See blog with pics: http://lunachixsd.blogspot.com/

The skies were grey and rain was falling on Saturday morning when we all met in
La Jolla for a coached mountain bike ride. We were all disappointed because,
unlike the East Coast or Pacific Northwest where rain doesn't deter you from
your appointment with the trail, in San Diego you don't ride when the trail is
wet.

Because of the quality of the soil, bike tires leave ruts that destroy the
trail. We wanted to ride, but knew we couldn't do so anywhere near the coast
that morning. Lisa suggested that we head east to Mission Trails, near where she
lives, since it wasn't raining there when she left. So we all caravanned to
Mission Trails.

Mission Trails is very beginner-friendly, with wide double track as well as
flowy singletrack. Before leaving the parking lot, we discussed equestrian
right-of-way, and what I call the mountain bike basics, or the beginner's
mantra: "Pedals level, weight back, arms relaxed, shoulders square."

Horses on the trail
May of the trails in San Diego are multi-use trails, and cyclists often come
upon hikers and horses. Because it's important to foster good relations between
cyclists and other trail users, no one should ever hesitate to practice good
trail etiquette. When coming upon horses from behind, I always call out: "Ride
leader! There are four of us mountain bikers. May we pass?"

There is always a ride leader, even if it's an informal ride; someone will
answer you. Calling out to the ride leader 1) lets the horse riders know you are
coming so you don't surprise them, 2) identifies you as a person, since you do
not look like a person to a horse, but a head on top of a bike, and 3) empowers
the horse riders and shows them respect.

Slowing down or even dismounting and calling out to a group of horse riders may
seem unusual, but it's important to remember that in addition to having the
right-of-way, equestrians often have a lot more money and power than the
mountain bikers. It's in our best interest to make sure we do all we can to
foster good relations and practice good trail etiquette at all times.

Mountain bike instruction
Pedals level: Unlike on a road bike where you often coast with one foot down,
you should get into the habit on a mountain bike of coasting with your pedals
level. Not only does it keep you from striking obstacles like rocks and roots
with your downward-extended pedal, it also facilitates you standing on your
pedals, giving you greater control and allowing you to shift your weight as
needed.

Weight back: This is mostly a reminder to shift your weight back on descents or
when going over obstacles. More accurately, you push the handlebar away from you
over obstacles, but weight back is the same idea. If you have your weight back,
you have less of a chance of going over the bars.

Arms relaxed: Too many riders find themselves in the middle of a ride employing
the "death grip" to the handlebar. You should be able to wiggle your fingers at
any moment on the bike. Having a vice-like grip on the handlebar will only
impair steering and bike handling. Your front wheel will often find the best
path through a rock bed or sand. If you apply a light grip with your weight off
the handlebar, you'll be more successful at navigating those tricky sections.

Shoulders square: If you keep your shoulders square to the trail and square to
where you want to go, you'll have an easier time of actually going in the
direction you want to go. With your head up, and your shoulders square to the
trail, you and your bike are centered and where you need to be.

We rode for a bit on the doubletrack, then practiced getting our front tire over
a stick - the beginnings of jumping with the bike. If you get your front tire
over the stick, and the rear tire will naturally follow. Those who mastered this
early were encouraged to use their clip pedals to lift the rear tire over the
stick as they went. If you do it right, you mimic the motion of a rabbit hopping
over a log. Once you can pop the front tire up and the back tire up, you put the
motions together. We didn't have time to work very long on bunnyhops, but
everyone did really well and will be able to practice on her own for next time.

We only practiced two difficult climbs and descents. Most of the coaching
involved helping the girls approach a hill in the right pedaling gear, knowing
when to shift, knowing when to stand up, and refining the balance required so
that you don't spin out before you reach the top. The descending skills involved
reading the terrain, remembering to stay relaxed, proper body position on the
bike, and the importance of not getting ahead of yourself (keeping your head
up).

The response to the ride and the coaching was really positive, and I know
everyone was proud of her efforts at the end of the ride. Everyone challenged
herself and seemed to come away feeling more confident. :)

-Laura Drexler