USACycling
Certified Level 2 Coach
Join us on Sundays thru october ~ for our 2017 Women's Cycling Class! location tba ~ stay tuned! beginning AND INTERMDIATE cyclists welcome in this "no Drop" ride class with weekly tips on cycling and nutrition to keep you safe and happy on your bike. EACH 3 MONTH CLASS FEATURES TWO SKILLS CLINICS!
TOTAL BODY FITNESS WOMEN'S CYCLING CLASS:
In January, 2015, a well respected triathlon event promoter asked if I would be I interested in working with him to build a beginning women's cycling program, to instruct beginning cyclists so that they become more capable and more confidant on their bikes. I jumped at the chance! What timing - in just a few months I would be retired and I could share my passion for fitness, and most especially cycling, with a whole new audience! I've been teaching 7th grade PE for eighteen years, and as they say, when one door closes, another opens. I have a passion for fitness, fun, and being outdoors, and have once again been blessed with the opportunity to share that.
This spring Total Body Fitness, in Folsom, CA, introduced Beginning Women'S Cycling to a group of twenty five gals ranging in age from late 20s to mid 50s, and ability level of "brand new" to intermediate. We met every Sunday morning to ride and started each class with a ten minute Hints and Tips session. We cover many critical topics, but when it came to nutrition, I was ready! What a great opportunity to share what Hammer has to offer, and I am able to continue to do so on a regular basis. Our first two sessions covered some basics: such as weight shift, turns, braking and gear selection, followed by short rides along the scenic American River Bike Trail.
Soon we'd graduated to open roads,and adding mileage, and at the end of three months, our class entered the Wildflower Chico Century! While several opted for the metric distance, most chose the full 100 mile ride! What a great feeling - these gals had quickly lost their "beginner" status, and I was proud to call them Cyclists! Over the past several months I'd continued to address nutrition and hydration, and it was sinking in. On Century Day, as I came in with one of my stronger riders, we hit the 30 to go point, and a strong headwind. We'd practiced pace line and now she knew why! Beate was doing a great job pulling thru, but with twenty to go, she suddenly struggling and then dropped back. I pulled off and asked if she'd eaten lately, and she said, no, she'd run out of gels. Well, what coach doesn't carry extra Hammer Gels?! She sucked one down, drank some water, and we resumed riding. And within a mile, Beate was taking pulls again! I'd thought I might need to bring her in, but she'd have none of that - she was feeling strong again and ready to ride! So much so that she the course totaled only 94 miles, she insisted on riding out and getting the other six! My gals ALL finished smiling, and I knew they were hooked!
Total Body Fitness has had two more classes since then, and we will culminate with the Foxy Fall Century in October. We've coached forty riders this year! Several take the class several times, as they've found how nice it is to have a group to ride with, known courses to ride, and to pick up new tips to make the whole experience safer and more enjoyable..Meanwhile, I have been named head coach for the program, which is both an honor and a delightful responsibility! I'm enjoying coming up with new lesson plans, training programs, and new ways to present information. I absolutely love seeing these gals gain independence, confidence, fitness, and friendships through our classes. I get to share what I know, and my passion for it, and that includes the numerous times I mention how well Hammer works for me. In 2016 I am expanding the program, adding Saturday classes that will meet in the Lodi/Lockeford area. Ahhhhh, the advantages of being retired! I can coach on the weekends and design my own workouts accordingly! i e attached some photos of our classes - notice the smiles and that look of accomplishment on their faces!
visit www.totalbodyfitness for more info on this program and a whole lot of other exciting TBF events !
Riding the parking lot skills loop, improving pedaling technique, cornering, and braking...and confidence!