Do you want to get the most out of your upcoming clinic?! You may think I am going to ask you to start training right now, get in shape and get "ready" for the clinic. That isn't what I think will help you the most though. In fact, you may end up reinforcing habits that we will need to break during the clinic. The one thing you can do for you, is bring a newer bike to the clinic. Time and time again, my clients that show up on bikes that are no more than 5 years old, have success. Those that show up on bikes more than 5 years old truly have a more difficult time executing the skills we teach. I can be coaching a very experienced, very fit rider that is on an older bike and she will struggle the whole session. I can have a brand new rider that isn't necessarily fit, that is on a newer bike and she can execute all of the skills we are teaching because her bike is working with her. Even an older frame with upgraded parts doesn't necessarily do the job. Older frames have geometry that isn't conducive to lowering your center of gravity, riding up and down steeper obstacles and allowing for wider tires. There are other factors that make up the differences between older and newer bikes, if you'd like to explore them, check out this video I made last year. I know you love your old bike and feel bonded to it. I just promise that a newer bike will make ALL the difference in what you are able to learn during a clinic. Newer bikes are truly game changers.
If you aren't ready to make the investment on a new bike, which I completely understand, then I highly recommend renting a newer bike. There are multiple bikes shops in Park City, Salt Lake City and the surrounding areas that rent bikes. I am happy to send you a list of bike shops I recommend. I also have some very nice Jamis bikes available to demo. My coaches and I will transport your Jamis Demo bike to and from the clinic for you. Sometimes I have clinic participants say they don't want to learn on a newer bike since they aren't buying one any time soon. I still highly recommend they rent so they can get the most out of the clinic. You are already investing time for a clinic, you can get the most out of it by learning on a newer bike. After you understand the skills, you will be able to transfer them to your personal bike.
I want you to get the most out of your time with me and my coaches and this is the first and biggest step you can take!
Women in the Mountains coaches on their 2020 Jamis Bikes