WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR CLINIC

What to expect for learning

*Minimum Terrain for Maximum Learning*
We use a variety of different terrains to break down and teach the various skills needed for rad riding, ranging from the road to roots. But the one thing they all have in common is that they have been selected to allow you to learn, in relative safety, growing your skills and confidence. Nobody will be put into terrain which is unsafe or beyond the scope of this clinic.

*Slow*
There’s no “just go fast and pull up” in these clinics! We will be working on skills at a slow pace. Going too fast on terrain you are unfamiliar with and feel out of control on, puts your lizard brain in control and prompts a fight, flight, or, more commonly in women, a freeze response. Once you have engaged your frozen-with-fear brain, you are no longer in learning mode. The various skills are taught at an appropriate speed for you to learn safely and effectively.

*Practice*
We will work on several different drills across the clinic. You may pick up some of the skills right away, but not others. Someone might get a skill straight away that you can’t, and vice versa. And that is 100% okay. Everyone learns in different ways and at different speeds. Almost all the skills you learn will need practice. A lot of practice. Mountain biking is a skill-based sport, and as such requires the classic ‘10,000 hours’ to master. After the clinic is done, it is a matter of putting time in the saddle while practicing correctly.

Clinic Essentials

All clinic participants are required to have the following essential items for the day:

A well-maintained, modern (no more than 7 years old) mountain bike, that is the right size for you, with a dropper seat post. Please email us if you don’t have a dropper post or if you don’t know what a dropper post is. This is a very important part of learning the proper skills.

A modern, correctly fitted bicycle helmet. If you need to a helmet, just send us an email to tell us to bring one.

Flat pedals are strongly preferred, even for long-time clipless pedal users. If you don't have flat pedals, email support@womeninthemountains.com to borrow a pair of demo flat pedals.

Any food and snacks you want to keep you going throughout the clinic.

A water bottle to keep fluids and hydration up.

Multiple layers for varying weather conditions.

Full-finger riding gloves-if you need to borrow a pair, just send us an email!

Clinic Extras

While not essential, the following is highly recommended to help you get through the day more comfortably:

Consider wearing a mountain bike specific short or "baggies". These shorts offer more protection than just Lycra shorts and a chamois pad.

Shoes - if you have mountain bike-specific shoes, please bring your pedals as well. If you do not have mountain bike shoes, a pair of running shoes work.

Eyewear, such as sunglasses

Consider bringing basic bike tools if you have them - spare tube, tire levers and a multi-tool. If not, you can rely on coaches! As you take your skills to the trails you will want to purchase some basic bike tools (and learn how to use them).

Join our private Facebook Group. Make friends, plan riders or ask your mountain biking questions in a safe women only mountain biking group.

Let us know if you have any questions. The team at Women in the Mountains can be reached support@womeinthemountains.com.