PAWS & PEDALS

FOR YOU

What to expect for learning

*Minimum Terrain for Maximum Learning*
We use a variety of different terrains to break down and teach the various skills needed for rad riding, ranging from the road to roots. But the one thing they all have in common is that they have been selected to allow you to learn, in relative safety, growing your skills and confidence. Nobody will be put into terrain which is unsafe or beyond the scope of this clinic.

*Slow*
There’s no “just go fast and pull up” in these clinics! We will be working on skills at a slow pace. Going too fast on terrain you are unfamiliar with and feel out of control on, puts your lizard brain in control and prompts a fight, flight, or, more commonly in women, a freeze response. Once you have engaged your frozen-with-fear brain, you are no longer in learning mode. The various skills are taught at an appropriate speed for you to learn safely and effectively.

*Practice*
We will work on several different drills across the clinic. You may pick up some of the skills right away, but not others. Someone might get a skill straight away that you can’t, and vice versa. And that is 100% okay. Everyone learns in different ways and at different speeds. Almost all the skills you learn will need practice. A lot of practice. Mountain biking is a skill-based sport, and as such requires the classic ‘10,000 hours’ to master. After the clinic is done, it is a matter of putting time in the saddle while practicing correctly.

Clinic Essentials

All clinic participants are required to have the following essential items for the day:

A well-maintained, modern (no more than 7 years old) mountain bike, that is the right size for you, with a dropper seat post. Please email us if you don’t have a dropper post or if you don’t know what a dropper post is. This is a very important part of learning the proper skills.

A modern, correctly fitted bicycle helmet. If you need a helmet, just send us an email to tell us to bring one.

Flat pedals are strongly preferred, even for long-time clipless pedal users. If you don't have flat pedals, email us to borrow a pair of demo flat pedals.

Any food and snacks you want to keep you going throughout the clinic.

A water bottle to keep fluids and hydration up.

Multiple layers for varying weather conditions.

Full-finger riding gloves-if you need to borrow a pair, just send us an email!

Clinic Extras

While not essential, the following is highly recommended to help you get through the day more comfortably:

Consider wearing a mountain bike specific short or "baggies". These shorts offer more protection than just Lycra shorts and a chamois pad.

Shoes - if you have mountain bike-specific shoes, please bring your pedals as well. If you do not have mountain bike shoes, a pair of running shoes work.

Eyewear, such as sunglasses

Consider bringing basic bike tools if you have them - spare tube, tire levers and a multi-tool. If not, you can rely on coaches! As you take your skills to the trails you will want to purchase some basic bike tools (and learn how to use them).

FOR YOUR DOG

Our end goal is to get your dog ready to mountain bike safely with you on the trails. However every dog is different and while some dogs may be ready for off leash singletrack biking, others may still need to be on leash and working doulbetrack trails or even the parking lot/trailhead. We will go at the pace of you and your the dog and strive for progress over perfection.

What to bring for your dog:

• Collar with tag: Please make sure your dog has a standard collar on with a tag that has your contact information

• Ecollar: If your dog is usually on an ecollar, please bring it and make sure it is charged and ready to go

• Water: Molly will have water for the dogs but you are welcome to bring extra or a specific water bowl if your dog is picky