#TKMBD - Bike Skills Rodeo!

Gerhard Gross photo

When I first saw IMBA's posts about the October 5 Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day I knew right away I wanted to do something about it. Kids on bikes are just the best, so I recruited Coach Richard from San Diego Mountain Bike Skills and voila! We had a rodeo.

Our event had about six different skills for the kids to practice, including "Feedzone Simulation," "Granny Gear Racing," "Skinnies Riding," "Paper Boy Toss," and a couple stations to test their handling around cones and hula hoops. With a great sunny afternoon in Balboa park our excitement was only rivalled by the kids'.

We had tremendous support from the San Diego chapter (SDMBA) of the International Mountain Biking Association with number plates and Clif Z-Bars to hand out to our little riders. They also helped us get the word out, not to mention all the amazing trail/rider advocacy they do every day. Big thank you to them! Proud to be a member.

Best of all, we had a super crop of young riders -- 15!! -- and some really enthusiastic parents who helped make the event run smoothly. My favourite part of the afternoon was watching little Abby, who started the event on her strider bike, graduate to her "big girl bike" WITHOUT training wheels. What a big day!

Thanks to all our sponsors, and most importantly thanks to the kids, moms and dads for coming out to the event. We had a TON of fun, and we can't wait for Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day, 2014.

Read more about our event here and check out some great photos, shot by my wonderful husband Gerhard, here.

Park City: Mountain Biking Oasis and IMBA Gold

Park City: IMBA GOLD

Earlier this summer I was invited to participate in a media tour of Park City, Utah. Apparently they have some mountain biking? Apparently no one talks about it?

That is until now at least. The riding there is next-level and honestly, I don't think I've stopped talking about it since I got back. Soulful singletrack in a town that just loves all things cycling. Add a touch of old-timey history, some free community events, a happenin' nightlife and of course Park Citizens themselves and you have an amazing recipe for a good time. To get started booking your adventure, I'd start with White Pine Touring and Park City Lodging. (Tell them I sent you!)

Need more convincing? IMBA (the International Mountain Biking Association) beat me to my observations and designated Park City its first and only gold-ranked ride centre in the world. A little birdie told me that there is soon to be a Canadian ride centre added to the list so let's keep our eyes and ears peeled for that good news!

Meanwhile, hope you'll take a moment to check out my story on RidingFeelsGood.com Thanks to everyone who has already "liked" and shared it -- much appreciated!

http://www.ridingfeelsgood.com/the-worlds-first-gold%C2%AD%E2%80%90level-imba-ride-centre-park-city-utah/

You Belong With Us.

Haha, best ad ever. Last time I had on a bridesmaid dress I had similar tan lines and 9 stitches in my shin (for a tea-length frock ...)

These are my people!

Found it on the report IMBA and Sacred Rides put together on women in mountain biking. Check it out: http://www.sacredrides.com/womenmtb/

PS: WANT! WANT WANT WANT! http://sacredrides.com/tours/mexico/yogamtb/