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Girls Who Rock: The Beti AllRide Clinic

Jul 6, 2013
by Carrie Dittmer  
The inaugural Beti AllRide Clinic proved to be a huge success, with 90 women participating and an all-star coaching line up. This took place June 22-23, 2013 at Keystone Resort, in Keystone, Colorado.

The all-star coaching line-up for the Beti AllRide Clinic.

The all-star coaching line-up for the Beti AllRide Clinic.


The masterminds behind this brilliant idea of an all-women gravity clinic are: Sarah Rawley from Mountain Grown Marketing, Team Yeti Beti, and Lindsey Voreis and the AllRide Tour. Participants were grouped and assigned to one of twelve coaches based on ability, riding experience, and specific skills notated on the surveys we filled out prior to the clinic.

Sarah making announcements before we go off into our groups. Each coach had about seven girls which was perfect

Sarah making announcements before we go off into our groups. Each coach had about seven girls, which was perfect!


Telling the group about the attack body position.

Telling the group about the attack body position.


Showing correct body position and how you should dance with your bike.

Showing correct body position and how you should "dance with your bike."


As a participant myself, I wrote down that I would like to work on jumping and drops – so my coaches were Lauren Heitzman and Lindsay Yost, two talented coaches at Trestle Bike Park in Winter Park.

Participants of the Beti AllRide Clinic learn how to jump

Participants of the Beti AllRide Clinic learn how to jump!


These are two ladies who are not afraid to catching big air. The women in all groups went back to basics to learn the fundamentals the correct way.

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First we talked about what skill we were going to work on, then we got a demonstration by Lauren and/or Lindsay, and finally, we were off practicing our new skills on smaller features to progress to larger ones. Let me tell you, bad habits are hard to break! My body positioning was incorrect as I was leaning too far back, but as the day went on, I was trying my hardest to break my old muscle memory for the new, correct body position.

We split our time between jumps and drops, starting small before riding the lift up to tackle the trails in Keystone Bike Park. Once we were on the mountain, the coaches quickly reiterated what we practiced in the skills park, and how they can be used on natural features found on the trail.

While fixing a flat we took the opportunity to watch Lindsay fly through turns and session it as a group.

While fixing a flat, we took the opportunity to watch Lindsay fly through turns, and session it as a group.


All smiles while getting expert-level coaching and encouragement

All smiles riding getting expert-level coach and encouragement.


In tricky areas, we would stop and session and learn tips and tricks for getting though the section as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Mid-afternoon, we took the lift up to the top and enjoyed an amazing lunch filled with eggplant skewers, and three different tasty salads. During lunch, we had an inspirational guest speaker, Kyra Acuna, as she discussed the benefits of Sport and Performance Psychology. Ninety percent of any athletic endeavor is the mental aspect. The combination of the mental and physical skills started to make things click. After lunch, it was back to skills work and it was beneficial to follow the instructors down the mountain, trying to emulate their body movements and watching how they descended effortlessly.

Our group from the Beti AllRide Clinic getting ready to descend from the top of Keystone. Lake Dillon is in the background.

Participants of the Beti AllRide Clinic.


Those who signed up for day two, were assigned the same instructors. The day began with much needed warm ups and stretches, as most of us were a little sore from the day before. Our group tackled sections of Cowboy Up, starting with the fast drop-in of logs and rocks, through the technical rock garden. It was empowering having women cheering words of encouragement as you rode the gnarly section of rock!

Both days were concluded by hydration, salty chip goodness, and a ton of raffle prizes from the Beti AllRide Clinic’s sponsors including Keystone Merchant Association, Keystone Resort, Yeti Cycles, POC, Stan’s NoTubes, Stages Cycling and more! For those that were on the fence this year about signing up for the Beti AllRide Clinic, I would highly recommend it—for any level, experience or years of riding. The coaches did a great job empowering women: by teaching skills, and giving them confidence that ladies can huck it, just like the guys!

Lots of raffle prizes and swag after the clinic - both days

Lots of raffle prizes and swag after the clinic - both days!


The all-star coaching line-up included: Lindsey Voreis (lead coach), Alisha Gibson, Heather Irmiger, Julia Warwick, Julie Olsen, Katy Hanlon, Krista Park, Lauren Heitzman, Lindsay Yost, Tammy Donahugh, Wendy Palmer, and Dawn Weiker. Check out www.betiallrideclinic.com for addition information and registration for 2014.

Author Info:
cardittmer avatar

Member since Jun 26, 2013
1 articles

24 Comments
  • 7 1
 This is a great clinic. We need more women in this sport. Diversity is key for progression. Highland mountain does the same thing with their womans freeride fest.
  • 1 0
 Thanks for the positive comments! It really was a great experience; and just a note, some of the bikes were demos. And just because I didn't know how to jump, doesn't mean I don't know how to ride; that is just one skill. I even used my newly found knowledge to race my first Enduro over the weekend. Super fun stuff!
  • 2 0
 5 years in and I've finally found a girl who wants to try riding. We're hitting the dirt later today. Fingers crossed!
  • 2 1
 Oh man I wish I would have known… Maybe I'll make it next year!
  • 2 1
 Nice write-up, Carrie!
  • 1 0
 Thanks!
  • 1 2
 That attitude will carry you well into your adult life.......enjoy.
  • 2 2
 OoooOo lala sesibone ya
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