MT Alpha Skills Clinic 2020 - canceled due to covid


Due to COVID-19, we must sadly CANCEL our annual mountain bike skills clinic, which was scheduled for May 31, 2020. We are abiding by the CDC recommendations, USA Cycling and our local government directives for the benefit of all by not congregating in large groups for the time being. 

If it's possible, we will try and reschedule the clinic once we are through this crisis. However, as you know, the situation is very dynamic.  We will follow the latest updates as to when we can safely offer a big skills clinic to all the amazing women riders in our community.

In the meantime, our Board of Directors met to come up with some alternatives to our skills clinic and to discuss how we can safely meet for rides this spring: 

Our goal is to continue to have our group rides (race and club members) later this spring while physically distanced (pending government orders/phases). We also hope to add in some skill work during those race and club rides led by our race team or local MTB gurus. 

We're also hoping to schedule some mini-clinic(s) for race and club team members later in the season since we're unable to do our big skills clinic this year. These are tentative plans that will hopefully come to fruition as our State’s COVID situation becomes clearer.

eWith Spring in the air, we encourage you to get out and ride with respect to social distancing and proper trail etiquette. If the trailhead is crowded, try out a new spot. Slow down, smile, and say "hi" from a distance. We will be ready to help you refine your skills as soon as we can! 
This year is our 8th annual skills clinic! We are excited to host our clinic again at Marshall Mountain this year. MTB Missoula has done outstanding trail-building over the last few years, and we are confident there are trail options for all levels and ages.

Each year about 100 riders - ladies and junior boys and girls - enjoy a fun day of skills work and trail riding. Each group is composed of 2 instructors and 8 riders who stick together throughout the day.

This year, women will NOT select a specific skill level but complete a very detailed survey upon registering. This will be used to group people of the same technical level and goals. We want women to get as much as possible out of the day.
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At the clinic, technical work ranges from bike comfort and braking to downhill riding and cornering. The afternoon features a group ride to keep working on skills and put that new knowledge to use!

Address of Clinic:
Marshall Mountain
5250 Marshall Canyon Road, Missoula, MT 59802

Cost:
Clinic entry is $50 for women and $35 for juniors. Registration will open on April 1.

Skills Clinic Schedule:
Check-in: 8:30-9:00 AM
Clinic begins: 9:00 AM
Technical drills and skills work: 9:30 AM-Noon
Lunch: Noon-1:00 PM
Group ride with more technical work: 1:00-3:15 PM
Closing ceremony: 3:30-4:00 PM

What to bring:
- A bike in good working order (check the tires, breaks and gears before the clinic to make sure there are no barriers to you riding it for the day)
- Bike helmet
- Tubes in case you get a flat
- Bag lunch and snacks
- Water (we will have Hammer product and H20 but please bring some, too)
- Change of clothes, layers, rain jacket
- Sunscreen

Keep in mind:
- Marshall Mountain has minimal cellular reception so plan accordingly. Texts and calls can be made from certain areas of the mountain.
​- Bathrooms and/or portapotties will be available
- There will be tents for you to leave stuff underneath while you ride
- It could rain so be prepared for being outside and getting wet and muddy

Any comments/concerns/suggestions for the clinic?
Contact: events@mtalphacycling.org

Instructors of the 2018 skills clinic at Marshall Mountain:

Top row, from left to right: Kiefer Hahn, Andy Schultz, Rob Amrine, Amy Dolan, Lisa Curry, Alicia Leggett, Brenan Halpin, Lauren Olson, Bethany Jakubik,
Botom row, from left to right: Shaun Radley, Jen Bardsley, Elsa Westenfelder, Natalie Wagenbrenner, Lara Nokleby, Bri Lui, MJ Martin, Kristine Akland