MORC Mtb Classes...

[Mateo]

I think it would be a great idea to have MORC put on some classes on mountain biking. I thought it would be cool to hear some opinions on this idea...

Maybe a multiple week program that covers all the basics? Or
"workshop" sessions each on a specific skill?

Maybe a small fee ($10 per session, $5 for MORC members or something) to help raise funds for MORC?

I know I would be there for all of them..

Thoughts?

[socrates]

Originally posted by Mateo
I think it would be a great idea to have MORC put on some classes on mountain biking. I thought it would be cool to hear some opinions on this idea...

Maybe a multiple week program that covers all the basics? Or
"workshop" sessions each on a specific skill?

Maybe a small fee ($10 per session, $5 for MORC members or something) to help raise funds for MORC?

I know I would be there for all of them..

Thoughts?

Shad actually held a few already

[Mateo]

trail rides with beginners or actual instruction on specific skills or what? Shame I missed them..

[manual63]

Look in the Beginner Ride and Group Ride sections.

I proposed this same thing to MORC, only in a post on this site, that I would help MORC make money by doing some teaching since I can't afford to donate money right now anyway.

I will write up a plan, similar to a business plan, on how I would organize it.

I used to teach out at Buck Hill and I did two types of classes. I did group classes, which were $20.00 per person and consisted of 3 or more riders. We would go over specific skills and parts of the trail. Then I had private lessons which were one on one and costed $40.00 an hour. These were much more in depth and centered more on skills for that particular rider.

If MORC does this, I think the prices should be a little less, but the program should be similar to the one I used to do.

I did teach more advanced skills last sunday, like jumping the table and doing the drop. So far, these have been free and until MORC would set something up, I am willing to go out and teach when I can for fun.

I am the one who suggested the Riding Tips section and John added it. There is a lot of good info there and anyone can ask questions or give advice.

[Mateo]

yeah, I've seen the group ride posts, but was thinking of something more along the lines of what you just described working up a plan for...

Riding with a group and working on keeping up is cool, but focusing on learning a specific skill or set of skills per session would be really cool...

[manual63]

Lets get some input from John......

John??????

[gopherhockey]

Sorry.. I'm normally quicker to reply but work actually has me busy these days. Bummer ;)

Anyway... yea, I could see this kind of thing being of some benefit. One might ask if we should charge for this or just make it a MORC function to help teach people.. I guess it depends on the extent to what is being put into it. If it is as well thought out as I believe Shad would do, I could see charging some small fee...

Once we have our annual meeting we usually follow it up by having our 2004 planning meeting. Now is a good time to be coming up with ideas like this.

It is great to hear ideas that come with people willing to implement them. I think now more than ever we need people to step up and help out and bring their new ideas with them.

Somewhat related - One thing I'd like to see someone do is some kind of bike maintenance skills lessons. I know I'd pay for that for sure! I keep trying to get Erik's to email me back on their Park Tools classes but nobody seems to be coordinating it. Would be fun to have some things like this during the winter months where we could all learn a little more about our bikes.

[Mateo]

I know Freewheel in Mpls has classes on bike maintenance and general knowledge etc... Maybe they would be better at responding to ya...

[nigel]

I teach basic maintenence and repair classes at my shop Sunday mornings (more starting up this fall) I also may be assisting with a cycling class at the U this fall as well.

I would be more than willing to teach and show folks anything I can help them with during the off-season or season. If we can find a neutral place that is drive friendly for everyone and agree on a weekly time and such Im game to teach. I can prolly use my shop, well I know i can, but it may be outta the way for some (St Paul, near the Ford Bridge) But if there is a spot (maybe even REI??) I will bring my tools and stands and such and help out :)


Just lemme know the where and when so I can schedule it in, I do my weekly classes 2 hours long. But we can work it out to be longer or shorter. I'm even game to have a few people come to my place if need be.

Maybe even next season I could show up at Leb or sumptin and setup a stand on a weekend day at hang for a day and do things there too. Whatever I can do to help lemme know.

Douglas

612-722-4846 home
612-702-2781 cell
651-690-1862 work
nigel7780@hotmail.com

[Mateo]

That is great, thanks Douglas!

I'm in on this, just let me know where and when.. St. Paul is actually cool for me, I'm just outside of downtown, but I can drive anywhere as well..

Anyone else interested in this?

[gopherhockey]

I'm definitely interested...

[Mateo]

I have a buddy that wants to come as well..

[pwpatton]

I'd love to come to classes on maintenance. I do all my own maintenance except suspension. I'm too afraid I'd destroy my fork. Could the classes include advanced maintenance sessions, oh, perhaps on suspension?

Or on troubleshooting. I was having problems with my freewheel early this year and it took a long time to figure out that that was the problem.

I was also having problems with my disc brake master cylinder. I was too chicken to rebuild it (I didn't want to take the chance on being out of commision for any length of time) so I just bought a full master cylinder cartidge and installed it. I have an extra master cylinder cartridge that could be used in the session to teach how to rebuild it.

I'm sure there are lots of parts people have lying around that could be used to demonstrate maintentance and rebuilds.

I'd love to go over the basics too. I get most of my info from tips and just going for it. I'm sure there are things I could do better. I'm sure there are some things I do wrong.

This is a fantastic idea.... Thanks Doug. St. Paul would work well for me too.

Phillip

[Mateo]

I would love to learn that stuff too, although I will need the basics as well.. Other than changing a flat tire or adjusting brakes etc...

Sounds like meeting in Saint Paul would work. Douglas said to figure out a good time for everyone... I'm open on pretty much any day or night... Preferably not the weekend, as I like to take day trips to ride in red wing and mankato etc...

What's good for you guys?

[pwpatton]

I could probably make most nights, except wednesday (trail work at harmon). Tues and Thurs are more difficult but if I could find a babysitter then no problem. All other days are no problem whatsoever.

So not to be diffecult... any day but wed.

Phillip

[gopherhockey]

Anything but Tuesday evenings.

[nigel]

Possibly Sundays at 4 or 5 for a start time?????? Then maybe a night ride after that???? I think Sundays will work best for me after looking at my schedule. I could also possibly do it Friday nights as well.....but Id love to maybe get a ride after too :)

Douglas

[gopherhockey]

Sunday would work for me.

[pwpatton]

As long as it doesn't conflict with a vikings game sunday would be ok for me. Unless ofcourse we are doing suspension, screw the game then.... :)

[Mateo]

Sunday sounds pretty good for everyone... Let's do this soon!

[smeulebroe]

Sundays work well for me.

[nigel]

SUNDAY 4:30 ?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

DOES THIS WORK FOR PEOPLE????

Begin classes this coming weekend if it does.....please "sign up" via email to me personally nigel7780@hotmail.com please put "MORC Class" in subject box

I will get a map together and put it up ASAP for folks with contact info and such......please let me know if Sundays at 4:30 works, then maybe we can all ride somewhere after as well :)

If this does work, I will plan on having them until spring hits, as long as people (at least 2) wish to come. As for suspension work and more in depth repairs I will ldo them one on one with those people, we can work that out as they come up.


Douglas

[Mateo]

Cool, I RSVP'd to ya...

[nicnac]

I'm in!
This is a cool opportunity!
Thanks :)

[manual63]

As far as riding classes go, this is what I plan to show MORC.

Two lesson styles with two levels of difficulty.

One on one lessons which would teach the following:

One instructor would go into detail about each section and work on the weaknesses of the particular rider being taught.

Beginner:

-Bike setup
-Climbing
-Cornering
-Rough sections like roots, rocks, and small logs
-Body postition

Intermediate to Advanced:

-Rolling logs
-Advanced bike control such as pulling up the front wheel and bunnyhops
-Drops
-Jumping
-Speed cornering
-Rock gardens
-Maintaining momentum

Then there would be group lessons:

Group lessons would hopefully consist of 2 or more instructors.

The areas covered would be similar to the one on one lessons, but not as detailed.

When I did instruction at Buck Hill in the past, I had special classes for Women. I would also suggest this because it is more comfortable for them when they arn't being judged by a bunch of overly aggressive male riders............:).

MORC can set pricing. I would be willing to do some training, but it would be nice to have other volunteers to help.

Please put in your opinions and I will see if MORC wants to set something like this up when I go to Buck on Saturday.

[Mateo]

Sounds cool... maybe a poll on pricing would help to see how much interest there is in this?

[zerpy]

This is cool, depending on the pricing I'd definately be interested....

[manual63]

No real word on riding classes yet, but the ideas brewing around are like this. We plan to possibly offer free classes to new MORC members, of course, starting next year possibly. This could give new riders incentive to join MORC. I would suggest giving them the private lessons to make it worth their while.

I still see a need for womens classes, beginner classes and other beginner group rides. I am not sure what will happen. Maybe I will start my own program again, like I did at Buck in the 90's, where I charge for classes and then I can offer free ones for new MORC members. That might be the best way to do it.

I will keep you all posted, but nothing will really get started until next spring.

[gopherhockey]

Shad - thanks for coming to the annual meeting and for bringing this up.