Monday, December 29, 2008

Velo Girls Announces 2009 Clinic Offerings for Men and Women!

2008 was a banner year for Velo Girls Coaching Services. We introduced a new series of clinics, the 4-hour Bike Skills modules, and sold out almost every single session. The program was a HUGE success. Altogether, we taught 27 clinics with more than 500 participants -- and 99.999% of you felt our clinics met or exceeded your expectations!

I'm thrilled to be able to announce our 2009 clinics. I hope you'll join us in the coming year, tell a friend or two, and share the love with others in the cycling community.

On-line registration is open now, so hop on over to SportsBaseOnline.com and check out all our winter & spring offerings. As you know, almost all of our clinics sold out in 2008, so I would encourage you to register early and register often!


Girls Got Skills -- June 13th & 14th

This is our corner-stone clinic, and includes 16 hours of "you" time in the company of other cycling women. This clinic is a must-do for recreational cyclists and racers alike! We cover individual bike handling skills, group riding skills, climbing and descending, and training principles (including a time trial to determine heart rate training zones). You'll walk away from this weekend with a renewed love for the bike and the cycling community!


Bike Skills 101 - Individual Bike Handling -- March 14th, April 11th, June 6th
sponsored by BicycleLawyer.com

This 4-hour clinic is the foundation of everything else you'll learn on the bike. This is the clinic where we teach the old dogs new tricks and the newbies the fundamentals. You'll learn about balance and weight distribution and how that affects your ability to ride your bike safely and confidently. We'll learn skills like riding with no hands, emergency stops, and how to look behind you while holding your line, how to steer, and counter-steer. After just four hours, we guarantee you'll be a better bike handler and have much more fun on the bike.


Bike Skills 102 - Mountain Bike Skills -- March 21st, May 9th

It's time for a little dirty fun! We'll teach you the basics (and not-so-basics) of balance, weight distribution, and how to use the terrain to your advantage. Learn to rock, roll, hop, and jump. Master the art of steep climbs. Learn to descend with confidence and skill. After just four hours, we guarantee you'll be a better bike handler and have much more fun on the bike.


Bike Skills 103 - Cyclocross Skills -- coming in July!

Have you been wondering what's all the buzz about cyclocross? It's a fun but challenging sport that's beginner-friendly and appropriate for the entire family. And best of all, it's happening at a park near you! In this four-hour clinic, you'll learn all the skills needed to get started in this incredible sport, including mounts, dismounts, and how to shoulder and carry your bike. We'll also share information about bikes & equipment, the local cyclocross racing scene, and how to train for a successful season. We'll finish off the day with a simulated race and de-brief. You'll
need a mountain bike or a cyclocross bike for this clinic.


Bike Skills 201 - Climbing & Descending -- March 21st, April 26th, May 24th

What goes up must come down, right? In this 4-hour clinic, we'll teach you how to climb like a pro - seated climbs, standing climbs, short climbs, steep climbs, extended climbs. And then, we'll teach you how to come back down again, focusing on a fast straight descent, and then a technical switchbacky descent. Pre-requisite: Bike Skills 101 or equivalent experience.


Bike Skills 301 - Group Riding -- May 9th

Wheelsucking is an art! Whether you're a racer or a recreational rider, group riding skills will help you ride longer, faster, and farther. We'll learn draft theory and basic pacelines, beginning with partner work and progressing to more complex group riding skills and introductory racing techniques. Pre-requisite: Bike Skills 101 or equivalent experience.


Bike Skills 302 - Racing Skills & Tactics -- May 23rd
This four-hour clinic will teach you all the individual bike-handling and group riding skills you'll need to race your first (or your 10th) criterium or road race. In addition to skills & drills, you'll receive expert coaching on race preparation and logistics, and an introduction to tactics. We'll finish the day with a training race followed by a de-brief. Pre-requisite: Bike Skills 101 or equivalent experience.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Last Minute Gift Ideas from Velo Girls

Are you looking for that perfect & unique gift for the cyclist in your life? Look no further! We've put together some innovative coaching packages that any cyclist would love. If you don't see what you're looking for, just ask. We provide personal shopping as well as other consulting services too!

In addition, we've still got lots of 2008 Velo Girls clothing in stock in the shop, or you could order 2009 clothing. You can even purchase a Velo Girls club membership or register for one of our 2009 clinics online!




Professional Bike Fit -- $150
($175 value)


Ready to Roll
Package #1
-- $450
Professional Bike Fit & Technique Analysis on Computrainer
Two 2-hour on-the-bike coaching sessions
($555 value)


Ready to Roll Package #2
-- $850
Professional Bike Fit & Technique Analysis on Computrainer
HR Testing to Establish Training Zones
One, 2-Hour on-the-bike Coaching Session
8 Week Personalized Training Plan
($1,015 value)


Ready to Roll Package #3
-- $755
Professional Bike Fit & Technique Analysis on Computrainer
Heart Rate Testing to Establish Training Zones
Two, 2-Hour on-the-bike Coaching Sessions
4-Week Personalized Training Plan
($955 value)


Keep it Rolling Package
-- $175
One-on-one, private, personalized bike maintenance class
Tri-Flow gift pack
($225 value)

Friday, December 19, 2008

Velo Girls Named USA Cycling Club of the Year!

I always love to share good news and today I received some of the best. USA Cycling named Velo Girls the 2008 Women's Club of the Year. This honor recognizes us for our contributions to the cycling community as a whole, and especially for our work with women.

I want to thank everyone who has helped us achieve this honor -- our members, coaches, sponsors, friends, and fans. You all play an important role in helping us bring the best darn cycling to the women (and men) of Northern California and beyond.

And on that happy note, I want to wish you all the greatest success in 2009!