LCI Training

[luvmyguys]

So where can the average new cyclist actually find these classes (not the instructor sessions, but the TS101 and similar classes)? I gather that I *should* be able to find one in my area (there's a bunch of instructors in my city), but every search turns up nada. I searched here, entered city, state, zip and a 100 mile radius. Got resources - including 50+ instructors - on everything BUT classes. Is one supposed to be a member?

[Geonz]

So where can the average new cyclist actually find these classes (not the instructor sessions, but the TS101 and similar classes)? I gather that I *should* be able to find one in my area (there's a bunch of instructors in my city), but every search turns up nada. I searched here, entered city, state, zip and a 100 mile radius. Got resources - including 50+ instructors - on everything BUT classes. Is one supposed to be a member?

You don't have to be an LAB member to take the TS101 course (but you do to become an instructor). We are *required* per "you have to do this if you want to be insured" to post when we're teaching classes on the website, so if they're not there, they're probably not happening. On the other hand, navigating the site isn't that easy -- but when I clicked on the classes tab, I got ours.

It's sometimes hard to get enough people interested in a course to make it happen, which discourages instructors... it would be worth letting the instructors know you're interested. It's set up so you can actually take the "knowledge" part online (though IMO actually talking to people about stuff is 'way better, because so many things depend on specific circumstances and talking about what you do at *this* intersection or in that kind of weather is really helpful).

You might also consider trying to get enough people together who want a course to make it happen, say, through some local entity. Our Adult Basic Education folks are sponsoring a class -- I don't know if it's full TS101, or maybe just the Commuting module -- the next two Thursdays... one in classroom, the other on the road. Then, I'm afraid, that's it 'til spring (which stinks because I have a conflict Thursday so I can't co-teach).

I actually got the "certification" -- I can co-teach (which I have to do twice), but before I can teach those skills I need a full LCI to see me do those maneuvers right. I had to laugh at myself on my commute. I had told myself that I didn't know those maneuvers because I just go straight all the time, but there are a couple of key points in my commute where actually... I could and should ride a little more bravely. There's a place where I have to go around a pillar that I tell myself *every day* that I should be able to ride throuigh, yet *every day* I dab my little feet (after forcing myself not to riding through the little patch of mud that gets me up that driveway). We'll see if I can convince myself to Just Do It. (I have the same conversation when I remind myself that no, little bits of gravel do *not,* honestly, do *not* gather themselves together, grab my bicycle and throw it to the ground. I really can keep pedaling...)

[Melalvai]

I've heard from other cyclists that mountain biking trains you in those emergency maneuvers. I was describing them to someone who mountain bikes and he said "Oh yeah, I've done that, yeah, I learned to do that all the time. yup, that one too".

I like to do the quick-turn on just about every corner because it is fun. I like the lean.

I like to try to make the brakes squeal with the instant stop. Especially when there are people to hear.

Rock dodge is fun to practice on actual rocks & potholes, also with leaves and just marks on the road (that aren't an actual obstacle). But I prefer a bunny hop (not advised by the League!)

In fact when we were practicing Rock Dodge during my LCI training, it was getting pretty boring because all of us pretend-students were doing it perfectly and the pretend-instructor was having to say over and over "Good job, very nice". So I did a bunny hop instead--which the real trainer had told us he kicks kids out of his class for bunny hops and wheelies and stoppies. Everyone laughed a lot more than it deserved, because we were so bored with the Rock Dodges! We moved on to something else shortly after I did that! And we made a point of doing things incorrectly so the pretend-instructor had something to say besides "Good job".

[Geonz]

Yea, the rock dodge was no problem -- I think they just lumped all the maneuvers together. I don't mountain bike at all... because I hate leaning and turning. I need to get over it

They really did a good job cramming a ton of stuff in, and making it reasonably interesting. We were a pretty good class, too -- interesting people, but not to the point of distraction. It was just *hard* for this little nerd