I am not sure if it was growing up with an older brother or just growing up as a ‘tom boy’ in the 80’s but pretty much any non traditional sport I was just thrown the equipment and was told to try to keep up. Skiing, biking, skateboarding, etc.

Of course I biked around my neighborhood streets and through the park. I loved the freedom my blue Schwinn bike with blue, white and gold streamers gave me. I could ride anywhere!

As high school came around, I rode my bike less and drove my car and felt a similar sense of freedom. But now my bike was on the back of my car and I was riding some dirt trails with roots and loose gravel. I felt pretty cool driving around with my bike and having some scratches on my legs from branches and my pedals. My guy friends would meet me in the parking lot and then I was trying to keep close to their tire while trying not to choke on the dust.

Fast forward to college. I went from dirt trails of the Chicago suburbs to the dirt trails of Whistler, Canada. Little did I know when I made plans with my then boyfriend to ride in Whistler what actual mountain bike trails were. I came in hot headed. I had been riding my bike since I was a kid. I would even jump off small tree roots on to dirt…… (crowd laughs). Whistler should be fun! Long story short, I was in tears and throwing profanities around just riding the fire access road into the trail system. I was in way over my head. 

Many years later and many mellow trails later, I heard about an all ladies mountain bike camp, Dirt Series. I really wanted to feel more confident on my bike, so a friend and I signed up.

It was a two day camp with skill sessions in the morning in a controlled environment. Then the afternoons were spent riding the local trails. This camp blew me away!! I never knew you could practice bike skills like you could practice skills for any other sport.

The coaches laid a strong foundation of the riding fundamentals. These skills are crucial to move on to more intermediate skills. We spent the afternoons on the trail where we would stop and ‘session’ and obstacle. This was such a confidence builder for me. Usually, I would just walk over an obstacle or ride around it. We stoped before it. Looked at the line we would take. We would talk about the skills we learned in the morning and how those applied to the obstacle in front of us.

Being a participant that weekend sent me along an amazing trail of loving mountain biking so much that a couple years later I became a certified instructor. Now I get to be the one that helps riders improve their foundational skills. I get to be the one to cheer them on as they conquer an obstacle. I get to be the one to see their eyes light up when their mind and body connect the skills. It is the best job around!

You don’t have to try to keep up or get on the bike and hope you can get down the trail safely. You can make the choice to improve your skills in a safe, fun,,and encouraging environment. I so wish I had the choice when I was learning.

Sign up for a camp! Norco Dirt Series is hosting a camp in Monterey on Sept 17th & 18th. They are allowing me to pass on a 20 % off code for any Girls Rock ladies that want to attend a camp. Use this code at check out: DSALPFEFF

Allison Pfefferkorn is a longtime Girls Rock Volunteer. She spent many years as a professional mountain bike coach and guide at Mt Hermon Adventures and is now a Dirt Series coach.