Somehow I got roped into giving a Ladies skills clinic/group ride on sunday. Okay I admit, I volunteered. I am a sucker for a group ride. Especially if I can share some of my hard earned knowledge (contrary to popular belief, falling is not a lekker way to learn.)
I have this friend who I met on the MTB when we were 15/16years old. She's quite a decent rider, and can handle herself in singletrack.
So over a couple of coffees the other night we decided it was time to get the ladies ride idea rolling again.
So she rounded up a few up a few of her friends who recently started riding, and I organised Werner to help with the girls. Werner is great for this type of thing and because he can explain arbitrary concepts like looking at the gaps instead of the obstacle and letting go of brakes in a corner.
The ride itself was fun, with lots of stops, laughs, me almost falling in front of all the girls, and between me and Werner and Marika's dad we rotated riding behind the girls in the singletracks and on the contour roads to give them feedback and tips.
All in all it was hugely rewarding seeing the improvements in the girls riding by the end of our ride, and them wanting to go back and ride some more after I had to leave warmed my heart immensely. I love riding, I love riding in the mountains, and I love it even more if I can share it with someone else.
I can't wait to go riding with the girls again. I scheme next time we'll go ride G-spot in Paradyskloof so that they can get used to moving the bike underneath them. Should be fun.
In the ages since I last wrote I've taken a hard tumble (video on facebook somewhere.) This must be one of the hardest crashes I've had in long while. Pointless crash as well as I was showing off.
We also went to Robertson for the race at the Wacky Wine Festival, this was a bit of a fail, as I was slightly hungover and the legs just weren't there for the first 30k's. Epic fail. But the route is awesome with legit singletrack and a steep drop that had me whooping like a surfer going into the barrel of a wave. The parties was also decent, but next year I'll take more responsible people along, as apparently I don't need more than a glass of Arabella Red to invoke the "what race" clause. Next year I'll dominate that course like a fat kid on a cupcake.
I'm also rebuilding my old Giant XTC as a single speed toy. Almost done, just need to sort the BB spacing and the chain tension out. So far it hasn't cost me anything and the challenge is to build a finished bike mahala. It will mainly be used for commuting into the city for work. Might be taken into the mountains for a muddy play bike, but I'm scared to many off road shenanigans will crack the frame (again,) I'm not too sure how long the welds will hold. Well, nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Lastly I've been spending some time aboard the jump bike. Even with a distinct lack of jumps in the Century City area this bike is a sure-fire way of bringing a smile to my face. I really need tide it more. I think I'll keep it on the back of the bakkie for the long weekend, so that I can haul it out whenever the urge to do something silly arrives. Fun times. Even more so when someone has a camera handy.
So ja, all in all I'm at a good place to be in my life right now. happy trails everyone.
Peace
Phlip
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