Ride Like a Girl is an initiative to get more women/girls into mountain biking and let them experience the joy it can bring. Everyone is welcome to join us on the FIRST Thursday of the month March through August. We generally meet at Mad Dog Cycles in Orem at 5:30 pm, but see postings for more details.

07 March 2011

Ladies Night Out

This month Mad Dog Cycles  have their 4th Annual Ladies Night Out event. They are excited to extend an invitation to all of you to attend. Assuming that you area
A. female, of course, and
B. interested in cycling.
If you don't meet condition A. well then feel free to encourage those you know who are female to join us.

Please RSVP via our Facebook Event page.

When: March 24th
Where: Mad Dog Cycles in Orem 360 E. 800 S.
Time: 6p.m. - 8 p.m.
Who: Just the ladies

So what's happening you ask and why should you come?

Well here's the run down.

They'll have food, even using table cloths and a provide a nice arrangement of yummy treats and fruit and other items in lovely display. (yeah, no pizza and chips casually thrown on to the counter for rapid consumption). It will be refined! Well, as refined as a bike shop can be.

They'll have experts, who will give short presentations on a variety of subjects including: nutrition, flat repair and Stans No Tubes set up, Riding a 100 Miler and Bike fitting, Mountain Biking and our Ride Like a Girl events, Bike Commuting and riding with Kids.

Visit them all and get your agenda stamped and you can be entered in the drawing for fabulous prizes! Yes they do mean fabulous! Helmets, clothing, Powerbar items and more fabulous stuff.

They'll have a Fashion Show! Come see the latest and greatest gear for women. Watch your friends strut their stuff in Lycra no less! Yes it will be entertaining AND informative. (For the record this idea came from other women, not from the dudes at the shop! That's what they are saying anyway.)

Buy Night and Raffle. The other benefit to the evening will be the opportunity to enjoy great deals available to just the Ladies at this event.
  • 10% off any 2011 model bike purchase
  • 20% off all regular priced Parts and Accessories (includes clothing)
  • Half off our professional bike fitting service. $150 value for $75. That's a great deal, just schedule your appointment and pay that night
  • And our special Re-tune promotion will be going on. Get an Overhaul done on your bike in March and you can bring it back in October or November and get a Tune-up for free!
It should be a wonderful evening and I encourage you to attend and to invite your friends. But don't forget to RSVP here on Facebook.

04 March 2011

Empowering

I love the way it feels when I know how to fix something myself. In fact, I can recall being at the first Park City Point 2 Point. It was early morning and everyone was jittery. A guy (who shall remain nameless) was looking for Chris because he (the guy) was having some issues with his front brakes. I was not sure where Chris was, so I asked him what he needed. He quickly explained the situation and it was something I knew how to do. So I did it for him. He was able to race and his brake did not cause him any problems. I felt empowered by this situation--unfortunately it did not help my race any. :)
I understand that not everyone can or wants to be a master mechanic, but I really feel it is important to know the basics. We all know how to put gas in our cars, check tire pressure, window washer fluid, etc. We should also know the basics about our bikes. In the least, we should have the tools so when we do ask or are happened upon "a knight in shining armor" (or a guy on a killer bike) that we don't make them sacrifice anything in helping us out other than a little time.

Items to bring with you:
  • Spare tube
  • Tools (that work for your bike) including a chain breaker
  • Pump and/or CO2
  • Patch kit (tube and/or tire)
  • Water/food 

Things to check periodically (i.e. before each ride)
  • Tire pressure and/or sealant
  • Chain (it may need lubing)
  • Tap the brake
  • Spin the wheels