Day One: Kristin Armstrong Cycling Academy

Day One: Kristin's Cycling Clinic

With front bike wheel in hand—feeling a little conspicuous in my work out gear—I showed up to our meeting spot 30 minutes early. Apparently,  I was right on time. One of the first people I met upon entering the center was Kristin herself. I have to admit I felt a little starstruck. Actually, I felt this way about her whole team. With her she brings a handful of experts; these are the same people who helped her win some pretty important medals. (And they are all incredibly nice folks.)

I moseyed into the back of our meeting room—a key place to observe my fellow two-wheeling friends. I was very curious to see who was attending this camp. Frankly, I was afraid I'd be the only one who wasn't a cycling phenomenon. As it turns out, others felt the same way. As women filtered into the room names, ages, and experiences started bouncing around. The chatter was bubbling over everywhere. 


63

58

53 

No, this isn't a lock combination. These are the ages of just three of the women I spoke with last night. Talk about inspiring! They were all fit, looking younger than their years, and excited to be there. Man, that's how I want to spend 63. How about you?

We didn't spend too much time talking though. We had a lot to learn in three hours.

Kristin and her team went to town. We covered a whole slew of topics—everything from saddle alignment to pedaling mechanics to pain to how to change a flat tire. Yes, I am ecstatic to say I have changed a "flat" on my bike. Now all 20 + of us can help others out on the road if they run into a hail storm of goat heads.  Very, very liberating!


There is a lot to cycling. I kind of equate this clinic to the reason one should take snowboarding lessons. You can have your friends teach you all the bad habits you'll spend years trying to pry out of your brain, or you can go to the professionals and have them teach you the basics—the right way. This clinic is teaching many of us good skills right out of the gate.

This is just the beginning. The fun continues this weekend. Our next assignment involves the word "drills." Yes, it does sound scary—that is exactly why it is going to rock! I'm looking forward to learning some new skills and to forging some cycling friendships that can take me down the road.