Kristin's Clinic Hits the Road to Sun Valley

Kristin Armstrong Cycling Academy is hitting the road and will be rolling into Sun Valley for three days from May  28-30, 2010. If you are interested in participating in the Women's Road Cycling Skills Clinic now is your chance! Click here for the detailed event flier and contact information.

Days Two & Three: Learning How to Ride a Bike

As I get another year older *choke* one thing is for sure . . . you CAN teach an old dog new tricks. That same "dog" might be humbled by looking or feeling foolish, but the sense of accomplishment when success is attained is invaluable. 

Enter days two and three of Kristin's Cycling Academy

As someone who generally fears speed, riding with cars, and curbs, this three-day clinic was a God send. On day two (Saturday) we participated in a bevy of skills tests. We did everything from bunny-hopping and curb jumping to off-roading our road bikes. You really had to be there to appreciate the scene. Imagine 20+ women weaving in and out of cones, helmets perched on their heads, intention firmly pasted on their faces. Empowered. 
Cornering, shifting (a small science in itself), and braking were all practiced, too. All things you thought you knew how to do . . .

What was the difference between the 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday?

Confidence.

The ride in was totally different than the ride out; there was a definite hint of triumph & camaraderie in the air.

Day three (Sunday) was a mixture of the skills we had learned the day prior put to practical use. Riding out to a more secluded rural road, traveled most often by truck and horse trailer, we explored the meaning of cadence, ascending, descending, and bike positioning. 

When mentioning the word descending this usually causes my heart to race, my stomach to float upward, and my brow to start sweating—you know the feeling. Well, I mastered my fear of flying downhill with help from my new friends. My top speed (aka the slow lady's lightspeed) was 26 miles per hour. It rocked!

I can't say I commanded my hill climbing in the same way—I seriously was the weakest link. My legs and lungs weren't playing on the same team, or even mine, for that matter. That said, my version of failure excites me. I can only get better, faster, stronger—if I practice. And I have a lot of practice ahead of me.

At the end of the clinic we all headed back to our starting location using our echelon training. (We learned how to ride in a pack, too.) It was fun, just like riding a bike should be. I think every woman  rode away from the classes a little stronger and definitely more self-assured. Way to rock, ladies!

It looks like a second clinic may be on the horizon at some point (fingers crossed). I have to say, if you ever have an interest and have an opportunity to participate in Kristin's Cycling Academy for women, or any of them for that matter, DO IT!!! You will not regret it.

Many thanks to the K.A.C.A. Team (Kristin, Joe, Liza, Dave, Dave, Jason, Ron). You guys are the bomb-dot-com!

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.

80 Miles Down

Thundering up the path, fighting a headwind, can teach you something about perseverance. The steps to just get on that same path can, too. Here are some highlights from this weekend's rides that you might find useful in your own journeys.


The Presta Valve is a tricky jester. For weeks I have been "filling" my tire up with air and continually it seemed be going flatter and flatter. I decided to get to the bottom of the issue Saturday and fully inspect the presta valve on my slumpy front tire. The secret to the unfillable tire lies in the twist. Presta valves are different from regular (shrader) valves. You first unscrew the cap to the valve, but then you have to unscrew the bottom part of the presta valve (righty tighty, lefty loosey). This then allows you to fill it with air. If you push up on the valve after you've loosened it you can hear the air escape. Who knew!? I don't remember this being in the manual.

I now have been given "the wave." It must be official—the spandex makes this cycling imposter look like the real deal. In the motorcycling world you often find bros with hogs giving each other "the wave" when passing on the highway. It's a signal to say, "Hello, Friend." Well, in the cycling world it appears to be the same. A serious looking cyclist decked out in Lycra and shades gave me the hand signal (the good one) yesterday. It really kind of made my day; I'm a sucker for a friendly hello from anyone on the Greenbelt, especially from a fellow on two wheels. Thanks, Spandex Man.

Do these bike shorts make my butt look big? Eh, who cares?! Please note if you spend any amount of quality time with your bike you will eventually succumb to padded shorts, chamois butter, and goofy shoes. Also notice that at some point you stop caring about how you look in those same shorts in public. I know, you probably think that is impossible, but what starts with a spinning class will quickly move straight to Lucky 13.

Seriously.

The Greenbelt is no place for a cyclist (on the first awesomely sunny day). Kids, dogs, bikes, groups . . . they all want to enjoy the great outdoors on beautiful days, too. If you think you will be able to fly by them, reconsider. Sometimes they are all an accident waiting to happen. I have found the road less traveled by pedestrians can often cause the least anxiety and frustration for the cyclist in a hurry.

Rockin' out makes the miles fly by. In super geek style, I bought a $13 iPhone mount for the Green Steed. Yes I did. I'll get out my pocket protector and glasses now. No matter how you look at it, this bad boy rocks! I can listen to music (at a low volume) and answer a phone call mid pedal stroke.

Friends will push you to do things you otherwise might not. (That can be a good thing). I will be participating in Kristin Armstrong's Cycling Academy next week. I had decided to pass on clinic, but thanks to the encouragement (gentle prodding?) of my friend Monique I will be participating.  Can we say excited?! I sent over an email to find out if there were any openings available and there was one left!  I'll keep you posted on what I learn.

One hundred miles is the mileage goal for this week. I am excited to map out some new routes and push some new limits. I hope the start to your week begins with a bang.

Happy peddling!

Paige

Kristin's Cycling Academy is Finally Here!

As you heard us report a few months ago Kristin Armstrong is offering cycling academies for women. Well, the time is finally here! While perusing George's Cycles website this weekend a snippet about Ms. Armstrong's academy popped up. Here is the the link to the flyer (courtesy of George's Cycles).

And here is the official site for more information.

Can we say excited?! We'd love to have the chance to learn tricks, tips, and skills from our very own Olympian.