Beer, Bikes, and Snow

This post is sort of long...well, longer than I'd normally post - but it's two races packed into one post! And I apologize for the lack of photos. I was too busy riding my bikes. So I see on Eastern States Cup website that there are two races at Blue Mountain on the same day.  Both Enduro and Downhill.  Which do I do?? The Enduro was 5 stages, of which 4 had lift-service transfers.  And, if I registered for the Downhill, I'd get a lift ticket for Saturday (not included with the Enduro registration).  How can you argue that deal? I planned on pre-riding Saturday, bringing both my Juliana for the Enduro and the Fury for the Downhill.  I got my registration set away and headed out for the first stage of the Enduro.  My plan was to ride each Stage, go back and re-ride ones I wanted practice.  Then get on the DH bike. I waited patiently in the lift line.  I guess you can say I'm spoiled with the speed and capacity of the gondola at Mountain ...

I first wrote about my involvement as a coach with the Princeton Progressions earlier in the season.  Myself along with three other coaches worked with approximately 25 student athletes ranging from 6th grade to 12th grade.  We had vast riding abilities among those student athletes - as well as very different learning styles and personalities. I dedicated three to four days a week working with these student athletes.  Mid-week practices focused on skills while weekends were spent out on the trails to build confidence and team bonding. As the season progressed, I felt like I got to know each one of our student athletes as if they were my own.  I knew when they were frustrated or ready for more challenges.  I learned what motivated them and what limits (mentally and physically) they each had.  I watched each student athlete achieve goals and strive for new ones. It’s hard to believe that New Jersey’s first season of ...

When I first started mountain biking, I had no instruction or guidance other than my friends.  I was fortunate enough to find a group of ladies who did provide encouragement and laughs.  It wasn’t until a few years later that I found resources and clinics to help build my skills and confidence. I noticed that while more skills clinics were popping up, not many were specific to women.  I’ve attended a few clinics and there is something different about learning with a group of women taught by a female coach.  I often left these clinics feeling empowered and excited to ride.  This was my driving motivation to step up and coach women specific clinics myself. Last year I joined the Cognition Coaching team , with one of my goals to get more women on bikes.  I completed my Level I and II IMBA skills coaching certification last summer and I was ready to put it to use.  Earlier this spring Cognition Coaching was able to offer three women’s mounta...

I tried my first downhill race last year.  Due to my schedule and the location of downhill races, it was my only race. This year I was watching the schedule for Mountain Creek and they announced that the US Open of Mountain Biking would return.  I registered. I watched social media while the crew was busy prepping a new course for the race.  I was lucky to have a “snow day” the Friday of race weekend and planned on pre-riding the course. I know this is shocking but it rained Thursday night and into Friday morning.  As we arrived at Creek, the sun was trying to peek through.  We did a few fun runs until our slotted time opened to pre-ride.   I was immediately spooked by the start gate and ramp.  It was a steep drop and I wanted to roll into it to have my pedals level.  The course started with a jump and go-around.  I went around it.  As we crossed over the ski trail, it was a huge mud pit before crossing slick rock...