A few weeks ago, my mountain bike team, Sturdy Bitch Racing, held a women’s coaching clinic for new mountain bikers at Duthie Hill Mountain Bike Park in Issaquah, Washington.
For a couple of ladies, this was the first time riding singletrack in years. For at least one rider, it was the first time ever on dirt. For all of us, it was a great time, full of smiles and laughs. Learning is always better when it’s fun.
Needless to say, the clinic focused on the basics: body positioning, shifting and braking, and staying loose and fluid on the bike. After several lessons and practice sessions, the group took their skills to the trail, riding Duthie’s Boot Camp and Step It Up trails.
The ladies navigated singletrack turns and negotiated obstacles like roots and even ladders. These intrepid beginner mountain bikers impressed us all.
Here are a few videos taken during the lesson portion of the clinic, led by Coach Kathy Malvern.
Lesson 1: Body Positioning
Video: Coach Kathy teaches beginning mountain bikers the basics: correct body positioning on the bike to prepare for riding over obstacles.
Lesson 2: Shifting and Braking
Video: Kathy gives beginner mountain bikers tips for shifting and braking.
Lesson 3: Dynamic Movement
Video: Beginner mountain bikers learn how to stay loose over rough and variable terrain.
See you new mountain bikers on the trail!
Angela Sucich, freelance writer
