We've had two Wednesday dirt rides and the trails are riding great this season! Sure, it could be a little warmer, but nobody has overheated yet.
Now that it's June things are getting busy, including training sessions.
On Friday evening some people who are coaching during the Mountain Bike for Women Festival attended a coaches' training session. No matter how much I ride or provide pointers to others, I can always learn more at a refresher like this one led by Sofia Patroni. Sometimes it's just a different way of thinking about things: I've always said "pedals level," whereas Sofia describes it as "equally-weighted pedals." It's a subtle difference but made me think about my foot position and gave me something to play with on my next ride.
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| Equally-weighted pedals! |
If you have never attended a skills clinic or if it has been a few years, there is still time to sign up for the festival. You will learn something new and meet some awesome women! Current members of Alaska Dirt Divas will receive a discount on the entry fee and you'll see a few of us coaching. Go to the Meetup event for the discount code.
On Saturday, June 1, some Divas attended a First Aid and CPR clinic presented by paramedic Sydney Boyd. We learned how to assess a scene and determine first steps for caring for a person. We got hands-on practice doing CPR, using an AED (automated external defibrillator), and splinting a possible break. Plus, Sydney had some first aid swag we could take home: I've already stocked my hydration pack with those and some other supplies I already had. I feel much more prepared in case I come across someone in distress.
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| Sydney demonstrating the malleable properties of the SAM (structural aluminum malleable) splint. It's also reusable! |
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| There will be no yoga mat on the trail! |
I now feel more ready for the season, as I'm sure the others in attendance did. If we don't need to use these skills on any Diva rides, that's fine. But if something happens, a few more of us know what to do.
