21 women attended the KCOI / Boulevard sponsored inaugural Womens’ Only Cyclocross Clinic on Saturday, September 17th. Many of them were first time racers intrigued by descriptions of cyclocross.
Stacey, Manager at the Trek Bicycle Store of Kansas City provided detail on bike fit and set up for ‘cross racing, a few bottle cages were removed, and the drills began. The women learned tips and techniques for getting off their bikes while the bikes were still moving. They practiced some, they laughed, they practiced some more.
Then they learned to jump back on the bike, sliding over the saddle and finding the pedals. They practiced again. Running a few steps and then leaping onto bikes in long lines. This part was a little harder…but there was still some good natured laughter.
Moments later the women had perfectly good bikes perched upon their shoulders as they ran over a set of two barriers specially designed for those new to ‘cross. A couple of runs through a series of tight turns formed by cones and they were ready to put the whole set of new skills together in a 15 minute session of "at your own pace" training on a mini cross course complete with off camber hills, twists and turns, a set of barriers and a little bit of pavement.
Thanks to the generosity of Boulevard Brewery’s support for Womens Racing, participants received coupons for free entry to two upcoming races, the Lanterne Rouge race in Leavenworth on October 9th, and the Boulevard Cup race on October 30th. Additional thanks go to the Trek Bicycle Store of Kansas City, Kansas City Orthopedic Institute, The City of Merriam, the KCOI/Boulevard Racing team and the Slimen Und Grossen news team.
Ladies – Hope to see you at the races!