Rocky Mountain Dirt Series

Attention all female mountain bikers! Do you know how to pedal a mountain bike, shift the gears, and use the brakes of your bicycle? Do you want to learn new and exciting skills and be challenged at your skill level and age level?
Rocky Mountain Bicycles is currently running a Dirt Series. The camps are fun, engaging, and most of them consist of women only. That's right! Women coaches who are patient and helpful, as well as new friends to encourage you on the journey. No pressure from anyone!
The remaining dates for the amazing camps are as follows:
June 20-21 Sun Valley, ID
June 27-28 Whistler, BC
July 11-12 Bend, OR
July 18-19 Hood River, OR
July 25-26 Whistler, BC
August 8-9 N Vancouver, BC
August 22-23 Canmore, AB
August 29-30 Fernie, BC
September 12-13 Whistler, BC

Space is limited so hurry and sign up! Go to www.dirtseries.com for more information or to sign up. Pictures (though limited) from the 2 ladies at Ascent who went to Park City, UT will hopefully be posted soon!

Sponsored by: Rocky Mountain Bicycles, Sugoi, Fox Racing Shox, Dakine, Race Face, Luna Bar, Bell, Yakima, Kicking Horse Coffee (Canadian brand), crankbrothers, Maxxis, Sleeman Breweries, Mike's Hard Pink Lemonade, and the Whistler Bike Park

Winter Time - Time to Train

Most women tend to be fair weather riders. Fact or myth? This stereotype no longer has to be true. As a female, I understand cooler weather is less appealing to ride in. There are, however, solutions to this dilemma.
Ascent Cycling will be offering winter training classes again this winter season. Last year, women were highly out-numbered at these spin classes with usually somewhere between 1 to 3 women showing up. Let's change that this time around.
Why bother, you may ask. Well, for starters, winter spin classes are great for staying in shape. Especially with the holiday season looming before us, many people will be looking for a way to maintain or even lose weight. Spin classes are a convenient, fun way to stay in shape.
Don't worry about the pressure. Trust me on this one. It doesn't matter your riding style, your personal fitness level, or the kind of bike that you have. Even though the class has a general structure, each rider should feel free to go at his/her own pace. This is a push yourself class, where you go as hard as you can.
Bring your bike, a water bottle, and a towel. A trainer and a mat will be provided. Classes will be Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6:00 to 7:30 and Saturday mornings at 8:00. We are looking for the classes to start Saturday, November 1. The evening classes are $5 dollars for entry. Season passes are also available for purchase at the shop. Saturday morning classes are free. Call ahead to ensure your place in the spin classes as space is limited.

Saturday Morning Joy

8:30am. Road bikes line cars parked in the parking lot. Helmets and gloves are put on as people (men and women alike) prepare to take off. One or more of the Ascent Cycling Crew grabs his/her road bike and sends a quick "hi" to all of the people gathered. The group heads out right at 8:30, ready for the next hour or so ride. The group has a fun, conversational pace. This is a no-drop group ride, so a more experienced rider will hang with anyone who seems to be falling behind. The group is only as fast as it's slowest member. One of the best parts of the ride is to be able to watch the others in the group as well as yourself improve.
The ride heads from the Ascent Cycling parking lot over to Dublin. On Dublin, the group heads east. They cut off into suburbia, heading south. Winding back to Anna Lee, the group heads back south to Stetson Hills Blvd heading east. The group rides up to Peterson taking a right going south. Up and down across the hills of Peterson the group rides. They ride to Constitution and end up heading west. They go north up Tutt. Then comes the dreaded Tutt hill.
Tutt hill begins right after Tutt crosses Barnes Road. The steep incline requires you to maintain a fast cadence. If you allow your cadence to slow down, barely turning the pedals over, the hill becomes all but impossible to overcome, though it is still possible. Once you overcome this obstacle, you get a brief flat reprieve. Then comes a fast, fun descent. This is the best part of the entire ride. You can zoom down the hill as fast or as slowly as you want. After that amazing adrenaline rush, there is a small uphill and Presto! You are back at the shop with an incredible feeling of accomplishment and self-pride.
This ride is great for women who want to ride with a no-stress group. We hope to see you out there! If you have any questions, give us a call at (719) 597-8181.