Public clinic at Valmont Bike Park this Saturday

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Ripping corners at Valmont Bike Park.

Let’s rock the kung fu this Saturday, March 24, 9 a.m. to noon.

Class is limited to six riders. The forecast calls for sunny with a high of 78!

We’ll cover whatever the group wants and is ready for, but we will start with the basics and work our way up. This way everyone stays safe, and they build real, usable skills. Expect to cover:

• Position
• Braking
• Cornering
• Riding up and down things
• Pumping terrain

Once you get a feel for these fundamentals, it’s a series of simple steps to more advanced stuff like:

• Dropping
• Jumping
• Pumping turns
• Flat-out ripping!

>> Learn more and sign up >>

Thanks for signing up for an LLB skills clinic at Valmont Bike Park!

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Hey!

Thanks for signing up for a Lee Likes Bikes skills clinic at Valmont Bike Park.

Some notes:

Sign this electronic waiver >>>. Riders under 18 should have their waivers signed by adult guardians.

Meeting place: Meet in the dirt lot off Valmont Rd., the one by the dog park. Look for the shade structure.

Arrive early and be ready to go at the beginning of the session.

Bring your normal bike and riding gear. Helmet and gloves are mandatory. Knee and elbow pads are not a bad idea. Expect to lower your seat for part of our session.

Your bike should be in good working order. If you need any equipment, riding gear or service, check out The Fix Bike Ship just east of Valmont Bike Park on Valmont Rd. They carry most stuff you’ll need, and they specialize in “bike park” items like flat pedals, flat-pedal shoes, short stems, dropper seatposts, pads, etc. Good guys. Tell ’em I sent ya! www.thefixbikes.com Map: http://goo.gl/maps/Jc94L

Bring enough food and fluid to keep you sharp for our entire session. You’ll be doing a lot of mental and physical work.

As fun as mountain biking is now, it’s about to get way funner!

— Lee

New book! Teaching Mountain Bike Skills

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Hey all, check out the latest addition to the library of braaap:

TEACHING MOUNTAIN BIKE SKILLS: The Skills Training Manual for NICA Coaches

By Lee McCormack, with the National Interscholastic Cycling Association

Safely and methodically teach your athletes (and yourself) how to ride all terrain with greater safety and confidence.

Teaching Mountain Bike Skills publishes the methods Lee has developed while teaching thousands of riders and hundreds of coaches how to ride better — and teach others how to ride better. This book is part of the curriculum Lee has created for NICA coaches. While most coaches refuse to publish their methods, Lee knows this is a great way to spread the love and get more people stoked on our awesome sport.

The essential core skills of mountain biking are explained in never-before-seen depth. All concepts are clearly explained and shown, and useful drills and troubleshooting cues are detailed. Practicing the kung fu in this book is like taking a clinic with Lee, at fraction of the price.

Coaches and their athletes will improve their skills — and they will learn a path to mastery that lets them improve for their rest of their riding lives.

>> Learn more and order your signed copy!

Intro BMX class for kids?

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Hi Lee,

I live in Santa Fe and we are thinking about having a clinic/intro for kids to BMX and pump track riding. What suggestions do you have for that we should cover?

Steve

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Austin, TX and the Specialized Camber Comp 29

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Last weekend, as part of coach training for the Texas high school mountain bike league, I got to ride new trails on a new bike. This is a quick-hit review of the trails and the bike, plus riding a 29er and other stuff.

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Coaching coaches in Texas this weekend

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Last weekend’s SoCal and NorCal high school coach coaching sessions were exhausting and excellent. I worked with 55 coaches, many of whom have 20, 50 or even more kids in their programs.


“This, class, is how one rips — and how one teaches others to rip.” Photo from NorCal director Vanessa Hauswald.

This weekend I’m off to Austin, TX to teach the first wave of Texas high school mountain bike coaches.

High school mountain biking coast-to-coast by 2020 …

Check out the current NICA leagues

Coaching coaches in California

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Big adventure this weekend:

• Coaching SoCal high school mountain bike league coaches in Riverside on Saturday.
• Coaching NorCal high school mountain bike league coaches in Davis on Sunday.

It feels strange traveling with just a helmet, flat pedals and my laptop. I look forward to borrowing bikes and spreading the braaap!

Next weekend: Coaching Texas high school mountain bike league coaches near Austin.

We are saving the world — one rider at a time.

Public skills clinics at Valmont Bike park in October

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Yes, you can bring your cross bike! You’ll be amazed at what you can do with drop bars and skinny tires. Just let me know, and I’ll bring mine. Skills are skills!

Classes are limited to six riders each. Cost is $90 and includes the opportunity to purchase the book Mastering Mountain Bike Skills or Pro BMX Skills for a discounted $20.

• Saturday, Oct. 8, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. OVER WITH
• Saturday, Oct. 29, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. BOOKED

We will cover the core skills, then we’ll focus on whatever the group wants (and is ready for). Expect to dial in position, braking, cornering and pumping. If all goes well, we’ll do some dropping and jumping too.

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Public skills clinics at Valmont Bike park in September

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Spots are available for the Sept. 14 and 24 clinics. I guarantee this will blow your mind in a very cool way. Come out and rip it!

THE MAGIC LIVES ON! We have been approved for four public clinics at Valmont Bike Park in September. This is the A-1, lowest-cost way to have more fun on your bike.

Classes are limited to six riders each. Cost is $90 and includes the opportunity to purchase the book Mastering Mountain Bike Skills or Pro BMX Skills for a discounted $20.

• Wednesday, Sept. 7, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. RAINED OUT
• Wednesday, Sept. 14, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. RAINED OUT
• Sunday, Sept. 18, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. SOLD OUT
• Saturday, Sept. 24, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. SOLD OUT

We will cover the core skills, then we’ll focus on whatever the group wants (and is ready for). Expect to dial in position, braking, cornering and pumping. If all goes well, we’ll do some dropping and jumping too.

Our sessions have had an awesome vibe. Six random riders united in a grand adventure! Sign up today.

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Rocking the skills in Fruita

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Hey Lee,

I just got back from a weekend in Fruita. I tried to use all the tricks and tips you gave us at the public skills clinic at Valmont Bike Park. I had been to Valmont a couple of times after our clinic. Working the pump track, etc.

Let me tell you, all of that came in so handy in Fruita. I had been there a couple times before, but this time, I really rode it hard. We did 22 miles of singletrack both at Bookcliffs and Loma. My quads and ass are still hurting from being in attack position all day. I completely ate up Kessel Run and Rustlers Loop. Pumping like a mad man. Attacking the corners with a bike lean. Always in attack position. Popping, dropping, and ripping it all day. It was a complete blast.

Thanks much. I look forward to continuing working on my skills.

Thanks
Stephen

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Public skills clinics at Valmont Bike park in August

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I’m offering six public clinics at Valmont Bike Park in August. This is an awesome, cost effective way to dial in your skills.

Classes are limited to six riders each. Cost is $90 and includes the opportunity to purchase the book Mastering Mountain Bike Skills or Pro BMX Skills for a discounted $20.

We will cover the core skills, then we’ll focus on whatever the group wants (and is ready for). Expect to dial in position, braking, cornering and pumping. If all goes well, we’ll do some dropping and jumping too.

Valmont is an amazing place to ride and learn. Come on out. Let’s rip it!

ALL CLASSES ARE SOLD OUT.

I’ll post when September dates are set. Email me to get on the mailing list.

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Learn to rip at Valmont Bike Park in July

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UPDATE JULY 13: All spots for the July 27 and 30 clinics are taken. I’m working on scheduling more clinics. Braaap!

It’s time to get your pump and jump on!

I’m holding two public skills clinics at Valmont Bike Park, July 27 and 30. Classes are limited to six riders each. Cost is $100 and includes your choice of Mastering Mountain Bike Skills 2nd Edition or Pro BMX Skills.

We will cover the core skills, but we’ll focus on pumping … and, if you’re ready, jumping. Pumping is the key to truly ripping trail. Once you learn to work the terrain — ride the wave — mountain biking is way safer, smoother and radder.

Valmont is an amazing place to ride and learn. Come on out. Let’s rip it!

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