This is a level 1 Biginner 1 (B1) mountain biking social meetup and instruction. See the full group meet up description to confirm if this level is the right fit for you. By attending you agree to the terms as provided in the Meetup group description. Helmets are required. Be safe and have fun! Socialize a d get help With your bike for the first 15 minutes. Riding starts 15 minutes after the registered event time.
Who is this Meetup for, and how “good” do I need to be?
B1 Prerequisites: You have never (or rarely ever) MTBed before, but know how to ride a bike reasonably well. You don’t struggle with balance, starting, stoping, turning or braking at slow to relatively fast speeds on paved roads.
B1 Summary: In B1, we will spend time talking about bike parts, basic challenges and techniques and how to over come them. We will ride on open flat ground while practicing shifting, turning, braking, and balance at different speeds and on different surface conditions (cement and dirt).
B1 Terrain: Riding will be on wide open flat cement and dirt areas with a very slight incline or decline. Some declines willon cement or paved areas and roads.
B1 Goals: Rider becomes comfortable and confident riding on wide open flat ground with loose dirt and gravel at slow to medium speeds (about 1-8mph, walking to jogging speed); rider can start, ride, turn, and brake to a stop in this terrain and at these speeds; rider is comfortable peddling while standing up in this terrain and at these speeds. My try small obstacles like riding up or down curbs or over small rocks.
How do I know I’m ready for the next level?
The first rule of any outdoor activity, is stay in control, the second is learn, and the third is have fun. The B1, B2, and B3 levels are each meant to provide skills and challenges push your comfort zone but not exceed your level of control. If you are able to proficiently and comfortably execute the tasks and skills while maintaining control of one level, then you are ready to attempt the challenges of the next. Based on your performance, you decide when and how fast you progress, which level to attend, and what challenges and obstinaos you take on. You can attend the same level as many times as you’d like.
Depending on how fast you learn and how comfortable you feel after each meetup, you can repeat each level once a week until you feel ready to move to the next level, or you can attend each level progressively through that same week until you feel ready for the intermediate Saturday ride.
What do I need to bring?
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You. Yourself and a positive growth mindset. Spectators/future bikers are welcome.
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Bike. This a BYOB event. You must bring your own bike or borrow a friends. If you don’t have a bike, you can buy or rent one from the local bike shop. If you aren’t sure which bike you should buy, ask the host for a copy of his bike buyers guide for beginners.
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Helmet. You must have a mountain bike specific helmet (one that covers the top, back, and sides of your head but leaves the ears exposed).
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Shoes. You must have a pair of good athletic shoes. No specific type is necessary but some with flat stuff flat bottoms are best, like Vans.
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Gloves. While not strictly necessary, a pair of full finger biking gloves are recommended and will help protect your hands from over sweating or scrapes in minor falls.
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Water. Don’t get dehydrated. No you can’t have mine. Even a basic plastics disposable one from the gas station works.
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Snacks. Always good to avoid hangry people.
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Other. If you have a pump, tools, patches, tubes, etc. feel free to bring them just in case but they aren’t must haves.