ABA learn to race

Craig Stappler instructed an ABA learn to mountain bike race night on Monday, unfortunately weather caught up on Tuesday.  Perhaps a rain check is in order for day 2?

 

I had meant to show up to just drop Cindy off and do hill repeats (got in a few during the orientation) rather than wedge into the group, but a few repeats in on the south side, a lady with a Speed Theory kit – Sandra – had shown up a bit late and asked me if I’d seen the learn to race mountain bikes group… No problem!  We rode off to find where the group of 11 was, then once we caught up, Cindy’s friend needed help with her chain, I was asked about gearing on a hill by someone else,  so I sort of started “tail gunning” to help the group as they say in the ski guiding world. 

 

Craig’s information I heard delivered to the group was a great reminder that some bike knowledge we take for granted is completely new to some riders, and as well his coaching ability to educate and motivate people is terrific in my humble opinion.  It was a great job overall of helping a handful of people learn riding offroad.  There’s now more people who will try to coast up those first steep climbs rather than mash gears, break chains, and fatigue legs (among other wisdom from the evening).  When I first got over to the group with Sandra, it was perfect: 6 people dismounting and messing with gears at the bottom of a steep climb out of a V shaped ravine on the “justify the lessons lap” of the mini course; it looked like a gong show.  60 minutes later they all looked nearly as effortless as they shifted before, looked ahead, coasted uphill, and waited for the bike speed to match the leg spin speed… no standing and tire slipping, and just riding up it easily.  That’ll eliminate a lot of frustration for new mountain bikers/aspiring racers.  Great stuff!

 

Everyone was appreciative of Craig’s help after.  The girls thought it was nice to have someone supportive and patient to explain things.  The teenage boys just thought it was “awesome” how Craig demonstrated stuff.  I was just happy to witness 11 people expanding their mountain biking horizons at the tutelage of a very skilled deadgoat!