Chuck Lewis of Bike Link is leading a women’s only* session on the new flow trail Sunday afternoon! And I’m psyched to announce we have a very special guest…
Pro freerider/dirt-jumper Tammy Donahugh is in the area with the IMBA trail crew, and she has offered to join us. Tammy D has taught women’s clinics all over the country, and this type of riding is her specialty — jumps and berms on playful downhill. She and Chuck (one of the best technical riders in town) will teach us how to jump safely, corner on berms, and do the drops (all optional, of course). If you just want to roll it all safely, that’s fine too.
Note: This is for intermediate and advanced riders only. The Lightning trail has been putting the hurt on a lot of dudes, so it is essential to ride within your ability. If you have any questions or are not sure if this ride is for you, please call Kim at 205-394-3494. We will have at least one Wilderness First Aid certified person on the trail, but you still must sign a release that acknowledges this kind of riding is risky and you may get hurt. (You don’t need to sign anything that acknowledges that you might have a rockin’ great time, improve your skills, and boost your confidence, because mojo is infectious!)
Cost: Free! However, you MUST be a member of BUMP (an IMBA chapter) to attend. That costs just $30 a year and the money goes to trailbuilding efforts (like Tammy’s project in Anniston). Join here (specify the BUMP chapter): http://www.imba.com/membership/individual
Details: We will gather in the parking lot by the BUMP shed around 1:15 and leave at 1:30 to ride to the top of the flow trail. If you’re running behind, just meet us at the trail around 2 p.m.
Equipment: If you have knee/elbow/shin pads, bring ‘em. If not, no biggie. Tammy D suggests that if you have flat pedals (good ones, with the little spikes), it will help you learn the proper jumping technique, because it forces you to pre-load the bike and “claw” the pedals with your feet. (Tammy, feel free to jump in here and elaborate.) However, if you’re just concerned with riding the trail safely (no air), you might stick with your clipless pedals. I felt that I benefited from being “forced” to use flat pedals at Ray’s, but I think I will stay clipped in tomorrow for the added sense of security. (It’s sketchy when you lose contact with the pedals.)
If you’re new to this type of riding, check out Tammy D’s profile page and videos here.
* I have invited one or two well-curated dudes to film. If you don’t want to be filmed, just tell them. If they make you nervous, tell me and I’ll quietly handle it. 
Sooo stoked! Yes, I used ‘stoked’ in a sentence, and that’s saying something!
hey kim do you think you’ll host something like this again in the summer?! i watched the video on the flow trail and it looks like fun.
maggie chickey