classes/clinics

[tinkerbell]

Hey--I am a brand new mountain biker, well really a brand new mountain biker wannabe, seeing as I don't own a mountain bike (yet!!) and have never been mountain biking ;) I ride the roads and enjoy doing that, but am looking to see what riding the trails is like too!! So, my question is...once I get a bike (or find someone who will let me borrow one) then I'd like to take a clinic/class that might show me some of the techniques/skills needed to mountain bike safely and correctly. I've checked out my LBS websites and haven't had any luck locating such classes--anybody with any ideas? Help Please!!!

[gopherhockey]

We are planning to do some group rides this year. They probably won't be quite the clinic type that you seem to be looking for, but it should be a great way to learn the trails and watch others and how they ride - ask questions etc. We'll be posting dates & times for these rides soon.

You can definitely find some good advice here in the forums for a lot of things.. like what kind of bike to get, which local shops have good service (or bad) etc.

As for actual clinics, I'm not real sure on that one. Anyone know if there are these types of things in the area? I suppose we could consider having one of the group rides be more beginner level with a little more question & answer and not as much hammering down the trail.

I'd check REI as well - they are known for having some good classes. I don't see any bike specific currently, but you may want to email them directly and ask as well. Here is a link to one of their schedules:

Bloomington:

http://community.rei.com/bin/jobsevents/storeevents.cgi?topic=Bloomington&subject=Bloomington+Store+Clinics+and+Events&id=0901&boardtype=events

Roseville:

http://community.rei.com/bin/jobsevents/storeevents.cgi?topic=Roseville&subject=Roseville+Store+Clinics+and+Events&id=0901&boardtype=events

[BrightYellow]

I've heard some good stuff about the women's mountain biking group at Penn cycle. There are a ton of members and they'll help you learn to ride or race...

http://penncycle.com/site/page.cfm?PageID=264

[martini]

in the Kenwood 'hood. I know there used to be regular girls only rides that were aimed at beginners and intermediates. They may still be having these rides. I think they were on Mondays or something like that.

OR you could try to find a slightly more experienced riding buddy and just ghost them as much as you can, learning as you ride. That's kinda how I learned to do this oh-so-long-ago.

m