No one can help you ride or race your bike better than the coaches of Savvy Bike (formerly Velo Girls Coaching Services). In the past eight years, we've helped thousands of women and men achieve their goals of being smarter, safer, more skilled, and more confident on the bike. We've created a learning atmosphere where you'll feel comfortable and safe, and yet challenged to try something new.
Everyone can benefit from our skills clinics, whether you've been riding six months or two decades! We take the hit or miss out of the learning process to help you flatten the learning curve. It doesn't need to be difficult or painful to learn to ride or race a bike. We'll help you ride "with" your bike instead of "on" your bike. And we'll help you have fun!
By popular demand, we introduced our Bike Skills modules in 2008. We took our most popular two-day bike skills clinics and broke them down into 4-hour modules so you can focus on those skills that are most important to you. Some of these clinics are for women or men only; some are co-ed.
We highly recommend you participate in Bike Skills 101 (or an equivalent clinic) prior to registering for our more advanced road clinics.
This is our corner-stone clinic, and includes 16 hours of "you" time in the company of other cycling women. This clinic is a must-do for recreational cyclists and racers alike! We cover individual bike handling skills, group riding skills, climbing and descending, and training principles (including a time trial to determine heart rate training zones). Since 2003, women from all over the US and Canada have participated in this clinic. YouÕll walk away from this weekend with a renewed love for the bike and the cycling community!
2012 SCHEDULE
SPRING SESSION: June 16-17, 2012
→ REGISTRATION AVAILABLE SOON
Introduced in 2006, this award-winning program is designed to help you bridge the gap from club rider to team racer. In a six-week series of workshops, clinics, and rides, we'll teach you everything you need to know to begin road racing and then support you at your first race. This program is limited to eight riders each session. A solid level of cycling fitness is required. Program fee includes custom team jersey, USA Cycling License, race registration fee, twice-weekly team training, and a group training program. Contact Coaching@velogirls.com to schedule an assessment.
ROAD TEAM 1: Snelling Road Race
January 10 to February 25, 2012
→ SIGN UP ONLINE
ROAD TEAM 2: Turlock Lake Road Race
March 20 to May 6, 2012
→ SIGN UP ONLINE
ROAD TEAM 3: Dunnigan Hills Road Race
July 3 to August 11, 2012
→ SIGN UP ONLINE
ROAD TEAM 4: Henleyville Road Race
August 14 to September 29, 2012
→ SIGN UP ONLINE
BIKE SKILLS MODULES
BIKE SKILLS 101: Individual Bike Handling Skills
sponsored by BicycleLawyer.com
This 4-hour co-ed clinic is the foundation of everything else you'll learn on the bike. This is the clinic where we teach the old dogs new tricks and the newbies the fundamentals. You'll learn about balance and weight distribution and how that affects your ability to ride your bike safely and confidently. We'll learn skills like riding with no hands, emergency stops, and how to look behind you while holding your line, how to steer, and counter-steer. After just four hours, we guarantee you'll be a better bike handler and have much more fun on the bike.
→ January 29, 2012 | SIGN UP ONLINE
→ March 11, 2012 | SIGN UP ONLINE
→ April 24, 2012 | SIGN UP ONLINE
→ May 12, 2012 | SIGN UP ONLINE
→ July 8, 2012 | SIGN UP ONLINE
→ August 19, 2012 | SIGN UP ONLINE
→ September 30, 2012 | SIGN UP ONLINE
→ November 3, 2012 |
SIGN UP ONLINE
BIKE SKILLS 102: MOUNTAIN BIKE SKILLS
It's time for a little dirty fun! We'll teach you the basics (and not-so-basics) of balance, weight distribution, and how to use the terrain to your advantage. Learn to rock, roll, hop, and jump. Master the art of steep climbs. Learn to descend with confidence and skill. After just four hours, we guarantee you'll be a better bike handler and have much more fun on the bike.
→ March 25, 2012 | SIGN UP ONLINE
→ June 2, 2011 | SIGN UP ONLINE
BIKE SKILLS 103: CYCLOCROSS SKILLS & TACTICS
Have you been wondering what's all the buzz about cyclocross? It's a fun but challenging sport that's beginner-friendly and appropriate for the entire family. And best of all, it's happening at a park near you! In this four-hour clinic, you'll learn all the skills needed to get started in this incredible sport, including mounts, dismounts, and how to shoulder and carry your bike. We'll also share information about bikes & equipment, the local cyclocross racing scene, and how to train for a successful season. We'll finish off the day with a simulated race and de-brief. You'll need a mountain bike or a cyclocross bike for this clinic.
→ August 12, 2012 | SIGN UP ONLINE
BIKE SKILLS 201: CLIMBING & DESCENDING SKILLS
sponsored by Teresa Callen of ImageArts Salon
Bike Skills 201 is a continuation of what you've learned in Bike Skills 101. What goes up must come down, right? In this 4-hour co-ed clinic, we'll teach you how to climb like a pro - seated climbs, standing climbs, short climbs, steep climbs, extended climbs. And then, we'll teach you how to come back down again, focusing on a fast straight descent, and then a technical switchbacky descent. Pre- requisite: Bike Skills 101 or equivalent experience.
→ January 29, 2012 | SIGN UP ONLINE
→ March 11, 2012 | SIGN UP ONLINE
→ April 14, 2012 | SIGN UP ONLINE
→ May 12, 2012 | SIGN UP ONLINE
→ July 8, 2012 | SIGN UP ONLINE
→ August 19, 2012 | SIGN UP ONLINE
→ September 30, 2012 |
SIGN UP ONLINE
→ November 3, 2012 |
SIGN UP ONLINE
BIKE SKILLS 301: PACELINES & GROUP RIDING SKILLS
Wheelsucking is an art! Whether you're a racer or a recreational rider, group riding skills will help you ride longer, faster, and farther. We'll learn draft theory and basic pacelines, beginning with partner work and progressing to more complex group riding skills and introductory racing techniques. Pre-requisite: Bike Skills 101 or equivalent experience.
→ March 18, 2012 | SIGN UP ONLINE
→ May 20, 2012 | SIGN UP ONLINE
→ August 26, 2012 | SIGN UP ONLINE
→ November 4, 2012 | SIGN UP ONLINE
BIKE SKILLS 302: RACING SKILLS & TACTICS
This four-hour clinic will teach you all the individual bike-handling and group riding skills you'll need to race your first (or your 10th) criterium or road race. In addition to skills & drills, you'll receive expert coaching on race preparation and logistics, and an introduction to tactics. We'll finish the day with a training race followed by a de-brief. Pre-requisite: Bike Skills 101 or equivalent experience.
→ March 17, 2012 | SIGN UP ONLINE
BIKE SKILLS 303: ADVANCED RACING SKILLS & TACTICS
Take your racing to the next level! In this 4-hour clinic, you'll learn to "make the race" by incorporating individual and team tactics -- and we'll teach you the skills to do that! Bring your teammates for maximum learning. Liza Rachetto will be joining us as guest coach for this clinic. Pre-requisite: Bike Skills 302 or equivalent racing experience. Pre-requisite: Bike Skills 302 or equivalent experience.
→ 2012 Schedule TBD
BIKE TOURING 101
Have you thought about touring on your bike but don't know where to begin? We'll unravel the mysteries of supported, fully-loaded, and semi-loaded touring for you. This new program includes a two-hour seminar on the topics of equipment, bicycle choice, what to bring, how to pack, camping, cooking, safety, and choosing your route. Then, we head out for a weekend of semi-loaded touring with a 50-mile hilly option or a 25-mile rolling option, both ending at Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel in Pescadero, where we'll have dinner, spend the evening, soak in the hot tub, and sleep. The next day, we pack up and return to the start. This is a fully-supported event and includes ride nutrition, dinner (Saturday) and breakfast (Sunday), SAG, and your accommodations at the hostel.
→ May 26-27 2012 | SIGN UP ONLINE
→ October 6-7 2012 | SIGN UP ONLINE
ALPINE ALTITUDE ADVENTURE (aka DEATH RIDE TRAINING CAMP)
Join us for a fun, co-ed training weekend in Markleeville, CA, home of the Death Ride. This co-ed weekend camp is designed to help prepare participants for the rigors of endurance riding at high altitude. Based in Markleeville, CA, this camp is appropriate for Death Ride participants and others who wish to gain high altitude experience. Daily mileage options range from 25 - 75 miles. Registration fee includes camping (Friday + Saturday), SAG on rides, cycling nutrition, Saturday breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Sunday breakfast, and lots of fun with cool folks. Thursday and Sunday night camping options available for a small fee. You are responsible for transportation to/from Markleeville, however participants will be encouraged to carpool.
→ June 22-24, 2012 | SIGN UP ONLINE
