Weekends of riding!

The past three weekends have simply been amazing!!! It all started out with the Whiteface Women's Only DH Clinic w/Tara Llanes, then I moved on to Pedrosfestival in Hancock, MA where I did the Team LUNA Chix thing and met up with the Boston TLC Group. I personally had a wonderful time camping with some friends, riding a hot new bike (Sinister Mustang XC hardtail) and helping out with the LUNA Chix Table at the event. The highlight of the weekend for me was assisting Alison Dunlap with her skills clinics (one was women's only and the other co-ed) and leading her post-clinic rides. It was an amazing feeling to be the leader of about 35 women through the twisting singletrack. Finally this weekend was Monkeyfest...a good time for the 4th (or 5th) year running now. Basically a huge group of riders, and friends from Ridemonkey.com get together, rent a big place, drink lots of beer and ride the Kingdom Trails of East Burke, VT. This year were had just over 30 of us gathering for our weekend of antics. It's always a good time and there is always an abundance of good beer, good food, excellent singletrack and good times. Enjoy some shots from our weekend of fun!
The hubby & I trying to flip each other off the teeter:


Isabelle & I post-ride:


The hubby showing off ;)


A few riding shots:

The Most Amazing Weekend!!!

I just had the most amazing weekend of DHing!!! It all began in January when some women questioned whether there were any Women's DH clinic in the Northeast. After some searching, I found nothing and contacted DownhillMike at Whiteface Mountain to see if he'd be interested in hosting a clinic. Once I got the go-ahead, I e-mailed the 2006 US National DH Champion, Tara Llanes and to my surprise, she wrote me back and was interested in being our instructor. Now we were in business! I rounded up some amazing sponsors: Troy Lee Designs, Giant for Women, Terry, ProGold, Park Tools, Giant, LUNA, EMS, Gatorade and Elete and we were on our way with packed schwag bags and outstanding raffle prizes!!!

After all the planning, the day arrived when I picked-up Tara at the airport and then we were off to Whiteface for a day of riding together to scope out lines to use for the clinic. I was SO nervous following her down the trails and especially when she was following me, but it was simply awesome. She is incredibly nice and give amazing constructive criticism while encouraging you to keep going.

Now it was time for the clinic. Two, one day clinic with Tara and an amazing opportunity for the 15 women who had signed up. Definitely one of the most incredible experiences I have ever had!!!!

Summer's in the Air!!!

Wow...I haven't been on in a while :( Now that summer's here I have more free time to blog away. Let's see...what have I been up to?
Well, Memorial Day weekend brought some good friends to our home and some epic XC riding. Then we were off to the Hardcore24 in Cutler, NY for my first solo 24 of the year. The race was cut short due to the tragic passing of a rider while he was out on a lap enjoying life. Despite the tragic events, the guys at Park Ave. Bikes really did put on another great event and we're looking forward to next year. This year, I managed a 2nd place finish and was rewarded for my efforts with a beautiful new Bontrager Race Lite Tubeless wheelset. This wheelset will go nicely with my new FOX F100RLC so the hunt is on for a super light race hardtail.

After some R&R, Earl & I hit Whiteface for some downhill antics. Now I am gearing up for the Women's DH Clinic with Tara Llanes this weekend! I am SO excited!!! Well, I'm off on a cool road ride.