We are hoping that groups have begun to stabilize. As ride leaders, we should begin to get a sense of what level of riding will present a healthy challenge to our riders, both in terms of endurance and technical skills. If you observe any of your riders not fitting with the skill level of the majority of your group, please let us know.
Remember we are still working with all groups to build endurance through pedaling steadily on our bikes at a pace that is generally conversational. For the faster groups, the conversational pace can begin to be interspersed with harder efforts that temporarily limits response-ability to shorter phrases, but not for sustained periods of time. At this point, it is better to keep the riders pedaling at a slower pace and not have to stop as frequently than going faster but stopping more often.
OFF-LIMIT TRAILS:
- Limelight (Rush)
- Jacob’s Ladder
- Levitate / Zooropa / Vertigo
- Maple Hollow DH
- Any trail where riders in your group intentionally jump their bikes. This means if riders jump, that trail immediately becomes officially off limits to that group until the group gets permission from the head coaches.
TRAILS THAT ONLY PINK, BLACK, AND SILVER CAN RIDE IF THE RIDE LEADER APPROVES (until further notice):
- Upper Rush (which is the section from the Peakview Trailhead down to the upper intersection with Canyon Hollow by the s-curves and bridge, and includes the following named trails: Rush Flow, Through the Trees, and the upper part of Exit Stage Left)
- Middle Rush (which includes the section of Exit Stage Left from the intersection with Canyon Hollow by the s-curves and bridge down to where Rush crosses the lower part of Canyon Hollow)
- Lower Rush (which includes the section from where Rush crosses the lower part of Canyon Hollow down to the five-way intersection)
Groups with enough ride leaders are welcome to split into 2 groups.
PINK / BLACK / SILVER
Pink & Black will be combined today.
Start with an intentionally slow warm-up headed up the fire road or Sweet Caroline (parallel to the north side of the fire road). Talk with the riders about the importance of warming-up. Then focus on continuing to build base miles today. Let the kids help pick the trails. Keep the pace conversational for the most part, but occasionally intersperse this with harder 30 – 60 second pushes. Always return to a conversational pace. Help the riders get to know each other by asking questions. This is a good way to gauge the riders’ output level by how much they can talk back and forth with each other. Before any descents (especially for Silver), talk with groups about bike body separation, ready position, and covering brakes. The speed of the descent should always be a “Challenge by Choice” where the slowest rider is setting the pace; the group should stay together and not drop slower riders with the sweep while other riders charge ahead full speed.
RED / ORANGE
Start with an intentionally slow warm-up headed up the fire road or Sweet Caroline (parallel to the north side of the fire road). Talk with the riders about the importance of warming-up. Challenge your group to set a long-term goal to ride to the top of Canyon Hollow without stopping along the way. For some riders, this may already be within reach. For others, this will clearly be aspirational and may take many weeks to accomplish. Build group cohesiveness in setting this overarching goal. You’ll want to set intermediate goals like “get to the five-way without stopping” or “get to the bridge on Canyon Hollow without stopping.” Help the riders find ways to support each other in this challenge. The goal is a slow and steady pace, not a race to the top. Descend back down Canyon Hollow in time to return to the parking lot just before 8:00 a.m.
YELLOW / GREEN
Start with an intentionally slow 10-15 minute warm-up headed up the fire road or Sweet Caroline (parallel to the north side of the fire road). Talk with the riders about the importance of warming-up. Set a goal to get out to the Suspension Bridge (north on BST) without stopping. This will not be immediately achievable for many of the riders in these groups. Keep your group together and keep the pace moderate and conversational. The most difficult part of the ride is from the five-way up to where BST crosses the Corner Canyon Road (that’s by the restrooms on the road that comes up from the Orson Smith trailhead). Be encouraging and work to build group cohesiveness in achieving this goal over the coming weeks. Slow and steady. Remind riders to pre-shift before hills/obstacles. On the return ride, focus on descending skills (remind riders to cover their brakes, give adequate spacing, be in ready position, moderate / controlled speed, picking a line, etc.). Explain to riders they do not have to keep up with the person in front of them but that it’s better to go a speed they are comfortable with. Ride leaders, remember to lead for the back of the group and not the one rider directly behind you.
BLUE / PURPLE
Start with an intentionally slow 10-15 minute warm-up on the paved bike paths (e.g., Bunny Bradley and Porter Rockwell, etc.). Talk with the riders about the importance of warming-up. Then transition to working skills on the single-track trails below the equestrian center. Consider including some sustained stretches of the flat mostly-straight single-track that runs parallel to the paved Porter Rockwell Trail. The single-track section from 13200 S on the north end to the underpass at 1300 E Highland Dr. on the south end is an excellent option to help teach basic pacing and cadence skills. After that, explore the single-track trails grouped together by the pond just below the equestrian center. This will be a great time to practice shifting on the climbs and descents. Run the same loops repeatedly to build confidence, starting slow and gradually increasing speed (always keep the speeds low to moderate…we had a few riders crash in Little Valley on Monday).