We tackle a Dirt Divas women-only skills day…
Words by Vic Alker, pictures by Sarah Shaw and Graeme Warren.
I like to think I’m a fairly experienced, if over-cautious mountain biker.
Over-cautious because of a spill three years ago, and even though it was on tarmac, I’ve not been as brave on a bike since. I’ll happily ride red-grade trails but am not happy if my wheels leave the ground and there are plenty of drops I chicken out of. My husband has tried to ‘encourage’ me to progress on my bike but it’s a bit like your dad teaching you to drive, you can’t always take advice from someone close to you.
So what will someone who feels cautious yet competent on a bike get out of a ‘Singletrack Skills’ day? I was interested in finding out, so with friend and photographer Sarah, I decided to spend the day with Dirt Divas, a ladies-only skills company based in Berkshire.
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For more information on Dirt Divas, visit the website at dirtdivas.co.uk. Courses will resume in the spring.
“If you can confidently ride most things then you probably wouldn’t benefit from a mountain bike skills course ”
I disagree, totally. ALL the world’s best sportspeople have coaches or in many cases, several coaches. Anyone who thinks they know everything / can do it all and wouldn’t benefit from expert tuition is fooling themselves.
My Mrs has done a couple of the Dirt Divas courses. Not only did she learn some new biking skills, she made some great new friends and fell in love with mountain biking. A big thumbs up to Jacqui @ Dirt Divas.
“If you can confidently ride most things then you probably wouldn’t benefit from a mountain bike skills course ”
Everyone should have a go, just find the one at your level, the only people who can’t learn anything are those that don’t want to.
As you progress the 1 to 1 idea makes a lot more sense to really work on your riding.