Win A Spot to the Dirt Series Sponsored by Qdoba & JensonUSA!

[~ Pakiha ~]

Win an entry to Dirt Series, courtesy of Qdoba Mexican Grill

Qdoba Mexican Grill, one of our favorite local eateries, is hooking one lucky rider up with a free entry into Rocky Mountain Bicycles' Dirt Series (a $295 value!)

Jenson USA is bringing the award-winning Dirt Series to Southern California for the first time, this coming weekend, April 26-27th. For more information about the event, please visit: http://www.dirtseries.com/mountain-bike-camp-corona.htm

To enter to win, compose your response and post it to this thread. Just tell us why you deserve a free entry to the camp in 500 words or less – we'll select the winner from the responses posted prior to 5PM on Tuesday, April 22nd. If you're selected, you're on your way to Dirt Series, courtesy of Qdoba.

We're also pleased to announce that lunch on Saturday during the Dirt Series will be provided by Qdoba – a perfect, healthy and fast nutrition choice for cyclists. Special thanks to Kevin and the staff of Qdoba, Upland at the Colonies, for their generosity in supporting Jenson USA and the Dirt Series.

Get Posting!
Jared

[zerordl]

Hey Jared,

Can Wade Simmons teach me to freeride or bomb the Fontana downhill course on my Cannondale Scalpel at the clinic?

If so, I may have to compose an entry.

[~ Pakiha ~]

In fact, That is what he is going to be doing, at Fontana AND Aliso.

Here's the Snipit from their site on whats happening that weekend.

"This will be our first year doing a camp in Southern California, and we’re definitely excited. Kurt Kunoth, the local Rocky Mountain Bicycles rep, has been working with Jenson USA for months, figuring out the best locations for the skills and rides, and essentially planning the most fun and informative camp they possibly can.
We'll spend Saturday at Southridge in Fontana, and Sunday at Aliso Woods in Laguna Hills. The mornings will feature small-group skill sessions on beginner through advanced techniques, and the afternoons will include instructional rides to put new skills into practice. Participants will be split up according to interest and ability, so everyone will have the chance to learn what they'd like, and progress at the rate that works best for them.
Usually we have an all female staff, but since this is a co-ed camp, Rocky Mountain pro athletes Wade Simmons and Andreas Hestler have signed on to coach too. This is an incredible opportunity to ride with some of the best in the sport, add all kinds of new skills to your arsenal, and get completely set up for a wonderful season ahead.
This camp should be ideal for women and men, cross-country and freeride, and beginner to advanced. See you in the sun."

[sdyeti]

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Wise words, delivered in 1936 by one of our most prominent presidents, Franklin D. Roosevelt. I wasn’t a history major, but I do know that FDR’s quote applies to me…kinda. Mountain biking, in addition to the myriad of ways it has changed my life for the better—fitness, friends, new adventures—has also left me with fear.

I have a fear of drops. Big drops. Medium drops. Even little-ish drops. I like to think of it as the Goldilocks syndrome, though I have found virtually none that are my “just right”.

It all started back in 2005 with my first year of riding and racing downhill. I went to Sea Otter for the first time, and spent about an hour at one of the terrain parks there. Back then, I had no fear of drops. I found a small ladder drop and hurled myself off the end, quite successfully, a couple of times. “Woo hoo! Moving on up!” With inflated bravado, I proudly lined myself up for the larger drop. And with spectacular lack of grace, I nose-dived off the end, taking a flying Superman dive. Thump. The fear was planted, but like a seed without water, it lay semi-dormant.

I had nearly forgotten about it until about 3 months later.

Whistler…its name is evocative of smooth runs down A-Line. The Disneyland of downhill. Riders floating through the air with grace (at least, everyone except me). I had been there a day or two when I decided to try the middle GLC drop. Yeah, that one. It’s not super big but at the time, again, I figured “Eh, that’s easy”, completely forgetting about what little real skill I actually had.

Déjà vu was the only way to describe what transpired next. It happened again. I tumbled off the end, butt over teakettle.

The lunchtime crowd at the GLC was happily snacking away when they witnessed my thud. Between French fries and burgers, they got a show that they weren’t expecting. I think, before my bike landed on my head, I heard gasps from the crowd. Maybe even a “9.5! 10.0!” All I remember is pulling myself off the ground and slumping back to the condo, too humiliated to show my (full) face. The fear was in full bloom.

So, here I am, three years later. My downhill skills have improved a lot since then…except for drops. I have avoided them like the Plague since that day. Use whatever adjective you will…they sketch me out, big time. Whistler 2008 is on the horizon. Our tickets are purchased. Our condo is booked. A little help from the folks at the Dirt Series would help me learn to face and accomplish the drops that have been holding me back (plus all the other skills I need to improve).

I would so love to return to Whistler this summer during my trip, pull up the fear by its roots and stomp it out of existence.

[Abui]

If I can't make it this weekend will you fly me to Whistler?

[~ Pakiha ~]

Unfortunately, Abui it is good for this weekend only

[jchristopher]

Originally Posted by sdyeti

I would so love to return to Whistler this summer, pull up the fear by its roots and stomp it out of existence.

I would love to return to Whistler this summer as well, however, this particular event is in SoCal this weekend.

Thanks for your interest!

[sdyeti]

Yes, I know that the event is in So Cal, this weekend. I
was saying that in order to prep for my Whistler trip this summer and be prepared for all the terrain challenges, I need to take this clinic this weekend

Originally Posted by jchristopher

I would love to return to Whistler this summer as well, however, this particular event is in SoCal this weekend.

Thanks for your interest!

[~ Pakiha ~]

DOH! I think we got wires crossed, Abui's trying to pry a trip to whistler out of us

[mfoga]

I am just getting back into mountain biking after an over ten year time off the bike. I have noticed I have lost a lot of skills and a lot of the comfort level to handle more technical sections or bigger sections. I could really use the chance to have professionals help regain some of those old skills and hopefully many new ones. It would also be helpful in how to make use of the new technology that I have on my bike that I didn’t have in the past. I make use of it but I believe there must be more effective ways to use this technology. I watch people do things I in my head say I can do that but only to get to it and find I have no idea how to handle this. Not to mention all these rides I hear about that would have been nearly impossible when I rode in the past but are common now and how I would love to be able to be one of those who do these sections and the skills learned could put me on the path to being able to do those again.

[m0to]

I'll throw my hat in!

I have been riding bicycles avidly since I was a child. Mountain bikes in particular since 1993 except for a 5 year break. The break from mountain bike wasn't a voluntary one. In 1995 while navigating a very steep downhill I went over the bars and managed to break my C2. I didn't realize it until 3 days later when driving home I lost all feeling to my arms and legs. Fortunately my friend carpooling with me managed to pull the car over, then get me to the hospital. The swelling had started to pinch the nerves and basically not allow me feel or function. I physically recovered completely. But it introduced a deep fear of steep declines.

About five years ago I was out riding my dirt bike, and came across another steep incline. Fear kicked in and I reacted completely incorrectly. Rather than use skills I had, I slid back on the seat, cracked open the throttle and rocketed towards the bottom transition. The bike fully compressed then came up and slammed right into my ready and waiting posterior. This in turn crushed my L5 and fractured my T12. I knew something had broken as it sounded like a broom stick being broken over your knee. I laid the bike down as gracefully as possible, checked I could move my fingers and toes, and then had my friend (Thank everything to having friends) take me to the hospital.

For the last few years I've been pretty damn unhappy. About three months ago I was talking to someone and I said "You know, the happiest I have been in my life is when I had an easy job and could get out nearly every day and ride the bike." As I thought about it, the job then was crappy so it wasn't the job, it must be the bike. I've been riding nearly everyday for the last month and and much as possible for the last two months. I still find the prior injuries make me balk to the easiest of declines.

To this day I have a deep seated fear for steep declines, drops and jumps. I know I have the skills to handle them but I need to further develop the mental skills to believe I can handle them.

With all of that said, I'm actually signed up and paid for the class, but was laid off from work two weeks ago to this day. So, $300 would be nice right now :-) I haven't cancelled because at this point mountain biking I've found is what keeps me happy. Its a passion and a love.

Ride On!!!

[Kid A]

Originally Posted by m0to

I'll throw my hat in!

I have been riding bicycles avidly since I was a child. Mountain bikes in particular since 1993 except for a 5 year break. The break from mountain bike wasn't a voluntary one. In 1995 while navigating a very steep downhill I went over the bars and managed to break my C2. I didn't realize it until 3 days later when driving home I lost all feeling to my arms and legs. Fortunately my friend carpooling with me managed to pull the car over, then get me to the hospital. The swelling had started to pinch the nerves and basically not allow me feel or function. I physically recovered completely. But it introduced a deep fear of steep declines.

About five years ago I was out riding my dirt bike, and came across another steep incline. Fear kicked in and I reacted completely incorrectly. Rather than use skills I had, I slid back on the seat, cracked open the throttle and rocketed towards the bottom transition. The bike fully compressed then came up and slammed right into my ready and waiting posterior. This in turn crushed my L5 and fractured my T12. I knew something had broken as it sounded like a broom stick being broken over your knee. I laid the bike down as gracefully as possible, checked I could move my fingers and toes, and then had my friend (Thank everything to having friends) take me to the hospital.

For the last few years I've been pretty damn unhappy. About three months ago I was talking to someone and I said "You know, the happiest I have been in my life is when I had an easy job and could get out nearly every day and ride the bike." As I thought about it, the job then was crappy so it wasn't the job, it must be the bike. I've been riding nearly everyday for the last month and and much as possible for the last two months. I still find the prior injuries make me balk to the easiest of declines.

To this day I have a deep seated fear for steep declines, drops and jumps. I know I have the skills to handle them but I need to further develop the mental skills to believe I can handle them.

With all of that said, I'm actually signed up and paid for the class, but was laid off from work two weeks ago to this day. So, $300 would be nice right now :-) I haven't cancelled because at this point mountain biking I've found is what keeps me happy. Its a passion and a love.

Ride On!!!

Hey – w/o the boring details, I can share that I unfortunately know more than a bit about what you may be dealing with physically and mentally (spinal / back injury) and wish you the very best in getting back and charging it w/o fear (or at least greater confidence).

Have a blast at the class whether on your dime or theirs

[jason "gun"]

I really need the lessons before I break my neck, ego or bike trying to keep up with the group ahead of me. And, it's a lot of work to catch those guys on the uphills. I promise to share whatever I learn with the guys I ride with - (at least the ones I can beat up the hills).

Thanks for your consideration.

Jason Gundersen

[JayFab]

I'm a rider on an extremely tight budget and would desperately love to participate in Dirt Series. I know $295 is nothing in comparison to the priceless fountain of knowledge and skills that can be obtained. Yet, it is still just outside of my means. Please consider me for this fantastic opportunity.

Thank You,
JayFab

[mullarks]

First off that is awesome of Qdoba to create this sponsorship.

As for my submission: When I first read about the Dirt Series coming to Southern California I thought something like this would be perfect for me to attend. I have been riding for a little over a year now and I have been riding downhill for about 4 months. My riding has advanced rather quickly but now it has come to a point where I have plateaued to a certain degree. I feel as though I have become a good rider in the last year by riding 2-4 days a week, but I need something to push me to the next level. I don't just want be a good rider, I want to become a great rider. And a program like the Dirt Series would help me take that next step. So you might be asking yourselves if the Dirt Series would help you so much why didn't you pay the $300 to attend?? Well the way I figured it, I thought that the $300 could be better used for 2 trips to either Mammoth or Bootleg Canyon. And riding those spots would help me to elevate my riding and allow me to spend time doing what i love to do with some great friends, creating memories that you can't put a price on.

Thanks,
Danny

[Dino Brown]

Public Service Announcement:
The Deadline for the FREE "Skills Clinic" is Today at 5pm.......

C'mon People!

Note to Newbs/Lurker's- Attend the clinic.... Improve your skills.... Leave feeling confident that you have the skills necessary to attend a STR "Newbie/Beginner" ride....

Someone is going to WIN.
Might as well be... You!

[mtbdad]

First, Thanks to Jenson USA for bringing the Dirt Series to So Cal, and Qdoba Mexican Grill for sponsoring the entry. I’m a 41 year old renewed bicycle enthusiast who grew up riding my bike, I raced BMX in the early 80’s, Later, got married had 5 kids and 20 years later (2007) rediscovered my love to ride, this time cross-country/ trail riding in the hills of our local wilderness areas, taking in the (sometimes) fresh air and scenery < whew was that a run on sentence>.

I loved to ride and Race BMX, racing with the likes of Tinker Juarez (remember him?) at Monrovia BMX and Orange. Those riding skills developed long ago have mostly faded and never involved navigating a rock garden. Re-learning my riding skills has taken me a while, as a simple bunny hop up a curb and still it’s somewhat of a challenge.

Being the Sole support for our family as my wife home schools our five children leaves us a little tight on the finances. It was a big financial purchase for us last year when I spent over $1000.00 on a MTB Bike! ( Ouch - I don’t think I spent that on her wedding ring). My wife has been very supportive and I try to ride 2 to 3 times a week. I’ve also been able to have my 16 year old son start riding with me who never really rode before so I’ve been teaching what I can as we both learn together. My other son is our Youngest and at 3 and ½ years old, Im starting him early, I found a used “Shocker” trail-a-bike to pull him along on rides. While he gets board and pedals occasionally climbing, it’s a joy to hear him yell “Yeah Baby” on the down hills (I know he’s 3, we take it easy).

I have put just over 700 miles on my new bike since last Aug and I’m ready to take my riding skills to the next level. By providing me the opportunity to attend this class, it will give me the much needed skills that I can not only apply in my riding, but I can pass on to my 16 and 3-1/2 year old sons. It will teach me How to properly climb, descend and navigate technical obstacles safely. This will not only help me and my Boys but all of America, by learning proper skills, I can avoid injuring myself, and thereby keep seven more people off the welfare roles. So Please Help me, Help America and grant me an entry into the Rocky Mountain Bicycles' Dirt Series
Thanks for your Consideration
Ray
MTB Dad (448 words)