The Joys of Teaching

“A little to the right”, “now less front brake”, “more weight on the left leg”, “DON’T HIT THAT CONE”, “ah just run it over”. GOOD!

There’s a lot of chatter out there about individual results and experiences….it’s great! But since, I have none I want to make a comment about teaching. It’s really fun.

The Portland Bicycle Studio and Upper Echelon have been hosting some cross clinics recently at Alpenrose Dairy. We start off talking about racing, and riding. We cover barriers, off camber turns, shouldering a bike, etc. etc. Every time I go the guys and I rant about how much fun it is. Honestly, it’s awesome. So many people at various levels picking up cross is not only fun to watch but fun to be part of.

Young and old(er) alike are learning together how to dismount and “OUCH” remount. How to handle tough off camber, rain soaked corners and I’m learning right along side them too.

Things you take for granted become valuable information.  The “beginners” ultimately teach you a few things too. I’ve always had a stutter step and in a 2 hour session I saw guys and gals who have never raced, let alone remounted, turn into text book remounters. Amazing.

Another thing, Tire pressure! Maybe it’s the geek in me but I love this one. I’ve always run somewhere around 45psi and considered less or more somewhat of a risky move. However throw 30 people down a hill at speed and various weights and you soon SEE the carnage of too little or too much. A few headfirst skidders down the grassy slope and you not only get a big smile and some bloody knee’s, but people who want to know why. So we try things and find out what works. No guessing or opinion. Try this. Nope. Try This. Nope. Try This. YEP! and Viola you have a custom solution for that person and a person who sees the power of little things.

The other cool thing is that most people set their bike up one way and consider it set in stone. NOT TRUE. It’s fun to help people experiment with and learn about their bikes. Lower the pressure. Adjust that saddle that’s always been bothering you. It’s ok.

I don’t know where I’m going with all this and perhaps I’m just jacked up on Gay Bounce music from New Orleans at the moment but teaching feels good. Go do it. And to all those that have attended the class so far….WOW. Keep it up. I can’t believe how good you are getting and how fearlessly you’re tackling these classes. “Attack Attack Attack!”