Presented by the Krystal Chiks Women's Cycling Program and SORBA-Chattanooga
On Saturday, October 20th, the Krystal Chiks presented the inaugural Dirt Day Mountain Bike Clinic! Over 30 girls showed up at Raccoon Mountain to ride, learn and have a good time together. After registration and a brief welcome, the women's-only clinic started out with mountain bike skills instruction and practice, followed by a group ride. After lunch (provided by SORBA-Chattanooga), professional mountain bikers from the Vantaggio-Specialized team presented workshops on nutrition and trailside bike maintenance.
The morning started with some fun practice and instruction at skill stations in the field near Laurel Point. There were six skill stations set up so that everyone could practice obstacles that they would find out on the group ride - hills, winding singletrack trails, sharp corners, logs, etc. Mountain bikers from SORBA-Chattanooga and Scenic City Velo were on hand at each station to give tips and advice. There was a hill climb station so that everyone could practice going up and down steep hills. The figure-eight skill area was made up of cones opposite of each other in varying distances to simulate tight corners and switchbacks. There was a log and rock crossing skill area where riders could practice riding over logs and rocks (this was a popular area!). There was even a "slow-speed" skill area where girls could practice balancing/riding at very low speed - not as easy as it sounds!
Rock Hoppin'
Trey Commander and members of SORBA-Chattanooga manned the bike fit station and helped riders make sure that their bikes were properly adjusted. He had help, though, because he was also watching Linell's twins Hailey and Hannah while Linell participated in the clinic.
Trey Commander with Linnel, Hailey and Hannah Schultz
After the skills sessions, we all went out for group rides on the Raccoon Mountain trails. Kym Fasczewski led the beginner group ride. Paula Burks led the intermediate/advanced group ride. Kelly Bishop led the intermediate group ride. The trails were a ton of fun and allowed everyone to apply the skills that they had learned in the field.
Getting ready for the group ride
Paula Burks led the intermediate/advanced group ride
Lunch was provided by SORBA-Chattanooga to feed hungry riders after the group ride
The afternoon brought a workshop on trailside maintenance taught by Paula Burks. She taught everyone how to change a tire (including taking off the back wheel), fix a broken chain, and turn a bike into a singlespeed if a derailleur breaks on the trail. She also taught the girls how to use the barrel adjusters on the brake levers and shifters and how to adjust your suspension fork to the right pressure. Paula was great and helped everyone understand that in most cases they can fix their bikes well enough to get off the trial (which is such a better option compared to walking out when you’re miles into a trail). Thanks so much Paula! Everyone learned a ton! Some of the ladies said that they were ready to take apart their bikes when they got home.
Paula Burks taught the trail-side maintenance workshop
After that, Kym Fasczewski taught a nutrition workshop as the final event of the day. Kym received her Primary Sports Nutritionist License from the National Association of Sports Nutritionists in 2006. Kym taught everyone about the basics of proper sports nutrition and answered everyone’s questions. Among other things, Kym taught that it’s important to take in calories on the bike while riding about 90 minutes or more (times can range based on individual). She also taught that it’s important for recovery to eat within about a half hour of finishing a training ride to help the body replenish and refuel. We appreciate all your help, Kym! So many ladies commented that they learned an immeasurable amount from you!
Kym teaching proper sports nutrition
The Krystal Chiks would like to specially thank Krystal, Scenic City Velo, SORBA-Chattanooga, the Vantaggio/Specialized Women’s Pro Cycling Team, and TVA for making this event possible.
We also appreciate the guys that helped out: Collins Bishop; Trey Commander; Ralph Cousins; Eric Grau; Jeff Clumpner; Bill Parsons; and Paul Talbott.
More pictures coming soon!
Thank you to everyone who came out and spent the day with us. We hope that you had a good time and we are looking forward to holding another mountain bike clinic in the Spring.
-Kelly (and Collins) Bishop