A perfect day riding with Mountain Biking Marin

In September 2012, Fredik got in touch with Mountain Biking Marin. He wanted an all day adventure to ride as many Marin trails as possible.

We helped him out reserving his bike, set the logistics on where to meet and what to bring, and planned a great ride for him. We went for an awesome 4.5 hour ride he would have never done by himself.

After a few days he sent us an email saying "Thanks a lot for the awesome day on excellent trails around Marin. It was just fantastic and I will never forget". Fredik also said: "Its cool to spend a day with people you don't know from before when we have a lot of common interests. Enjoyed the after bike beer we had too."

Read about what Fredik has to say about the mountain bike tour in his blog post which also includes pictures and a movie http://fredrik76.wordpress.com/2012/09/21/a-perfect-day/

Riding in China Camp with Celia

Last November, Chris and Andreas contacted Mountain Biking Marin to set up a tour. We took care of all the logistics: transportation, bikes, route selection, guiding services. And they took care of the filming during the tour. Here is what they put together: https://vimeo.com/36227269

China Camp from Andreas Gnutzmann on Vimeo.

Another Successful Clinic!

Last Sunday August 17, Mountain Biking Marin had another successful downhill clinic focused on "air" techniques. Click on this link to read what one of the participants, Andy, posted on his blog about our fun day. Below is an email from another participant, Jason:

"Celia put on a jump clinic for me and my friend Andy, and invited Micheal Brill to help out to help out with the teaching. I'm useless at jumping so they really had their work cut out for them, but they stuck at it and by the end of the day I was far more confidant with getting both wheels off of the ground. My friend Andy (who was a little more advanced with the jumping to start with) came away hitting gaped doubles with style! It's two weeks later, I'm in Whistler, and the proof of their teaching is in the pudding of my riding, as they sit like spectral avatars on my shoulders guiding my technique. On my first day, and I write this testimonial to tell you that I've nailed more than a few 8-10 ft table tops with confidence and in comfort.. .but most of all with a massive grin on my face! Thank you Celia for putting on the clinic, and thanks to Mike for expert guidance through the air.. .you guys gave me the skills to make a great week into an awesome one!" 

~ Jason Spencer-Galsworthy

Intermediate and Advance Downhill Clinic

On Saturday December 11th, a group of 4 great riders (Andy, Meredith, David and Chris) signed up for our last downhill clinic of the year.  It was a great way to close Mountain Biking Marin's 2010 season year.  Brian and Celia were teaching the clinic supported by Michael from Reel Motion Sports who took great videos of the participants to create movies. Click here to watch the super fun group movie that Michael produced! Andy Proctor, one of the participants sent us an email saying: "Hey Celia: Thanks for putting on a great clinic last weekend. Such good fun. I can't wait for the next clinic! I've noticed a big difference in my riding since the clinic.  If things get steep and sketchy, where before I'd loose confidence and go over the bars, now I just relax and settle into it and cope".  Andy also documented the clinic in his personal blog so click here to see cool pictures and read a thorough description of what we did that day including riding gnarly and steep technical DH trails and getting air hitting drops and dirt jumps.  And here is the testimonial of David Hamasaki, another clinic participant: "Hi Celia and gang, just wanted to let you know I rode Solstice last night and those last "little" rock drops at the end [which] are usually a little sketchy for me... not this time! Got balanced, got my weight back, and rode right over them, was so surprised, had to go back and try again, yep, nailed it!".
(The picture in this blog was taken by Andy Proctor)

Increasing Safety in Your Rides

Here is a testimonial from John Monroe, who has taken several of Mountain Biking Marin private and group clinics.  John likes to take risks and do difficult moves during his rides and our clinics helped him become a safer biker even when riding technical trails.

"I often use the things that Celia, Jackie, and Brian talked about in our classes. And you know what, my medical bills have dropped considerably!"

John Monroe

Mountain Bike Downhill Private Clinic in Marin

"In continuation of my back to basics bike skills discipline, I started to look around at clinics. Google graciously pointed me to Celia Graterol's website.  After reading one glowing testimonial after another I decided to sign up. I wanted to join those beaming people who's MTB lives had been improved at the hands of this Marin legend. So, after an introductory chat over the phone we arranged to meet at China Camp for some drills and practice. This was to be a precursor to a more downhill intensive session at Pacifica.

Having recently done the Bikeskills downhill clinic at Northstar, I knew the leaps and bounds possible from spending time with the pro's. But having focused, one on one attention makes a big difference. Celia quickly assessed my ability and we rode appropriate trails. Taking me to the edge of my comfort zone to make progress, but never out of my league. So the whole experience was extremely satisfying and rewarding. I learned a lot. I'm already looking forward to the Pacifica session. In fact I bought a new full face helmet and body armor in anticipation!"

Andy Proctor
Proc Mountaing Biking

Mountain Biking in the Winter

I WILL be riding this rainy season! I’m lucky to have some trails in Pebble Beach near my house which stay in pretty good shape and are a nice mix of riding. I am still practicing the skills Celia taught me, and have gotten much better at The Manual; I regularly clear obstacles I couldn’t before. Thanks!

I was talking to my brother the other day about coming up to ride Tamarancho with him as soon as both our schedules calm down a bit. I told him you mentioned the great switchbacks there and there are very few around here on the Monterey Peninsula.

Hope to connect with you again sometime on the trails! Say HI to Jackie for me, too.

Dave Whipple