Philadelphia Mountain Biking Association - Forums

Four Mini Clinics at the Livezey Pavilion (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=40.04562,-75.215642&spn=0.011745,0.018711&z=16&msid=117386519570370236015.0004517b80e544b722d76) This Saturday ! 11am

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1. Demo 1 Ride
Ride Leader; Jon Pearce
Level: Beginner; first-timer

Jon will take you out from the Pavilion and over Demo 1, sharing his insights from many years of experience and helping you get started in MTB.

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2. Beginner Racing Clinic
Ride Leader: Jesse Kelly
Level: Beginner; Intermediate

We’ll cover the basics of racing. Race Day Prep, Gear, Hydration and Nutrition, Repair Kit and Essentials, How to pass and be passed, etc... Then we’ll go for a ride and also cover a couple techniques for clearing small logs.
The Fair Hill Classic is on Sunday and for those who’d like to give racing a try this would be a great event. Not only do they have the standard Beginner, Sport and Expert Categories but also a Novice 7-miler. Whether or not you’ll be racing Sunday you are more than welcome to learn a bit about competitive MTB. 

Race Day Flyer (http://www.trailspinners.org/Fair_Hill_Classic_Race_2008_Flyer_v3.pdf)
Course Map (http://www.trailspinners.org/2008RaceMap.pdf)
MASS site (http://www.masuperseries.com/MASS2008/index.html)

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3. Demo 2 Ride
Ride Leader; Tom Coyle
Level: Intermediate/Advanced

Tom will be taking a crew over to Demo 2 to check out the various techniques for both going up and down the challenging trail. Some large steps to get up and large ledges to drop. Techniques will include approach, timing, and picking the best lines. More info soon.

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4. Ladies Beginner Clinic
Ride Leader; Kelly
Level: Beginner; first-timer

MTB 101 from Kelly taking the ladies on an introductory ride and answering all the important questions to get your started in MTB. Come enjoy a low pressure yet challenging intro to get a taste of mountain biking.

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People, these clinics are evolving as we speak, so let us know what which you’re interested in attending. These will be be a start of many more so no worries if you can’t make it this time around.

Wow this sounds awesome.  If I could go  :'( I'd definitely attend the race clinic.  I'd really like to try and race next season.   

I can't wait for the next clinic! 

I'd be interested in attending any of the beginners clinics, especially the ladies one.  I can't attend this weekend, but would love to.  Please do this again!!!  I just need a little more notice so I can get a babysitter.

sorry to spring it on you like this. We'll start planning one for next month now too.

Where do you access this section of the trail? I wish I was able to attend, but parental duties and family commitments supersede all riding chances :'( !!!!!!

Have ya'll started to plan when the next clinics will take place??

Hey fishnchips ...

I would love to participate in #2 and #3 (as shown above), but I have previous commitments this weekend.  Maybe next time.  I really think they are great ways to get people involved in mountain biking who aren't, and to get those more involved who already are.  I hope to help with those clinics someday too.

See ya on the trail!  :)

John

Hey Matt that was just a typo. Sorry about that.

It's Mark, not Matt. LOL  ;D..........................

Anyway, I know that a section of trail is over there, but is a "hush hush" situation???

There is nothing secret or hush hush about the Lincoln Drive trail. It's on the Wiss map. And I can tell you that it is super fun. I access it where Lincoln Drive meets Rittenhouse Street and I take it all the way down to Ridge Ave. Have fun!

Oops Sorry Mark. It's not Hush Hush but we're probably not going over there on Saturday.

I got the clearance from the hubby!  He's going to take care of the baby, so I'm in!  I'm really excited and honestly a little scared (ok, a lot scared  :-[).  I've never been on the Wiss, but I'm willing to learn!

The excitement is wonderful, sometimes being scared is good, but not while on a bike, it's always best to be cautious than scared.

So remember when riding to be alert, and aware of your surroundings, and if you do feel scared that means you know there is a real danger, and sometimes it's best to just get off the bike for a second and stop, check out where you are and get back on and ride again. Very easy to do.

Being Cautious, means your speed and position will give you ample opportunity to dismount from you bike if you get scared, so you can proceed safely. 

There will be instructors out there to help you learn to navigate a trail that appears scary, and discover the easiest "line" to ride down or up the particular trail, so you will have lots of fun while you ride.

Thanks Kman!
I guess I'm more nervous than scared... I know I need to gain more confidence in myself and my bike.  I have just started riding again after about a little over a year break and the last time I rode before the break I had a pretty bad OTB.  I didn't get hurt that bad (I just carry a little Marsh Creek in my knee w/ me), but it made me question myself and my ability.  I've only been on 3 rides since getting back into riding, and w/ each ride I'm doing more and more.  I've only been on 1 ride w/ my new bike, so I'm still getting used to it.  All in all, I want to glean as much info from the instuctors as I can.  My ultimate goal is to start racing next year, but I'm a long way off and know I have a lot of work to do.  But I'm willing to put in the time and effort to become better. 

hey all
do the clinics all start at the same time?
I would like to do demo 1 and maybe demo 2.

I had a good time at the last clinic you had.
I am looking forward to doing Demo 1 again it was fun.
I would also like to try Demo 2 but I will let you decide weather or not I could handle it.

thanks
Doug

hey doug, there's a good chance the demo1 and demo2 clinic will be combined, and if not, the demo2 clinic can ride demo1 to get there...

Hey RAW Ive been riding for 8 years, no one has crashed more frequently than me, and I just get back on and ride harder and faster, Its my style everyone is different, but its all part of the fun.

Rob Krotee

the demo 2 ride sounds great!! Love that climb. But I have to attend some blasted baby shower at noon that includes guys too... man!! :-[

Whoa...have fun at that Riggs.

If there are other guys there, hopefully there will be plenty of beer and maybe a horseshoe pit in the back yard.

So...you're not riding at wiss...were you can get tips on one of the toughest hills in the park...so you can go to a baby shower.....I just don't know what to say.

I went over and climbed Demo 2 today just to make sure I can do it. Cleaned it smoothly.

wow

LOL

Good luck this weekend guys.  I'll be thinking about you while I sit on the couch being waited on by my fiance and mommy  ;D

...but seriously I really want to be on my bike riding with you guys :'(

Riggs find the bar or bring the bar! I had to do one of those & it was brutal! haha

Hopefully I can make it for the Demo 2 clinic.  I mowed the lawn and did other landscaping crap tonight so I don't have to on Saturday.

Damn it  -I may bail on this baby shower guys included crap so I might get laid BS - Yo Tom now you have me all fired up!!!!  I need to clear that hill - what inspiration I tell ya

You know I never thought of that angle. Mmmmm. Your like; a baby shower crasher. We may have to let it slide due to your alternative motives.

Priorities, priorities....

Classic!  Yo Rigs don't you know that's the exact opposite of how to remain mysterious?!?  It might work once right before she puts it in a jar.

Hilarious!!

I will be at the Flourtown Countryclub up from the Wiss from noon onward - would much rather learn to get over those last two Ledges climbing up Demo Two - Wait - maybe I'll also get Lucky with Leslie and get over the Ledges. There you go.  Beautiful.
I will ride tomorrow hope to bump into fellow PMBA People enventually...

My ultimate goal is to start racing next year, but I'm a long way off and know I have a lot of work to do.  But I'm willing to put in the time and effort to become better.  ***Not quite in tune w/ the quote thing yet ;D***


Hi R.A.W.:

Well you have the right attitude & are willing to put in the time... after that everything will eventually fall into place with riding.  Don't worry about the falls I think that riding hard = crashing hard & riding hard means pushing your ability level (whatever your level is)... it makes you a stronger rider.

See you tomorrow!
Kelly

First I would like to give out props for anyone who made today possible or donated their time & effort today.  What a GREAT DAY TO MOUNTAIN BIKE!! I had a blast & it reminded me of how much fun riding can be!

Second I would like to give give HUGE props to Steph for her assstance & leadership in the girl ride.... to help maintain a more approachable riding style (i.e. allow others to use the trails Steph stepped up and lead her own group; once that group had to leave... I promise on their own accord... Steph located the first group & her & she & I took turns in playing front & anchor.  I was unaware of her presence prior to the event however her presence helped make the ladies beginners ride (what I feel) a huge success!!!! Thanks Steph.

The ladies beginner ride started at the "Coil" trail to the end of Demo 1; reverse and then went all the way (not only back) but up Gorges to the long down that followed!  We then took Forbidden to Livesey fireroad up to the Pavilion... It was an awesome time.

There were so many successes in today ride & I want to thank everyone for coming to the clinics... both Jesse & Jon for organizing it... all of the leaders that turned out to help & everyone in PMBA who came out today 7 showed support & gave awesome imput.  Everyone participation in today clinics made this not only a club that I am not glad I am apart of but one that I am very p0roud that I am apart of.   

For any girls who rode today (in all clincs) their is also a girls ride that happen every Tuesday @ the Pavilion @ 6 pm.  I hope that you can attend.

Thanks for all the support from everyone today... members... non members & PMBA  alike... Can't wait to see everyone in August!

- Thanks for reading!
Kelly

hey Kelly-

Muchos thank yous for showing my wife (RAW) the trails today! I've been trying to get her out there & finally convinced her to go today. The result? She came home TOTALLY AMPED UP about riding today. She was so fired up (& still is) that she wants to get back soon & do more..I think your ride today gave her some of her confidence back from last year.
If she does make the decision to jump in on the Tues girl's ride, I may hire a sitter for those nights & do trail maintenance w/Tom & Jeremy while you're all out there if that plan gets off the ground. 

Rob.

Kellyann and Steph,
Thanks so much for leading this ride!  I had a great time, and like the hubby said I gained a lot of my confidence back.  I'm excited to ride there again, but I need to work on the hill climbs!  I do love the downs, tho!  All the ladies did a great job!
Also, thanks to everyone who organized these clinics!  Honestly, I wouldn't have attempted the Wiss for a while if it hadn't been for this.  It was a great no pressure way to be introduced to this awesome resource.  Please plan more of these, it was a great experience.  I can't make the one on the 26th (2 parties already on the calendar), so I'll look for the next one!
Thanks again!  And I maybe out some Tuesday!!!

Rebecca

I had a great time at the clinics yesterday and I'd like to thank the leaders of the intermediate/advanced demo 2 ride for their advice and help. I learned a lot and in spite of my first OTB in the wiss my confidence probably went up a notch or two. I did make it down demo 2 safely once, but on my second attempt I did everything wrong:- went too slow, didn't get back far enough, didn't look far forward enough and to top it all off, used the brakes (too much). Falling off my bike and landing on my neck/windpipe was a big fear of mine beforehand, but now having done it and come out the other end, it is obviously quite a safe thing to do and I would recommend everyone try it...;)

Seriously though, all I can say is that for anyone learning in the wiss (like me), if a drop off / step / obstacle looks like it's too much for you to handle safely, this may well be the case and it might be best to find something similar but smaller elsewhere in the park and practice on that first.

I thought the mini clinics were a great idea and thanks again to all the organizers.
Colm

OUR INTRO GROUP DID ABSOLUTELY AWESOME!

You guys rocked! We as the injured 'advanced' riders (Lou and I) were impressed. Thanks John for being a great leader.

Hope you guys better plan to be part of our next clinic again, or come out to a weekly planned ride. Ride on!

Colm, glad to see your post and hope you are feeling ok.  Sound like you've moved past the OTB already - nice.

I went back over there today and was trying to clear the section I had trouble w/yesterday but, in fact, I couldn't make it up the one section that I was clearing before...go figure.

See you Thurs maybe.

John

 

Well, the so-called "beginner" group turned out to be totally awesome.  These guys handled everything on the Demo 1 trail  - all of the logs, dropoffs and hills.  Everyone cleared the log at Wises Mill Road on the first try (it took me weeks to get up the nerve to try that) and most of the group hamdled the Gorgas climb with only one stop.  These guys are all ready for prime time.  Certainly the expert and enthusiastic instruction from Nick and Lou was instrumental in their success.  Keep checking the PMBA calendar - this event was a great success and we'll have to do it again soon.

Colm
I want to thank you for my first bloody neck experience on the trail. I'm glad you're ok. Soon you'll be clearing that section no problem. Everyone in our group did great, even when the pace picked up a bit, which is bound to happen in the advanced group. There's alwasy someone steppin to keep the pace lively.

Great time. We are already planning the next one.

I wish I could have made it out to Demo 2.  Unfortunately, a busy week and bad sleeping pattern had wiped me out and I had to bail before we got to the clinic spot.   :'(

Sounds like it was a good time.

Yea it was a great day! I am still surprised at how many people showed up. I really enjoyed helping the beginners out and passing on a few techiniques that make the ride better and more enjoyable. I used to be a ski instructor and was having flash backs. I love teaching people and sharing knowledge. But I may have been rambling a couple times becuase my brain is still bruised from the concussion 4 weeks ago! Sorry!

Awesome to see so much positive feedback from the clinics! 

After reading a story in dirt rag (while waiting for Sport race to finish) I had a great idea for next month's cliinic's... we should have a kids clinic.  Perhaps 2 clinics one for the younger kids & one for teenagers.  This will help continue the sports growth as the article went on to say that Mountain Biking is usually a sport that develops for people who spent a lot of their childhood riding bikes; and that most kids are now shuttle around to practice in cars &/or goes to school via buses. 

Also something to keep open is October 7 is IMBA National Kids Trail day!

good call Kelly. I'm still blown away from the turnout of the last clinic; I mean, we planned it on Monday and by Saturday it was rocking.  Given some time I think it will be a huge event. (We're really going to have to do some planning...) Including the kids means an event for the entire family.

Once again yes it was an outstanding success. But we need to keep in mind that we are not a business, and nobody at PMBA gets paid. We are all volunteers. So before we plan a huge undertaking like a childrens clinic, etc, someone (the leader) needs to make sure that there are volunteers lined up and committed to come and run their particluar clinic. On top of that we need to make sure we have all the other stuff organized as well. I am all for it, and will definitely help out, but I'm just one person. The larger we make these events, the more planning it will require as well as up front money. Just food for thought.

I'd like to keep it simple. That being said the event was a big success with virtually no planning. If we put one together a month out, just from the website it will be big. And if we added it to the local public calendars as a 'free' event and we could be overwhelmed.  :o

I don't think we have to push membership; just have it available and maybe a short invite to join. Important basic things just need to be there, like sign up sheets! Collecting their information is vital and yet it totally slipped my mind last Saturday.  We should have some kind of form they can fill out, and we should leave them with more than a sticker when they go.

If we are providing food though too we may actually want to charge a nominal fee; $5 or $10, (which also can encourage people to value the experience even more). But taking money for the clinic might put us in a different situation as far as the FPC is concerned?  (reminds me I just saw a beginner clinic in the UK for a couple hours advertised at $100/person!)

We also have to consider the issue of the FPC trail pass.

Fortunately we had a lot of PMBA members out and many of us gained valuable experienced in presenting a "clinic". It was great having so much talent on hand. But no doubt we'll need more for a bigger event.

Hey guys..excuse me. hows it goin...

I don't think the general members need to read all this planning stuff. There is a thread on this in the board of directors forum where I've already stated these concerns. If you could go there with your comments it would be great. Thanks!

I agree with Lust4, except to say that Jesse was rambling more than you Lou, but you cut him off, I got video, so you can't argue with me.

   :P


But seriously, this was a great day, and Jesse did one hell of a job.


Krojack