Just returned from the 7th Annual Beyond Bow Women's Mountain Biking Symposium at Stoney Creek and all I can say is "WOW"!
The morning started kind of mellow with Mountain Biking 101 and Intro to Racing. We learned a lot of basic information. The instructors shared their experiences and answered our questions. It was wonderful talking to other female riders, age ranging from 20's to 50's. Later in the morning, I learned how to fix a flat tire and a broken chain in the Maintenance Clinic. Everything was so much easier than I imagined. Getting your hands dirty was lots of fun.
The event just kept getting better. During lunch break, I was the first one got picked in the drawing and won a $60 pink Specialized jersey.
Then it was time to RIDE!
Since I had no off-road experience, I entered myself into the Novice group. The first half hour was really slow, going less than 6 miles per hour learning to shift gears. When we rode slowly (did I say slow) on the two track, I started to doubt if I was in the wrong group (maybe I should try Beginner). Well, the real fun was yet to come.
We finally arrived at the Pines (single track), which is a trail wide enough for one bike, a narrow path through the woods. It has 8 obstacles along the way. We practiced the first sharp downhill turn twice (woohoo!), then learned how to ride over the log pile (yes!). When we reached the rock garden, the instructor asked us to just walk through, because it was too difficult for our group. What? Without even trying it? I made a sad face and asked if we could at least attemp it (when will I have another opportunity to have 3 instructors and 3 big guys as spotters?). Another girl chimed in, and we were good to go. Went over the rock garden twice and no fall! The bridge and the big rock in the middle of the trail weren't too bad at all.
After going through each obstacles once or twice, the instructor told us to try the loop again without stopping. At this time, I knew that if I wanted a chance to clear the obstacles, I needed to be the first to go in my group (just behind the instructor), so I wouldn't lose the speed to pass the obstacles if someone decided to do a sudden stop.
It was such an exhilirating experience when you put everything together- zipping through the trees, sharp downhill turns, the wind in your ears, feeling the flow of the trail, and finally clean the loop. My heart was in my throat, but I did it. The best thing I learned is to trust my bike and my body and everything will fall into place.
Two comments from the instructors stuck in my mind:
"You're a natural!"- gotta save this for frustrating times.
"Look like we've found you a new sport!"
That is darn right.
