REI Diva Days

[Nooner]

just a quick note for women or people who know women who are interested in getting into mtn. biking. rei hosts a seminar called "Diva Days" which introduces women to outdoors actvities, including mountain biking! this year it is only 1 day long, but there still is a mountain biking class being offered. this is geared more towards women who either has either never ridden off road and wants to, or has but needs a little more encouragement to feel more comfortable.

we start off with mtn bike basics (what is a mtn bike), basics of shifting and then riding around in the grass, riding and standing, riding and lifting, riding over small obstacles (a 2x4, then several 2x4's, sticks, a log, etc....), and then doing a group ride. pass along to any one who might be interested.


info for it is below:

Diva Day -- September 16th, 2006 from 8 AM to 8 PM
(this is the same weekend as chequamegon)

Join us for a one-day version of our popular women’s event! Get hands-on instruction in fun outdoor activities including: kayaking, BWCA trip planning, orienteering, rock climbing/low ropes course, backpacking and mountain biking. Diva Day is also a great place to eat delicious food, make new friends and enjoy a full day in French Regional Park on Medicine Lake. If you are looking for a comfortable environment to learn a new skill, this is it.

Location: French Regional Park, Plymouth
Contact: Don Begalle at 952-884-4315 ext. 203
Cost: $75.00 for REI members & $85.00 for non members
Registration IS Required

[ebrandel]

Passed it along to the wife.

Two questions:
1. How long will the group ride be?
and
2. I'm assuming that she would need to bring her own bike? Will bikes be available for those that don't have a "real" mountain bike? (I'm thinking of my sister-in-law, she has an old comfort style bke)

[Nooner]

it's a pretty casual seminar and we are pretty accomodating to individual needs. i have taken women out after the seminar and during free time to ride more if they want. (i am not going to be at this session b/c of chequamie. but carrie peterson, the other woman i teach with, will be, and she's a great instructor.)

to answer your questions:

1) diva days is held out at camp iduhapi, which is a Y camp, so there aren't any official mtb trails. but it's a fun ride with short climbs, short descents, and some tight and twisty spots. we usually have a 10 minute sit down intro...a 20 minute on the grass ride...and then a 30 minute group ride. so pretty short.

2) we will have mtb bikes (there are some older rentals and some newer novara's) as well as helmets available for participants, but women are encouraged to bring their own bikes if they have them.

[Nooner]

oh shoot, venue changed this year...i have no idea what french regional park is like...sounds flat.