Ride Like a Girl

Caution!

2011-10-02T19:59:00.000-06:00

Just a word of caution. Bike thefts are on the rise. Laura's LOCKED bike was stolen last week. Here is what she said:
my 2011 Trek Fuel 5 Ex WSD got stolen last night on BYU Campus, it was locked up and I have just been riding it to school till I got my old one fixed. It is a minty green, grey and white and mine has after market blue pedals. And a few small nicks in the paint on the frame. I was just letting you guys know so you could keep and eye out for it since you see a lot of bikes everyday.

Bikes are also being stolen from people's garages. And the local shops. One guys bike showed up at a pawn shop, but due to some logistics he still had to pay the shop $400 to get it back.

I would suggest keeping track of the serial numbers of your bikes. This will help track them should something ill fated happen. Let's just be careful and keep an eye out.

And my deepest condolences to Laura. Hope they can find it.

Are you coming on September 1st?

2011-08-28T19:28:00.001-06:00

I know school has started for the kiddos and summer seems like it is over. But can you fit in one last Ride Like a Girl? That is the question. If you can let me know. If not then I won't worry about it. I can use the rest, but could incorporate a ride if there are takers.

"What ride?" you ask. Great question. Here is where my thoughts and ideas had led me. We would meet around 7 or 7:30 pm either at the trail head for Big Springs or Timp Park for the gear swap*. After 30-60 minutes or however long it takes, we will get the bikes together, lights situated, and hit the trail as it gets dark.

Night riding? Lights? Yep. Riding in the dark with lights is an awesome experience. It is crazy fun. If you want to ride, but you don't have lights let me know. I have extras but will need to charge them if they are going to be borrowed. Plus I need to know to bring them. I will need at least 24 hour notice to ensure they get charged and are ready to go. Leave a comment.

But really I need to know so I can plan my rest/training for the week. Thoughts?

*Gear Swap? So I have accumulated items that I don't need or use. For example, I have some old riding shoes, jerseys, vests, tire levers, etc. That just sit around my house/drawers/shelves. I am going to bring them and if anyone wants them, they can take them. I imagine you might have some similar stuff. Extras that are just cluttering things up. Bring them and see if anyone is interested. One girl's "junk" is another girl's "treasure".

Can't Win this Summer

2011-08-05T07:20:00.000-06:00

It has been a rough summer for Ride Like a Girl thus far. One would think Mother Nature would be on our side, but she has posed herself as more a foe than friend. But we are persistent if nothing else.
As afternoon clouds and showers rolled into the valley, I started scanning weather.com, the local radar, and even called Sundance to see if we could make this happen. The initial storm seem short and swift. The sun poked out and things started to brighten up. We were on.
With the Ridge as our destination, I was really excited. I love the Ridge and the thought of sharing it with those who had never ridden it fed my anticipation. There is nothing like seeing the joy new, sweet single track can bring to another.
Our numbers were few (3). As we got to the trail head another storm was brewing. We hoped it would skirt us--I know, cute, huh. But it didn't. It hit starting with a light sprinkle, to increasing rain, and then some hail. Ugh! It was short though it brought with it some significant moisture.
We tried one trail but turned around. Then another. Both were too muddy. Alas we took to the road in an effort to salvage the evening. We headed down the sunnier AF side and turned around by Altamont and started climbing. None of us has appropriate bikes for this, but it was something.
It always amazes me though. While this was far from a "great" ride, it will definitely be a memorable one. Thanks to Jen and Elise for being such steadfast lil' mountain bikers. In the end, it really was good times.

Muddy, but happy

Mud is a "Badge of Honor"

One more try in September? Night Ride? Gear Swap? Who is in?

Riding the Ridge!

2011-08-02T21:28:00.000-06:00

We are going to hit up the Ridge on Thursday night. Meeting at Mad Dog Cycles at 5:30 pm and then heading up Provo Canyon to the top of the Alpine Loop. It is going to be de-light-ful.

Looking Ahead

2011-07-25T20:36:00.000-06:00

I cannot believe the summer is almost over. Wow! Where did it go? Oh yeah. It started way late and then got overrun by weeds. I might be a little bitter.
So this is what I was thinking, but it is still just thoughts.
We put the gear swap off one more month. If we do it in September, we could do it later and then do a night ride afterwards? Whadda ya think? A warm September night ride. Does that sound as good to you as it does to me?
But before we get to September, we need to do August. Any trail suggestions? Leave comments here or on facebook. I need the feedback otherwise I feel like a dictator. C'mon talk to me.

Second Chance

2011-07-13T07:16:00.000-06:00

We got rained out last week. It poured for a bit and then let up, but the damage was done to the trails.
This week--as in tomorrow--my husband and I are leading the standard Mad Dog Group Ride. You are, as always, invited to join us. Same thing, meet at Mad Dog in Orem @ 5:30 pm. We are thinking about hitting the Ridge trail up Provo Canyon which is always a good time.

July Update

2011-07-04T19:11:00.000-06:00

Still planning on Big Springs/South Fork this week. We are going to forgo the gear swap this month. There will likely be several individuals who are going to try to squeeze this ride in and may have to leave early. Additionally, this will give us all an opportunity to gather alll the items that we are ready to part with.

Additionally, we are going to leave right at 5:30 pm on Thursday to accommodate the tight schedule and this will give the rest of us more opportunity to ride. If you are running late just give the shop a quick call by 5:30 so we know you are coming and can make sure we find you.

July!

2011-07-01T07:49:00.000-06:00

After thoroughly enjoying your Independence Day celebration, join me on Thursday for Ride Like a Girl. We are going to ride Big Springs/South Fork. This will be ideal as it is higher up (i.e. cooler) but still close.
Meet at Mad Dog Cycles on Thursday July 7th @ 5:30 pm. We will then carpool up the canyon to the trail head.
Additionally, we have been extended an opportunity to get a group discount on a Skills Camp. Anyone interested? They are holding some in UT and CO. See the schedule here.
And I was thinking of doing a gear swap? Do you have MTB gear or clothes just hanging around that you want to get rid of? If so, we could meet up and trade items. I know I have lots of old jersey (not chamois though that is kinda gross) and what not that I don't wear anymore but don't feel DI is the best place for them. Let me know if you are interested.

Dutch Hollow for June?

2011-05-27T11:10:00.000-06:00

I was thinking of Dutch Hollow for next week's Ride Like a Girl. More info can be found here. While we are going to meet at Mad Dog Cycles in Orem at 5:30 pm, I included directions below so that you can be prepared for the commute.

This area was a lot of fun last year. I am excited to go back.

And don't forget you can get updates on Facebook.

How to get there:
From Provo Canyon, drive east to the end of Deer Creek Reservoir. Right where the water ends, turn left (north) on U-113. Zero your odometer. Drive north 3.8 miles into Midway, and turn right (east) as U-113 turns right in the middle of town. 0.4 miles later (mile 4.2), turn left (north) on 400 East (River Road). This is the road that goes just to the west of the memorial hill. At mile 5.4 you'll hit a traffic circle. Take the first exit (not the driveway, though), so you'll turn from north to east. At mile 6.1, a sign points you to Dutchman Hollow - Dutch Canyon. Turn left and drive 0.5 mile on pavement. The pavement ends at a turnaround where the Dutchman Way trail begins, GPS N 40° 32.495' W 111° 27.224'. Turn right downhill at the sign for Wasatch Mountain State Park. The preferred parking area is 0.3 miles down the gravel road to your right. Trailhead info (and bathroom) is at GPS N 40° 32.704' W 111° 27.187'

Lambert Park it is!

2011-05-02T21:24:00.000-06:00

We are going to hit Lambert Park on Thursday. It should be great. We will meet at Mad Dog Cycles at 5:30 pm and then head towards the trail around 5:40. We will regroup at the Bowery Parking lot, probably around 6:15 or so.
If you live North of the Shop and want to simply meet at the trailhead that is doable. But I need an RSVP of sort so that I can bring enough waivers. Don't forget that a helmet (and bike of course) are mandatory.
See you on Thursday!

It is almost May

2011-04-29T18:05:00.000-06:00

Ride Like a Girl is next week, May 5th. Start thinking warm, sunny thoughts for Thursday afternoon and evening. And put a stop to any rain dancing you might see.
I was thinking that Lambert Park might be a good choice, but they are shutting down a lane of traffic between Lindon and American Fork. Do you think that will have a substantial impact on travel time to the trail head? Who lives up there? We can always hit Lambert next month. I was also thinking Dutch Hollow, but heard it might still be wet. It is definitely spring in UT!
So needless to say I am thinking about it. If you have thoughts, ideas, or preferences let me know. Otherwise I will continue to stew for a bit and hopefully make a decision early next week.
Hope to see you there!
Where? Mad Dog Cycles in Orem
When? 5:30 pm

Plan A

2011-04-06T08:39:00.000-06:00

If it doesn't rain too much, we are going to plan on Lambert Park for Thursday (in 2 days!). Plan on being at the shop right at 5:30. We won't have time to wait very long for stragglers. I know some of you live up in that area so if you plan on coming but not making it to the shop, let me know. I can bring a waiver for you to sign.

Directions:

Take I-15 to the Alpine/Highland exit, just south of Point-of-the-Mountain. Drive straight east 5 miles towards the mountains, turning left at the stoplight in Highland (where you see the grocery store and gas station). Drive 2 miles north into Alpine to the 4-way stop at 200 North. Turn right. At the next stop sign, turn left. You'll be on 200 East, which becomes Grove Drive. Continue northeast on Grove for two miles. The road will turn 90 degrees to the right. Pass two streets on your left, then arrive at a T in the road. Turn right, across the river. At the fork in the road, go right for the Bowery parking area. Pass the High Bench dirt road on your right. About 300 feet further up the paved road, keep straight as the main road turns right, entering a smaller road. The Bowery pavilion is on the left, 500 feet up the dirt road, with a parking lot on the right. (Toilet, pavilion, water.)

Plan B

If it does get wet and the trails are questionable, but the weather is nice enough we will hit Bonneville Shoreline in Provo. This trail handles water really well. I will update Facebook on Thursday afternoon. We will meet at the shop at 5:30 and then carpool.

first ride of the year

2011-04-04T08:08:00.000-06:00

the first ride like a girl is this week. i am excited. so the general plan is to meet at mad dog cycles in orem at 5:30 pm. we will sign waivers, do a quick introduction, figure out if carpooling make sense for anyone and head to a trail head.
which trail head? that i am not sure about yet. any suggestions? i have ridden above timp park and bonneville. does anyone know if anything else is dry yet? leave a comment.

Ladies Night Out

2011-03-07T16:19:00.000-07:00

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.

Empowering

2011-03-04T07:33:00.000-07:00

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

Maintenance Night

2011-02-26T08:22:00.000-07:00

The first Ride Like a Girl will be Thursday March 3rd. Don't worry about the weather or trails, we are staying inside. This night will be an opportunity to review some basic bike maintenance. I am planning on going over how to set up tires tubeless, adjusting brakes, fixing a chain, etc. So come with questions. If you have bike tools, bring those as I will try to create opportunities for you to do some hands on training. It would be best for you to understand YOUR bike tools. If you don't have bike tools, we will discuss different options and why you may want to have some.
When: March 3
Time: 5:30 pm
Place: Mad Dog Cycles Orem

Shake Off Winter

2011-02-11T17:00:00.000-07:00

Is it just me or has winter been harsh this year? I still have snow from December in my yard. This winter season seems to have brought more than its share of snow and cold. I am about done with it. I am looking forward to warmer weather...and riding!
On the way to warm weather riding though, there are still a couple of stops along the way. First, I need to hear from you. Who wants a maintenance "Ride Like a Girl" in March? And if you do, what do you want to cover? How to "Stan's" a wheel? Change a tire? Fix a chain?
And mark your calendars for Thursday, March 24th. That is going to be Mad Doc Cycles "Ladies Night Out". They have some big plans this year. So even if you have been in the past, you will want to come again this year. It should be awesome.
And I am trying to put together a Facebook page--MTB Ride Like a Girl. This will hopefully will make it easier to stay informed.

Almost done with this type of riding

Riding the Ridge

2010-08-06T07:33:00.000-06:00

Carrie, Wendy, Beth, Janalyn, Jen

Everyone calls it something different. I have always known it as the "Ridge Trail". We met at the top of the loop and crossed the road. We climbed for a bit and did some descending, ending up at Mud Springs. We took a right and climbed up and then flew down the what is often referred to as "Joy" (for good reason). There were some puddles up to that point and we thought the climb could be pretty wet, so we skipped the dirt climb and came up the road from Cascade Springs. We were back before we knew it. The temps were cool, the trails were just damp for the most part, and it was a great evening to be riding bikes with the girls.
I have been asked about whether we are going to do it next month. It is not necessarily scheduled, but if I have interest and trail suggestions I could be talked into it. Leave some comments and let me know.

August!?

2010-07-30T11:31:00.000-06:00

Wow, I cannot believe it is almost August. Where did the summer go? For our Ride Like a Girl on August 5th, we are going to head up the Canyon. I will be going up Provo Canyon because it is closer to Mad Dog Cycles (in Orem) where we will meet at 5:30 pm. We will leave promptly and head up to the top of the Alpine Loop. We will hit some sweet single track in that area. It is going to be fun.

Good Group and Good Times

2010-07-02T07:53:00.000-06:00

We had a good group last night out at Dutch Hollow. Some of the regulars from last year were back in attendance, like Jen, Jessica, Jolene. Anderea, this year's die hard was definitely there. Then we had some great new comers Leslie, Beth, Stephanie, and Kathy.

Jen, Stephanie, Kathy, Andrea

Leslie, Beth, Jess

Jen, Jess, Beth, Andrea, Leslie, Jolene, Stephanie

Andrea, Jess, Jolene

Jen, Beth, Leslie

Grandma's Stephanie and Kathy (yes, Grandma)

Andrea, with input from Jen and Jolene, picked a nice route. Some steady climbs and super fun descents. We hit Aqueduct and Barrell for some down hill whoopee flow. Twice. It was that good. We also hit part of Sage and Cottontail. In all it was a really fun group. Hope to see everyone again!

Jen

Andrea

Leslie

Beth

Jolene

Stephanie

Kathy (on her 1st MTB ride)

July 1st Plan

2010-06-25T08:23:00.000-06:00

We are going to ride Dutch Hollow. More info can be found here. I have only been there one time, but it is a cool little network of trails. Andrea is well acquainted and has volunteered to help guide this ride. (Right, Andrea?) While we are going to meet at Mad Dog Cycles in Orem at 5:30 pm, I included directions below. I will see you there.

From Provo Canyon, drive east to the end of Deer Creek Reservoir. Right where the water ends, turn left (north) on U-113. Zero your odometer. Drive north 3.8 miles into Midway, and turn right (east) as U-113 turns right in the middle of town. 0.4 miles later (mile 4.2), turn left (north) on 400 East (River Road). This is the road that goes just to the west of the memorial hill. At mile 5.4 you'll hit a traffic circle. Take the first exit (not the driveway, though), so you'll turn from north to east. At mile 6.1, a sign points you to Dutchman Hollow - Dutch Canyon. Turn left and drive 0.5 mile on pavement. The pavement ends at a turnaround where the Dutchman Way trail begins, GPS N 40° 32.495' W 111° 27.224'. Turn right downhill at the sign for Wasatch Mountain State Park. The preferred parking area is 0.3 miles down the gravel road to your right. Trailhead info (and bathroom) is at GPS N 40° 32.704' W 111° 27.187'

A couple of riding opportunities

2010-06-07T19:50:00.000-06:00

So this Thursday Mad Dog Community Ride is going to be at Lambert Park. This is open to all who are interested, but it is a good trail for those who don't enjoy the climbs so much. Standard protocol though--meet at Mad Dog Cycles in Orem at 5:30 pm. Departure time is usually by 5:40 at the very latest. Jessika is one of the ride leaders this week so look for her. It should be a good time.

If you are looking for an all girls ride, there is a ride in Corner Canyon at 5:30 pm also on Thursday. If you have never ridden in Corner Canyon, it might be fun to see how the other half ride. While UT County is primarily old hunting/deer trails, Corner Canyon is all man created. So while there are some steep pitches here and there, it is much more flowy both up and down. There are not quite so many sustained steep climbs. It is a really nice area. They are meeting at Corner Canyon Equestrian Center (maps.google.com) 1266 East 13400 South, Draper, UT 84020-9767.

Just keeping you in the loop.

Big Springs

2010-06-06T14:59:00.000-06:00

Andrea, Jolene, Kathy, Janalyn, and Jessika joined my on Thursday for a lap or two at Big Springs. The weather was ideal. It was warm in the valley, but a bit chilly getting ready. I even tossed some arm warmers in my jersey pockets just in case. I did not need them though.
We stopped at the road crossing and practiced unwaiting the front wheel and/or bunny hopping a small log. Everyone made the first steep section past the road. We regrouped before the descent and before entering the meadow.
It was a great group. I took some pictures, but they were with my phone so some of them did not turn out so well.

It is almost June 3rd

2010-05-29T07:17:00.000-06:00

On Thursday June 3rd, we will have Ride Like a Girl. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate and it will be a beautiful summer (technically late spring) night. Attendance has been low thus far (Andrea and Tracy are troopers), but hopefully this one will be better. I am thinking Big Springs. We will meet at Mad Dog Cycles in Orem at 5:30 pm and then go over to the trail (which is always subject to change).

I should also mention that I will be out of town on Tuesday and Wednesday--I have Girls Camp--so if you have questions or comments and I don't respond that would be why.

May 20th

2010-05-19T07:40:00.001-06:00

Okay, so technically the advanced Ride Like a Girl is supposed to be on Thursday. But I am bailing. Let me give my excuse and then some options though.
My excuse: I got a new bike. It is really, really sweet. But I am terrible at riding it. Really! I switched from grip shift which calls for a simple flick of the wrist to Sram trigger shifters. And before the grip shift, I rode Shimano. The point being I cannot remember which thumb lever goes up and which goes down under pressure. Needless to say, I need to get this down by the weekend's ICUP race. So when the Weekly Race Series announced they were again moving their Wednesday night race to Thursday, I realized that I needed to opt out of Ride Like a Girl so that I can practice in a race format.
Option 1: That being said I know there a few of you, okay more like several of you, are likely going to be doing the Weekly Race Series anyway. And if you have never done one of these, I would highly recommend it. It is a great, laid-back atmosphere to try your legs at racing.
Option 2: Mad Dog Cycles hosts a group ride on Thursdays. This week the Hodnetts--Tim and Jen--are hosting it. So there is still a group ride taking place and you don't have to worry about being the only girl, because Jen will be there. These are really laid back and you will fit in just fine.
There you have it. I will do Ride Like a Girl for sure on June 3rd even if the mid-week race gets bumped again for weather.
See you on the trails.

Chilly Times @ Lambert Park

2010-05-06T23:03:00.000-06:00

Andrea and Tracy braved the colder weather to join me at Lambert Park tonight. It was a good time. The trails were in great shape as was expected. Tracy made some great progress. Both Andrea and I were pretty spent from the Weekly Race Series last night. But we still got some practice cornering.
Ride Like a Girl is off to a slow start, but I am optimistic and pointing to the weather for the low attendance. Hope more will join us next time--Tracy said she would come back and I am holding her to it.

It is May...

2010-05-03T07:52:00.001-06:00

and the weather is looking delightful. We are going to meet at Mad Dog Cycles in Orem at 5:30 pm on May 6th. After we have gathered, we will jump in our cars, head to a trail, and go ride our bikes. The big decision is what trail to ride. I have been hunkerin' (is that the right word?) for some Lambert Park. I am assuming that it is dry and in good repair. Those of you in the area, could you verify?

If not Lambert then something by the mouth of Provo Canyon as a back up. Who is with me?

Map of Lambert Park Trails

Directions:

The Extra

2010-04-12T22:09:00.000-06:00

We are going to have a supplemental Ride Like a Girl. This is going to be a contingency of women that tags along with the regularly scheduled Mad Dog Group Ride. It is going to be less formal--more like a standard group ride. It will be less instructive and a quicker, more consistent pace.
We are meeting at Mad Dog Cycles in Orem at 5:30 pm. We are going to be riding Whiting Trail in Mapleton. It should be fun.

No Show

2010-04-03T20:14:00.000-06:00

So on Thursday I woke up to snow. Driving into Provo for work, it was apparent that they did not get as much snow as we did a little further South. I watched the weather throughout the day and it never really got sunny. But I figured since it was not actually snowing or raining, that I could not rightfully cancel. Although, I was not so excited to ride.
On the way to the shop, I thought it was cold, but maybe it will not be so bad.
I arrived to at the shop around 5:25. No one was there yet. So I waited and waited and then waited a little longer. I stayed until 5:45 and then I assumed that everyone decided that it was a bit too cold. I was relieved.
Better luck next time.

2010 Outlook

2010-03-26T16:26:00.000-06:00

So at Trek's Ladies Night I had an opportunity to plug "Ride Like a Girl" and talk a bit about the plans for the summer. Here is the scoop for those who missed it.
First, Ride Like a Girl will be run like years past. We will meet on the first Thursday at 5:30 pm at Mad Dog Cycles in Orem. This is a little bit earlier, but it will give us more time to ride. We will go over the basics and build on them throughout the summer.
While the first Thursday is for "Girls Only", Mad Dog Race Team will be hosting guided rides on the other Thursdays of the month for all--boys and girls. You of course are invited to join those also.
Coinciding with that on the third Thursday of the month, I am inviting the more advanced riders from Ride Like a Girl to join me for a girls contingency. Essentially, we will join the guys or do our own thing. This will be more of a woman's group ride with a more consistent pace.
So that is the plan and I hope you will join me. And for April 1st, I have not decided where we will ride. Maybe around the mouth of the canyon or Bonneville Shoreline in Orem. Both are pretty dry so far.

Ladies Night 2010

2010-03-23T07:53:00.000-06:00

Ladies Night Out 2010

Click HERE or come into one of our stores to RSVP.

This year's format is "Open House" style. Refreshments provided.

Product raffle and extra discounts for those in attendance!

Questions? Call us at 801.222.9577 or visit us online at www.MadDogCycles.com

March 18th Update

2010-03-16T07:31:00.000-06:00

So we are on for March 18th at Mad Dog Cycles in Orem. It will be from 6-7 pm. Bring your multi-tool. If you do not have one I would seriously consider looking at what the shop as to offer. Having a bike tool and knowing how to use it is essential. I am a big fan of the Crank Bros. But Parks Tools and others are good also.

Also, LADIES NIGHT is next Wednesday, the 24th, from 6-8. The format is new this year, and should be lots of fun. RSVP at www.maddogcycles.com

It's Back

2010-03-08T20:47:00.000-07:00

I am bringing this site out of hibernation. It was a long rough winter and I am excited to be riding. Yes, Ride Like a Girl is going to happen again this year. It is still on the first Thursday, but I bumped up the time a bit. I figure if we meet at 5:30 we should be leaving by the shop by 6 pm. This will give us more time to really ride. If you have a tough time getting to Mad Dog by this time just leave a comment and I will work with you. I don't want this change to exclude anyone!

The first meeting though is going to be a prep. On March 18th (not the first Thursday, obviously), I am going to do a recap of simple bike maintenance. This is going to be minor things that may happen while out on the trail. Just simple things like fixing a flat, a broken chain, adjusting brakes, etc. I need to check with the shop on time. I will update shortly.

This will be a great time to get your bike out and give it a once over.

Check this out.

2009-10-27T08:21:00.001-06:00

We (The Weekly Race Series) will be holding a Cyclocross style race this Thursday, October 29th on the Euclid property in Heber starting at 5:30 p.m. This is a just for fun race for training. We will have 3 categories to choose from: Category 1 - 5 laps, Category 2 - 4 laps, Category 3 - 3 laps, each category should take approx: 40 min. and will start 1 minute behind the previous category. There will be a $1 entry fee with the entire take being raffled off to 3 lucky people after the race. Bring your single speeds, mountain bikes, and cyclocross bikes and join in the fun. If you have any questions send us an email through the help tab above. For an interactive view of the course click here.

It should be a lot of fun. Cyclocross is a mix of mountain biking and road riding on a short track length course. Just bring your mountain bike and do some circles. It is very spectator friendly so bring the family.

Night Ride?

2009-09-22T10:54:00.002-06:00

So you want a night ride, really? I can do a night ride. What time are we thinking? 6:30 or 7 pm. At Big Springs? I am so in.
And maybe in November we can do skills practice at Timp Park. You know jumping things, working on wheelies, fun stuff like that. It translates to better bike handling on the trails.

2009-09-04T07:04:00.002-06:00

Last night Ride Like a Girl went up the canyon, way up. We started at the top of the Alpine Loop (Ridge Trail parking lot) and headed down towards Cascade Springs. I am not sure the name of the trail, but it is the one that the forest service and a lot of mountain bikers worked on improving over the summer. Then we came back up the same way. It is a nice steady climb. The temps were cool heading down but very comfortable climbing.
We had some extra time before dark and the plan was to hit the top portion of Jurassic Park or Summit Trail. There was some confusion though. And the group got split up on the climb. Some went towards the Ridge Trail unbeknown to the others. Bad information was passed and I ended up looking for them down the wrong trail. I ultimately turned around after getting the impression that they would not have gone this far. My impression was right. As I crested the parking lot they were there. I was so relieved.
There were apologies, but really deep down I was a bit proud of them after I got over the fear. They did not just get to the parking lot and just hang out. They went on. They thought that there was some time for them to get more riding in and tried to capitalize on it. That is an attitude I can respect. In fact, everyone seemed to do that. There are just quite a few options at the top.
We had a great showing--a whole gaggle of girls. It was lots of fun. Thanks to those who attended.

2009-09-02T09:58:00.003-06:00

Thursday the plan is to meet and leave by 6:00. So get there a little bit earlier. We are heading up Provo Canyon. We will park at the trail head at the top of the Alpine Loop and hit the dirt from there. You may need some cash to get past the guard house.
Light may be an issue depending on how soon we get up there and start riding. It is pretty dark by 8:15 or 8:30 pm. So if you have small lights , you may want to have them just in case. I will bring some extras. I don't anticipate needing anything super bright barring anything catastrophic--no mechanicals. :)

September???

2009-08-24T07:42:00.002-06:00

Who wants a Ride Like a Girl in September? Trail suggestions? Shoot me some ideas.
This just came to me...night ride? Half and half. Hmmm....

2009-08-08T17:49:00.002-06:00

It was a small group on Thursday and I almost left before Jolene and Kendra showed up. The three of us chatted for a while and then did Bonneville South. We parked at the 8th North Park and Ride in Orem by the mouth of Provo Canyon. We took the paved trail to Bridal Veil Park and jumped on Bonneville. We went at a good pace stopping periodically to regroup and/or share trail spurs we had ridden. We descended the switch backs above Canyon Road and returned to the cars. It was a perfect night for a ride--a nice breeze.
It was too bad there were not more people there to enjoy it. The three of us did seem to have fun though.
I am planning on September. Hope to see you there.

2009-08-01T20:09:00.002-06:00

Ride Like a Girl is Thursday at 6 pm. We are meeting at Mad Dog is Orem. I have Girl's Camp this week, but will be back Thursday afternoon. Honestly, I am not sure where we are going to ride. We will figure it out though.

2009-07-03T11:16:00.002-06:00

Yesterday we hit South Fork (Big Springs). Even with threatening skies, we had nine of us including myself. The weather was actually really nice. It was overcast and it sprinkled just a bit every now and then. The trail was really good though. We did two loops of fun.

2009-06-29T08:07:00.002-06:00

In case you missed it on Thursday, there is another Dirt Demo for WSD bikes on Tuesday from 3-7 pm at Lambert Park. Details can be found here. I was able to ride a Trek Top Fuel last week.

And, of course, Ride Like a Girl is on for Thursday. See post below.

2009-06-26T07:33:00.003-06:00

I can not believe that June is almost done. It flew by. Which means July's Ride Like a Girl is just around the corner. I am set and ready to go for July 2nd (Thursday). Meet up at Mad Dog Cycles in Orem at 6 pm. We will congregate for a minute or two and then head out to South Fork or Big Springs.
This will be a great way to kick off your 4th of July weekend. Hope to see you there.

2009-06-23T15:24:00.002-06:00

I just got this from Mad Dog this morning:

Tori from Trek will be at Timp park this Thursday with bikes to demo. Will you pass the word to your Ride Like a Girl group? They will have the opportunity to ride wsd (woman specific design) full suspension bikes up on the race course etc. 4:00 till dark.

I will probably try to get there just after 4 and maybe go on a quick ride. I have meeting at 6:30 that evening that I need to attend so that will cut my time short.

This is a great opportunity to try new and different bikes on trails instead of test riding in a parking lot.

2009-06-05T07:13:00.002-06:00

Last night we all met at Lambert Park and had a ball riding the single track. By all I mean, fifteen of us. That is the biggest group yet to attend Ride Like a Girl. Thanks so much to everyone who attended. I know there were a couple that wanted to be there, but just could not make it. Next time hopefully.

the single track smiles (minus two who snuck away before the photo op)

2009-06-02T07:00:00.002-06:00

We are meeting at Mad Dog Cycles on Thursday June 4th by 6:00 pm. From there we will figure out rides--it may make sense to carpool on this one--and head up to Alpine. We are going to Lambert Park. We will meet at the Bowery.

Directions:

This should be really fun. Hope to see you there.

2009-05-29T07:57:00.003-06:00

Ride Like a Girl keeps sneaking up on me this year. It must be the first week thing. My apologies, but thanks to those of you who mention it and remind me.

We are definitely on for June 4th. We will meet at 6:30 pm (correction this should have read 6:00--sorry Patty) at Mad Dog Cycles in Orem as we always do. "Where are we going?" you ask. I am getting a professional opinion on potential trail conditions, but I am leaning towards Lambert Park.

I have only ridden here a couple of times, but it has always been fun. This network of trails just flows and there is not much climbing. I have just a couple of concerns:

1. Time and distance. Lambert Park is nestled beside the mountain in Alpine which is not as close as Provo Canyon, but it does not get dark until pretty late. And this date is close to the summer solstice.
2. Dust. I am not sure how dusty these trails get in the summer. I imagine they stay pretty dry, but we may get some thundershowers early next week. Then I won't really have to worry about that. And really a little dust never hurt anyone, right?

So this is the tentative plan, but there are lots of other options if this does not work out. So what do you think? Who is with me?

2009-05-10T19:24:00.002-06:00

We had ride like a girl on Thursday. It seems like it took place so long ago, but it has only been a couple of days. We had a good showing. We rode up Bonneville Shoreline from Bridal Veil Falls Park to Squaw Peak Road. We stopped at the switch back climb and practice going down and up. I was really impressed with how quickly everyone increased their skills. This patch of trail can be scary as it there is a drop off. These girls were fearless though.
Keep riding and see you next month.

2009-05-03T13:37:00.003-06:00

Who is up for a ride on Thursday? The weather early this week does not look good, but Wednesday and Thursday look beautiful. Wednesday is mostly sunny with high around 75; Thursday is sunny with high around 70. It does not get much better than that. I love to see this on weather.com!

Sunny

I am still deciding what trail to hit--either something above Timp Park or possibly South Fork. Any requests...

2009-04-04T08:16:00.002-06:00

We have some hard core riders out there. I am way impressed. So Thursday was dreary. I watched the weather pretty closely in the afternoon to see if it would start raining. It looked good until 5 pm when I left work. I got to Mad Dog early and waited and watched. The rain started coming and then it was really coming down. People started showing up asking if the ride was on.
We continued to watch and by 6 pm, it had stopped. We headed to Rock Canyon to hit Bonneville Shoreline. This trail is more rocky and/or sandy which makes it great for wet weather riding. Getting ready in the parking lot was a bit chilly. I had seven girls--Jen, Jessika, Ashlee, Monica, Suzanne, Jana and Andrea-- there and I was stoked. I must admit though that I may have failed a couple of individuals. I should have gone through the real basics, but I made assumptions and the colder weather led me to skip over these. To those individuals I apologize. I should have gone over shifting, braking, etc. I will do better next time for sure. None the less, the group did really well.
The rain came and left. It started to seem like it was going to get nice--please keep in mind this is a relative term, but we were all a little wet and chilled by the end. We only rode for about 70 minutes and worked on momentum which is always fun and sometimes a bit scary. Next time we should ride for be a bit longer though and hopefully it will be warmer.
Thanks to those who came and come again next month. And if you missed it, hope to see you next time.

2009-03-25T21:45:00.002-06:00

So who is planning on joining me next week for a ride? If we get the moisture the meteorologists are suggesting then we will probably hit Bonneville in Provo and head south towards Springville. That portion of the trail is pretty sandy and does not get muddy.
If the forecast improves, then we will plan on riding something around the mouth of the canyon. The old race course or something else equally fun.
Either way, we will meet at Mad Dog Cycles in Orem at 6 pm.

2009-03-06T10:38:00.002-07:00

Ride Like a Girl season has started. I am really excited. I greatly enjoy being able to do these session and really appreciated Mad Dog's willingness to sponsor them. And thanks to those who show up and indulge me.

While the weather and trails were actually ridable last night, we did not spend time on the bikes. Instead we spent the evening learning some simple trail repairs and basic maitenance. Before riders can actually fix or maintain their bikes they need to ensure they have some basic tools. I always ride with the following:
1. A spare tube
2. A multi-tool that includes a chain breaker
3. Tire levers
4. A pump--I have one with a gauge to ensure that I have proper tire pressure
5. Extra links and a quick link for my chain
6. Compressed air (if I am racing)

Why both a pump and compressed air? That is a good question. While compressed air is quick and convenient, it can run out. A pump is much, MUCH slower but it can continually provide air. Running a tubeless system with a sealant (I like and run Stan's), I will alway try to just put air in the tire in hopes it will seal if I get a flat. This works but it can take a lot of air to do it. A pump ensures that I don't run out of said air.

I don't expect everyone to remember how we did everything so here are some links to websites that will remind you how to do what you did.

1. How to fix a flat
2. How to fix a chain
3. Lubing your chain

Remember before you ride or even head out to a trail, always check air pressure and your chain. This will minimize the your chances of having to do it on the trail.

Bonneville Shoreline has been pretty good. You may need to wait a day or so after a storm, but if you can get out and ride. Hope to see you next month--keep April 2nd open.

2009-02-23T19:36:00.005-07:00

Ride Like a Girl minus the ride. On March 5th(that being the first Thursday in March) we are going to have the first Ride Like a Girl. It is going to be more of a pre-ride actually. Bring your bike and you can learn how and do some minor maintenance or "trail fixes".

It is going to be at Mad Dog in Orem at 6:00. Be there a bit early so we can actually start at 6 pm. You are going to be working on your bike, so dress appropriately and bring your bike tools that you would or should be carrying with you during rides--tire levers, multi-tool, pump, etc. Let me know if you plan on coming (leave a quick comment), so I can have a general idea number wise.

2009-02-05T08:48:00.002-07:00

Whahoo. Last night was Ladies Night Out sponsored by Trek and hosted at Mad Dog Cycles. Trek's rep for Woman Specific Design, Tori, came and presented on product offerings and features. She is pretty entertaining. If you missed it you missed out, but you can see if there are other bike shops offering the same service. I think Salt Lake Bicycle Company is doing one tonight.

Tori presenting on WSD

A great turnout

Mad Dog hooked it up though with in store deals. The clincher for me, as usual, was the food. They had these delicious wraps, veggies, and chocolate covered strawberries. Nice.

This gets me excited for riding and hosting another season of Ride Like a Girl. A couple of minor changes though. We are going to stick with Thursdays, but due to my schedule it is going to be the first Thursday of the month instead of third.

We will most likely start in March with a maintenance night. So dust off your bike, but don't worry about much else. We (and by we I mean you) will go over changing a flat, fixing a chain, and other common trail fixes. This would be a perfect time to also leave your bike with the boys at Mad Dog for a quick pre-season tune-up for the more complicated fixes.

Just an example of the fun things you can see while on a bike

2009-01-26T11:29:00.002-07:00

So I was at a museum in Copehagen and fell in love with this piece of art. In my mind this is our predecessor. I just felt empowered by it and thought I would share.

2009-01-23T11:11:00.002-07:00

Ladies Night Out--so tell your husband that he has the kids. When? February 4th @ 7pm. This a Trek bikes initiative for all Women Who Ride or want to get riding. More info can be found here. All you have to do is let them know you are coming.

See you at Mad Dog Cycles!

2009-01-20T14:21:00.003-07:00

Keep February 4th open on your calendar. Plan on something at 7:00 pm. More details are coming...be patient. And dream of rides in weather like this...

I love that blue!

2008-09-23T07:57:00.002-06:00

And the pictures for our last Ride Like a Girl...

Patty, Janalyn, Jessica and Kendra before getting started

Jen and Patty

Jolene

Janalyn

Jessica

Tiffany

Patty

2008-09-20T17:00:00.002-06:00

We had a slight change of plans. It was suggested that we ride South Fork instead of just at Timp Park. It seemed like a good idea. I knew that some people were just meeting us at Timp Park though. On the way up, I swung by and let them know the change of plans. Everyone seemed really open and flexible--thank you. As we drove up, it was obvious that autumn was in the air. The leaves were beginning to change and the temperatures were cool. As everyone (Kendra, Jolene, Jen, Janalyn, Jess, Tiffany, Patty, and myself) got ready, we worked on unweighting, bunny hops and circles.
The pace was good climbing. We had a pretty strong group and no big issues. Sure there was some seat adjusting and a broken chain, but nothing we could not overcome. This brings an idea to mind, maybe we do another Ride Like a Girl, but do it indoors. We could work on bike set up and basic maintenance...hands on sort of stuff. Anyway, it just came to me--if you would be interested leave a comment. Otherwise, this was the last Ride Like a Girl for the year. There is still great riding to be had, but it is difficult to schedule it in with daylight fleeting earlier and earlier.
I had a really good time running it and hopefully those who joined me felt it was worth it. I am planning on doing this again next year. So start looking for info in March.

Pictures to come...I am just having some technical difficulties right now.

2008-09-15T20:56:00.002-06:00

Okay we are going to meet on Thursday at 5 and will leave Mad Dog by around 5:15 and probably just ride up Provo Canyon. We just don't really have time to meet and really go very far. We will have to have Lambert on the schedule for next year when there is tons of light.
If 5 is a bit too early for you, let me know and we can arrange to meet you at the trail head. So be in touch and see you on Thursday.

2008-09-08T18:49:00.002-06:00

I am still planning doing the ride in two weeks. Who is with me? September 18th is the plan. Sunset will be around 7:30, so we will probably need to meet early again. The exact time will depend on where we ride. Any suggestions? I have some ideas but am open to suggestions.

2008-08-22T07:33:00.003-06:00

So the destination of last night's ride was Sundance Resort. Home of some pristine trails, Sundance is a great place to ride especially if you want to work on switchbacks. They have switchbacks a plenty and even as late in the season as it is they are still in good shape. Thanks to Czar for the hook up--it was so appreciated.

After meeting quickly at Mad Dog in Orem, Patty, her friends Kody and Noelle, Katarina, Jolene and Kendra joined me in a caravan to Sundance Resort. We got our bikes together met Heidi and headed to the lift. It is a long ride to the top, but I was able to sit with Heidi who is friendly and the ride did not seem so long.

Noelle

Katarina

Kody and me

At the top we were each handed our bikes. I gave some simple directions to get us to the switchbacks. There were some newbies so I wanted to be sure they took care on the loose gravel road. I had riding in that stuff. Then it was switchback bliss.

I was really impressed with the improvements as we slowly made our way down the mountain. I tried to give pointers to everyone based on what I percieved to be their ability. Just little things like riding smoothly and unweighting and what not.

I think a good time was had by all and hope everyone had an enjoyable worthwhile experience. I know some were disappointed that we did not climb that much which I totally understand. Next time though.

Initially, this endevour of mine--Ride Like a Girl--was to go from April to August. I am going to plan on September though if there is interest. So let me know. It will also obviously depend on the weather, but September and even the beginning of October is usually great for riding. The tentative date then will be September 18th. So look for updates around the 8th.

Thanks to Kendra for the photos!

2008-08-15T11:53:00.003-06:00

I have been hinting about doing something special on Thursday August 21st. In order for it to be successful, we need to meet earlier than normal. I am thinking 5:00 pm at Mad Dog Cycles in Orem and we will roll out just a bit after 5. If you want to be a part of this special treat but that is too early for you, drop me a line and we will see about working something out. You may be able to meet us. I purposefully have not provided too many details because I want it to be a bit of a surprise. Trust me it is good. In my opinion, we are going to ride some of the best trails in the area.

2008-07-18T06:08:00.003-06:00

I have to admit, I was initially a bit disappointed at the start of this month's ride. It was simply a numbers game. While only three girls showed up, it was exciting that this was the first time any of them had participated. Today though when I think about it, it dawned on me that maybe I am doing something wrong because no one came back. I am going to justify it to myself and say that they just got busy with life and summer. That makes me feel much better.

So this month with my three riders (Heidi, Brooke, and Tiffany) we hit South Fork. There was some variances in skill and experience so I felt this trail would be best--beautiful scenery, steady climbing with just a few steep pitches, and a rolling descent.

Heidi, Tiffany, and Brooke

Heidi and Brooke had obviously done some riding before. Tiffany was pretty knew. I think she said she had about 5 rides on her bike. What she lacked in experience she made up in determination. She also had some very innate skills. I was really impressed. Watch out because once she gets her fitness she will be a force to be reckoned with on the trails.

Tiffany trudging up the climb.

Brooke exuded a passion for riding. She had great fitness. She is a roadie, but I think she could easily be converted. We also lost her from the middle of the group. I felt terrible. She made an inconsequential wrong turn and ended up back at the cars. Luckily, she had told me that she was familiar with this trail, so I did not have a complete break down. I tried to play it cool and kept telling myself she would be fine and would be at the parking lot. Thank goodness.

Even with a rubbing brake, Brooke still climbed like no one's business.

Heidi was a dynamo. She had some great skills and fitness. She was a lot of fun. She was railing the descents and smiling the whole time.

Heidi looking forward to the up coming descent.

It was a great group. We had some mild issues, besides losing Brooke. Tiffany had some serious chain suck and it got lodged between her small chain ring and derailleur. I had to spend some time trying to pry it out. Luckily, I got it. Brooke's front wheel was getting some significant drag on her disc from the beginning. I have a theory on that now that I wish I would have had last night. I think her skewer hardware may have been on incorrectly. I knew it looked weird last night, but figured is was a set up I had not seen before. Now I wish Iwould have compared it to her back wheel to see if my initial thought was correct or not.

Hopefully, they each had a good experience and will come back.

2008-07-16T11:33:00.004-06:00

Okay, so my super cool idea is going to be post poned until next month. Plans did not solidify until later than I hoped and I just don't have time to get the word out about meeting earlier, etc. You will definitely want to be part of this learning experience and I will tell a great story that goes with it.
We are still on for Thursday though. I don't have details on where we might be riding because I was going to curtail it to who shows up.
So join us or don't...no, join us!

6 pm at Mad Dog Cycles in Orem

2008-06-24T09:12:00.001-06:00

So next month I have a super fun idea. I still need to work on the logistics, but if it happens be prepared for fun--serious fun. The only hint I am giving is SWITCHBACKS.

Stay posted.

2008-06-20T15:21:00.003-06:00

Jen headed up this months ride and wrote a great review:

We had a fun group of women show up for the event. Patty, Jessika, Jill & I were back for another round and we were joined by some new riders, Diana and Andrea. Most of us met at the Mad Dog in Orem around 6 then carpooled up to the Big Springs trail head (aka South Fork) where we hooked up with Jessika who was waiting for us.
While she was waiting she ran into a couple Mad Dog riders who had just finished a couple loops who warned us about all the caterpillars that were hanging out in the trees that drop down right into the trail and end up covering you with webby, silky thread. I guess they must have cleared the trail for us because it wasn't that bad when we started riding.
We did a little warm up in the parking lot and got started on a climb up the trail. It was absolutely perfect because the weather was a little cool, so it felt good on the uphill. Everyone did really well climbing up the trail and we all enjoyed how beautiful the scenery was with the meadows and the mossy stream. Once we got to the top, it was a ton of fun riding down. Diana put it best when she called it "magical". But I think she really likes the downhill. We only did one loop, but it was a great ride and everyone asked why we didn't do it more often.

2008-06-09T13:20:00.004-06:00

Plan on joining us on June 19th. We will meet at Mad Dog Cycles in Orem by 6 pm and then head to South Fork (above Vivian Park). The trail should be in great shape. This is sure to turn into a favorite. See you there.

2008-05-18T16:31:00.003-06:00

The May 15th ride was a good one. Jen, Kristy, Jeannie, Jessica, Patty, Jill, and I had a good time. I was really impressed with how each individual's confidence grew the longer we rode. We started off at Timpanogo's Park and worked on some skills. We practice sliding the rear wheel for turns and riding in a straight line. Then we headed up to the old race course. The first descent is pretty rocky and it transitions into a steep climb to where the loop begins.

Jeannie

Jessica

We climbed and climbed regrouping from time to time. Then we got to go down hill. I love this descent. I made sure I stopped the group before the loose descent towards the end. I am probably a little too cautious. Everyone attempted this. I was really impressed. We had zero casualties.

Join us next month--June 19th.