waiting with bated breath

wait no more! without further adieu, I'm thrilled to announce the Velo Girls Coaching Services 2011 clinic and camps schedule. registration has already opened for all events through June and many are close to selling out, so if you're interested in participating, I would encourage you to do so soon. a $20 early bird discount is applied to all registrations processed more than 2 weeks prior to a clinic. All clinics are co-ed with the exception of our two-day Girls Got Skills clinic which is for women + girls only.

Just click on the date and you'll be whisked away to our fancy-dancy registration page for that specific clinic session:

Bike Skills 101 – Fundamental Bike Handling Skills – sponsored by BicycleLawyer.com
Feb 12th, March 20th, May 1st, June 18th, July 24th, Sept 10th

This 4-hour co-ed 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 – Fundamental Mountain Bike Skills – March 26th

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 – Fundamental Cyclocross Skills + Tactics – TBA summer 2011
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 Skills sponsored by Teresa Callen of Image Arts Salon
March 20th, May 1st, June 18th, July 24th, Sept 10th
What goes up must come down, right? In this 4-hour co-ed 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 – Pacelines + Group Riding Skills – April 10th, June 4th
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 7th
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.


Alpine Altitude Adventure (aka Death Ride Training Camp) – June 24th – 26th
Join us for a fun, co-ed training weekend in Markleeville, CA, home of the Death Ride. This co-ed weekend camp is designed to help prepare participants for the rigors of endurance riding at high altitude. Based in Markleeville, CA, this camp is appropriate for Death Ride participants and others who wish to gain high altitude experience. Daily mileage options range from 25 - 75 miles. Registration fee includes camping (Friday + Saturday), SAG on rides, cycling nutrition, Saturday breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Sunday breakfast, and lots of fun with cool folks. Thursday and Sunday night camping options available for a small fee. You are responsible for transportation to/from Markleeville, however participants will be encouraged to carpool.


Girls Got Skills sponsored by Jan Medina Real Estate – June 11th + 12th

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). Since 2003, women from all over the US and Canada have participated in this clinic. You’ll walk away from this weekend with a renewed love for the bike and the cycling community!