Year: <span>2017</span>

Learning to ride

Last week, Welch Village General Manager Peter Zotalis hosted two test sessions for two of their lift-served gravity flow trails (total four to be built). I was there for both days, and got to ride with two experienced local guys, Clay Haglund (MAMB) and Jason Decoux (CROCT).

Grand Opening is July 29. They expect to be open one or two weekends prior. I’ll be teaching beginner-level downhill clinics (for experienced XC riders who are new to bike parks) there soon.  Watch for details on the Welch Village Facebook Page and on General Manager Peter Zotalis’ blog.

See the album of 20 photos:

Organizations People Photo album Trails

On my recent MTB trip to northern Minnesota last week, my main goal was to put some of my beginner-level bunny hop and manual skills to use on the trails at Detroit Mountain Recreation Area, Cuyuna Lake Mountain Bike Trail System, and the vast network of COGGS MTB trails in Duluth.

I also wanted to A) experiment with cornering, primarily on bigger bermed corners since I’ll be instructing riders on those at Welch Village’s new MTB park in a few weeks; and B) ride lots of drops and gnarly stuff to see what it’s like on my new full-suspension Kona Process 134 Supreme from Michael’s Cycles.

Here are several videos from the trip, with some commentary on each:

Facebook video Learning to ride

Michael Knoll & I rocked and rolled our full squish Kona Process bikes on some fun and challenging COGGS trails in Duluth last week.

We spent the most time in Piedmont’s NIMBY cluster of X & XX technical trails as well as Admiral Rockbar. Then it was over to Home Brew with a stop at the Kissing Booth before ending the day with a run down the Keene Creek trail — 1.5 miles/500 ft of elevation change — an amazing whoop-di-doo run.

Here are three videos of me following Michael on Admiral Rockbar, Kissing Booth, & Keene:

Facebook video Group rides Trails Video

https://www.instagram.com/p/BVNpFzDDWG7/

Instagram post Learning to ride Video

https://www.instagram.com/p/BUyDSfyjPld/

Instagram post Learning to ride Video

https://www.instagram.com/p/BUhWudrDXVY/

Instagram post Learning to ride Video

Learning to ride Video

We’re pleased to announce that Kat Sweet, professional coach, jumper, downhiller, and owner/founder of Sweetlines, will be our next featured MTBSN guest expert. She’ll be live in an MTBSN Business Hangouts Google video chat next Sunday, May 7, 9 pm CDT.

FEATURED TOPIC: How to Ride Drops (If there’s time, we’ll also consider questions about bunny hops, manuals, jumping, cornering, etc.)

REGISTER FREE HERE

QUESTIONS FOR KAT: Anyone will be able to submit questions for Kat during the live Q&A. If you can’t attend, submit your questions here.

Kat’s mission:

“… is to build confidence, create community, and promote stewardship through educational mountain biking programs that empower women and youth.”

LINKS FOR KAT SWEET & SWEETLINES:

REGISTER HERE FOR THE LIVE VIDEO CHAT ON MAY 7, 2017

Guest expert instructor Learning to ride

https://www.instagram.com/p/BTVSz00DtG6/?

Instagram post Learning to ride Video

https://www.instagram.com/p/BTEclMyDVD5/

Instagram post Video