PVD Mountain Bike Skills Clinics
What is the goal?
The goal of these clinics is to build the physical and mental skills needed to properly negotiate a bike in advanced singletrack conditions. Many people have never had proper instruction on what to look for, how to think, and even ridden in honestly challenging conditions. I am not a professional rider or trainer. I am a very experienced and skilled trailrider with the ability to convey to other riders the concepts involved in trailriding. I can be a hardass when instructing. If you don't have a thick skin and need coddling, go somewhere else.
What to bring?
The #1 thing that you must bring is the conviction to learn how to ride your bike well. The chances are great that you will get somewhat hurt in this process. You could get very seriously hurt, but chances are that you will escape each session with only a few cuts and bruises. This is what it takes to advance in trailriding. Riders that are not willing to challenge themselves are not welcome.
You should consider some protection for many of the sections that will be focused on. Sixsixone makes some very good protection for trialriders. Here are some of their products that I like. These are not great protection for downhill riding, but perfect for trailriding where a rider must generate power over an extended period of time.
- KYLE STRAIT KNEE GUARD - Possibly the best protection you can get for trailriding.
- EVO KNEE
- EVO ELBOW
- EVO GLOVE
This is trailriding. Downhill bikes are only suggested for very advanced riders since their length can lead to extreme difficulties in getting around the tight corners seen on Marin's singltrack. Long travel hardtails with slack head angles are prefered. Short travel suspension is OK. Long travel suspension is usable, but not prime.
Clinics
Saturday April 4,2009
Mill Valley Training Loop - This is a perfect skills ride. 1 legal singletrack, 3 medium density illegal singletracks, 2 very low density illegal singletracks. The challenge varies from prime singletrack challenges to extremely advanced sections. Riders are encouraged to wear protection but this must work with the scope of the ride. Knee protection for light climing and basic singletrack sections. Maximum protection for advanced decents. Armor should be removable for the climb from Mountain Home in to Ridgecrest. Full face helmet as desired.
- Skill Level - Advanced Trailriding Skills. Rider need not be advanced, but must be eager to learn. Minimum skill should be ability to comfortably ride Tamarancho in either direction or the back side of China Camp. Advanced and expert riders looking for critique and practice are welcome.
- Fitness - Clinic will crest Mt. Tam over Ridgecrest connecting Railroad Grade and Eldridge Grade. Rider will need fitness to accomplish this in addition to riding singletrack and working on the various sections.
- Where - Old Mill Park, Mill Valley. Gmap
- Time - 8:30am. Do not be late.
- Duration - 3-4 hours
- Cost - None. This is the first group clinic I'm doing. I will request participant fill out a review to improve future clinics.
- Misc. - Post ride at Marin Brewing Company. Gmap
