in that it's not as rooty and rocky. I'm bummed that I didn't try it sooner. I love coming back down the connector, too. Whoosh!!!

Good call, it was indeed the North Tower Loop There were a couple of places I wasn't comfortable riding because of the combination of trail surface and size of roots - it is certainly rootier than Limekiln! I found it fun though and there are some sections that do seem easier than Limekiln. I hit the Loop straight from the road After 8 months off the mtb trails I was feeling it in my quads at the end of the trail - but I recovered quickly.

We started out with the basics and a skills assessment. Basic positions and body-bike separation. I still can't do that "wind-shield wiper movement" though I think I was finally starting to get it - practice, practice, practice. We spent well over an hour on different types of stopping and braking practice. I really needed that - and I need to practice some more on this.

We were going to do more drills after lunch, but wound up hitting Limekiln instead At the Hoosiers Nest we did some impromptu drills focusing on tight turning and figure 8's.

There were many different Beginner groups, and there was a range of skills between the groups. I noted at least one of the beginner groups were doing box jumps (for lack of knowing what to call it).

Oh yes, I forgot to mention that before the event, the event organizer sent a survey to everyone asking very specific questions about our skill level so she could plan out who went into which group. Some of the beginners certainly had far more skills than I - but they were in other groups.

Added: I plan to write a blog post tonight on the weekend, along with couple of pictures that I barely remembered to take