The Specialized Women Sports Camp Heads East: From High Altitude to Just Ride Attitude
A four-year long success story from Lake Tahoe, CA, the multi-faceted Specialized Women Sports Camp has expanded eastward.
Amidst the turning fall leaves of Mountain Creek Bike Park in Vernon, New Jersey, the all-weekend skills camp focused on the sport of mountain biking and was taught for and by women, the first of its kind on the East Coast. Camp founder Inger Norman’s inspiration came from years of experience in the women’s sports industry. Inger noticed that women who feel intimidated by the lack of confidence, skill, training and gear knowledge, crave a supportive atmosphere where they can learn from top female coaches in an outdoor setting.
Besides the bike skills workshops and group rides, the camp featured supplemental sessions like yoga, bike anatomy and fit from Specialized specialists, bike maintenance, lunch and learns, and post-ride socials. In this case, the massive Mountain Creek Oktoberfest served as the social, and about 20,000 other local folks showed up at the venue to clink oversized beer steins full of German recovery mix.
Mentions: @Specialized @C9H13NO3 @mdelorme
Amidst the turning fall leaves of Mountain Creek Bike Park in Vernon, New Jersey, the all-weekend skills camp focused on the sport of mountain biking and was taught for and by women, the first of its kind on the East Coast. Camp founder Inger Norman’s inspiration came from years of experience in the women’s sports industry. Inger noticed that women who feel intimidated by the lack of confidence, skill, training and gear knowledge, crave a supportive atmosphere where they can learn from top female coaches in an outdoor setting.
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 Meet and greet with the coaches. Time to go over the plan of attack and assess everyone's riding level. |
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| Practicing looking ahead, and not down at the root, can often be counter intuitive for new rider. Practice in the open gets them used to it, so when obstacles pop up on the trail, they are ready to tackle them. |
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| Lead by professional mountain bikers and coaches, clinics covered the basics like body position, braking, and cornering. Advanced techniques such as drops, jumping, and even "knick knacks" were taught to the heartier participants. |
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| Away form the hustle and bustle at the park, the larger group of women is broken down into three smaller groups, each teaching a separate set of skills. |
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| From proper bike set up to going over the fundamentals of bike handling, the women were given all of the tools they needed to enjoy the ride in a relaxed atmosphere. |
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| When the women got a firm handle in the basic skills, it was time to take on the trails. The smiles and hoots and hollers came fast after that. |
Besides the bike skills workshops and group rides, the camp featured supplemental sessions like yoga, bike anatomy and fit from Specialized specialists, bike maintenance, lunch and learns, and post-ride socials. In this case, the massive Mountain Creek Oktoberfest served as the social, and about 20,000 other local folks showed up at the venue to clink oversized beer steins full of German recovery mix.
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| Even the youngest riders quickly grasped the attack position and where impressively progressing. |
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| The encouragement from the coaches and other riders is key to success in the drills. |
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| Once the idea of terrain falling away from you isn't viewed as scary, the only thing left to do is wear a huge smile and enjoy the ride. |
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| Basics, basics, basics. Practice makes perfect. |
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| Head coach and Hall of Famer Marla Streb gushed, "This was the best skills camp I've ever taught on the East Coast, and it was rewarding to watch all the women, and one small girl, improve before our eyes." |
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| When It was all over, the women signed the banner, adding to the signatures of those who attended on the west coast. |
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| Coach Amy Alton and pro enduro racer summed it up, "It was an awesome display of how ladies on bikes throw down! I can't wait for next year." |
Mentions: @Specialized @C9H13NO3 @mdelorme
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18 Comments
- 8 0
shotouthoods
(Nov 15, 2014 at 9:51)
Every person wins at skill camp. I thought knick knacks are the stuff my wife has all over the shelves of our house. Hope my daughter gets to join in one of these camps some day soon. It looks like they have a great time.
- 1 0
shineridersco
(Nov 18, 2014 at 13:50)
What area do you live in? I coach full time and produce women's mtb events, would love to make something special for your daughter!
- 1 0
shineridersco
(Nov 18, 2014 at 13:50)
Shineridersco.com
- 1 0
shotouthoods
(Nov 18, 2014 at 19:25)
Nice website. We are in San Diego.
- 3 0
k8piranha
(Nov 25, 2014 at 10:56)
It's great to see more and more of these camps around. On the East Coast this camp is definitely not the first of its kind but represents a growing trend. For example, Highland Mountain Bike Park in NH has been hosting the Women's Freeride Fest since 2011 which offers multiple levels of clinics over two days and features volunteer pro coaches from all over North America. Having professional instruction for women more widely available has greatly increased the female rider base and the skill level of those riders. 
- 2 0
KAERLG
(Nov 25, 2014 at 13:23)
In addition to the Women's Freeride Festival, let's not forget the wildly popular Ride Like A Girl grassroots series which is heading into its sixth year. A collaborative effort between New England Mountain Bike Association and Highland Mountain Bike Park, this series brings training to the community of entry level riders. Each season this program attracts close to 100 female riders from all over New England ranging from 7 years to mid 60's! With NEMBA membership, Ride Like A Girl provides FREE monthly clinics from May-Oct. on XC trails in MA and NH. Clinics are conducted by an all female team of certified instructors/former and current professional competitors with the support of National Mountain Bike Patrol. Keep an eye out for the 2015 schedule due for release after the New Year!
- 1 0
kzabb
(Nov 28, 2014 at 20:53)
Huh? First of its kind? Nope! Check that Matt! Karen, Kate, Kathy, Trish, Sue, Becky, Christine, Sheryl, Alexis...Tina the medic and any other Rad female coach I may have forgot to mention, might take small offense to that statement...& rightfully so. I've experienced the past two Highland Women's Freeride Festivals in NH, and let me say it's an amazing wknd. filled to the brim w/ how to clinics from beginner basics- bike check, safety equipment, balance, proper rider position, to more advanced focus on cornering, jumps, tabletops, drops, DJ DH and xc. And how bout all the phenomenal New England lady shredders who show in numbers- I met near a hundred gals from the area and beyond last free ride fest...they would definately scratch their heads upon reading that claim! The Ride Like A Girl program is a huge hit here in the Northeast...women vie for a slot each season- there's a waiting list in fact! To learn from the pros the nuts and bolts of this most incredible sport, how fortunate we newbies are! We come nervous and anxious because we want to learn how to ride proper, and not simply hear from a guy rider (well intentioned or not) who's constant encouragement is " you got this, just go for it", without any how to - let's break it down sessioning. I took part in one season of the RLG clinics, and the comradery and pointers I gained from those women coaches and riders was key to my establishing a strong foundational skillset to draw from now that I'm out on the "HILL" shredding sans training wheels and binky! What a great thing it is having these clinics popping up here and there...seems to me the more the merrier! So, I say we're so happy you came to help spread the word and show the ladies how to get their groove on...but, by no means are youz the first to do so, here. Welcome to the Gnar East, and please, do come again!! I'd love to meet you, and learn some shredtastic moves from you accomplished ladies!! Yee Hawww!
- 2 0
DirtRocknRoot
(Nov 16, 2014 at 5:41)
Dirt Rock n Root Training has been offering women's specific camps at Mountain Creek for several years and leads their monthly Women's Ride Days throughout the season. Ladies on the East Coast should check us out next year. Dirtrocknroot.com. thanks.
- 5 0
reeves009
(Nov 15, 2014 at 16:39)
Yet another reason Amy Alton is the best!
- 5 0
gerrycreighton
(Nov 15, 2014 at 9:57)
Very cool way to advance your skill set.
- 4 0
mtbfunfunfun
(Nov 15, 2014 at 10:26)
Did a BetterRide camp two years ago...Best money I've ever spent. So helpful.
Millennium Falcon tattoo -- sweet!
- 1 0
shineridersco
(Nov 18, 2014 at 13:51)
Agreed, Gene offers top level camps!!
- 1 0
shineridersco
(Nov 18, 2014 at 13:55)
Great article! I have not had the pleasure of working with or for Inger but I have met her and her Tahoe camp is right in my backyard. I hope she will keep up the momentum in 2015. We need lots more programs like this. Women are representing over 50% of riders these days. More coaches, more events = more fun, more progression. Shineridersco.com
- 2 1
Bosko
(Nov 15, 2014 at 17:06)
Shine Riders Company run a great female bike skills camp. Super positive atmosphere and Lindsay is one of the nicest people in the business. Check em out.
shineridersco.com
- 1 0
shineridersco
(Nov 18, 2014 at 13:52)
Thanks Bosko for the shout out! I specialize in coaching women of all ages and also enjoy coaching the... Hairier gender as well.
- 2 0
Seawild66
(Nov 15, 2014 at 17:16)
Always great to see women riding! Specialized makes some great bikes just for the ladies. Millennium Falcon tattoo. rad!
- 1 0
utahspines
(Nov 16, 2014 at 8:10)
Sad to see them drop the Specialized-Lululemon team though...
- 1 0
shineridersco
(Nov 18, 2014 at 13:53)
I'm not knowledgable about why that change... But remember change is good. Something better will come of it.
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