mtn biking courses

[ayermail2]

Guess what girls!!? There's a Ladies Mtn Biking Racing Team locally that is offering mtb training rides at Tanglewood Park every Wednesday!!! This morning was the first time I had ever changed my tires (I had slicks, just changed to knobbies!!) so now I get to go - I am so excited . It's so freeing to be able to change your own tires and not wait for the bike shop to be open (which isn't til 9:30 in the morning...)
I'll let you know how it goes - this'll be my first time on the trails with clipless pedals (not that I have been on the trails a whole lot yet anyway....)

[StormingColour]

Wow! Too cool. I am going to seek out a beginner skills course in late summer this year. Accordig to the trails I ride, i am at the beginning of intermediate. I hope by the end of the summer to be doing some hard trails. I want to learn everything right now and my mind seems up to it. Now, if I could ony get my body in shape as quickly as I get my attitude...

Too -> I am still having trials and tirbulations with my clipless. They have a learnig curve, but I have already seen the value in them.

[ayermail2]

I think it was just about everything - I had been there (Tanglewood Park) once before and fell off one of the bridges, and remembered the turns being really tight, so I couldn't shake the nervousness, BUT the ladies (& Chuck!) were very helpful, waiting at points where the paths had choices of directions, at the tops of hills and all that! There were points where I felt like crying (but didn't!), and other points where I was ABSOLUTELY SURE I would fall (but I didn't! ) There were other points where I said, "I like this! I could handle that!" (it was nice and flat, just close together with the trees on either side ) And even other points where I was totally amazed that I had actually made it through!!

All that in an hour, in a less-than-5-mile ride....go figure!

PS I had the clipless pedals, but I didn't clip in - they are new to me on road too - think that it's been about 3 weeks since I got 'em - not quite ready to use them on the trail, although I can certainly see the benefit - a couple of times my feet just flew off (well, a lot of me just seemed to be flailing!)

I am probably at the beginning of beginner!

And just think, I can do this every Wednesday...

[han-grrl]

Hey Y'all new the clipless world

here are some bits of advice i have given my students:
1) try it inside or outside leaning against a wall. clip into both pedals
2) try practicing clipping in and out with each pedal (one foot on the ground). this allows you to make sure the setting is ok. if it is tight try loosening them (there are two screws, for spd's, one in the front and one in the back. for time pedals you flip the cleat around. i don't recommend time pedals for beginners.)
3) one of the best places to practice ANYTHING to do with balance is on grass. it provides a nice soft landing if you fail to unclip.

hope this helps

good luck!

Han

[StormingColour]

Thanks for the advice

Now for the tough part... go and apply it!

I find the more I talk myself into having the courage, the more courage I have. I am already doing things that I never thought I would do. I am pretty lucky though. I have an excellent biking partner. He has limitless patience for instructing and knows when to be quiet too. He never seems to get upset when I am "being a baby" (he doesn't say it, I just know I am )

I am probably going to go for a few hour ride on SUnday. I am looking forward to getting on my bike for a long one.

[Dogmama]

There is a course held in Oct (?) in Moab - the name of it is escaping me at the moment - maybe someone else knows about it. I almost went last year - it sounded really good.

I'm a road rider who got a mt bike about a year ago. So, I don't know nuthin' about dirt! I'm still learning (on my own) but would like to be taught the basics so I can do more things.

Kim

[han-grrl]

here are some bits of advice i give to my students:

1) be patient with yourself. remember you are doing this to be outside and get some exercise. no point in getting all frustrated if something intimidates you. the hill has been there for thousands of years and will still be there tomorrow if you want to try it again.
2) if all else fails: keep your weight back, momentum is your friend, don't think so much and smile!
3) don't forget to breathe and to loosen the death grip on your handlebars. I think we all tend to get a little excited on the trail and not realize we are holding our breath!
4) practice practice practice. i think a lot of people equate mountain biking to just plain biking. a lot of skill and fitness is required. hey some people are naturals. most of us (including me) need to work at it.

Happy riding!

Han