Would a training ride, or skills camp, for women only, be of benefit to girls and women? Does the mere presence of men in such a setting make women back off and lose confidence in their skills? Maybe so.
A recent article in Mountain Bike Magazine, written by Loren Mooney, highlights some women only training camps and clinics. 2010 Dirt Series MTB training camps, sponsored by Trek bikes, is open for registration. The camps are mostly women only, with a couple of co-ed camps included. It seems that in the absence of the boys, the girls are more likely to learn better. The theory is that at an all women venue, the girls stop watching what the boys are doing and become active participants instead. Rather than judge themselves against what men can do, they see that women are perfectly capable of accomplishing the same degree of proficiency. There is more of an “I can do it” mindset that is important to being able to mountain bike competently, and plenty of support from the rest of the women present.
If you are interested in attending one of the camps, you’ll have to pony up $315. It may be money well spent. If you do, please leave a note here and let us all know how you liked, or didn’t like, the experience.
The list of the camps:
Dirt Series dates and locations:
April 25-25: Santa Cruz, CA
May 1-2: San Jose, CA
May 8-9: San Rafael, CA
May 15-16: North Vancouver, BC
May 29-30: Whistler, BC
June 5-6: Fruita, CO
June 12-13: Boulder, CO
June 19-20: Park City, UT
June 26-27: Whistler, BC
July 10-11: Calgary, AB
July 17-18: Whistler, BC (co-ed)
July 31-Aug. 1: Bend, OR
Aug. 7-8: Hood River, OR
Aug. 21-22: Canmore, AB
Aug. 28-29: Bellingham, WA
Sep. 11-12: Whistler, BC (co-ed)
